Visual aesthetics in dementia1

Abstract

Many people with severe dementia use art materials in an untraditional way, or they become involved in exploring, selecting and combining objects that are put in front of them. The author has often found the results to be aesthetically satisfying. In this paper theories of beauty and aesthetics are explored, starting with the concept of 'form' and its relation to the artist's unconscious, moving to the core of aesthetic experience in the articulation of unconscious material. Ehrenzweig's (1967) stages of creativity are described and how Schaverien (1992) situates aesthetic experience within the art therapy relationship. This material is linked to a brief description of the areas of the brain associated with seeing, where there may be damage in dementia. Some art therapy sessions with three older people with dementia are described, linking their activities to the concepts described. The author suggests that these clients are indeed searching for something aesthetically satisfying (when they are emotionally able to do so), even though they may be unable to re-integrate what they have achieved. The drive for aesthetic pleasure is seen as an opportunity for art therapists to engage with clients who are in the later stages of dementia.

Art therapy for elderly women diagnosed with Alzheimers: A positive person-centred approach increases ease in the care process

“…Art via arttherapeutic processes can give to people an empowering healing process that makes meaning making easier and positive arts interventions promote psychological well-being Darewych et al [2]. Art and aesthetics, by stimulating creativity and embodiment, also re-educate people and facilitate social connections Byers et al [3][4][5][6][7][8]. In France, increasing numbers of suffering persons have used a non-pharmacological supportive aesthetic-based activity in healthcare called modern art therapy.…”

“…Evidence has suggested that aesthetic preferences and stimuli remain constant for people diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Byers et al [3][4][5][12][13][14][15]. Human beings, in spite of incredibly debilitating diseases, do not stop creating art.…”

“…People with neurological diseases continue to express themselves through art Miller [7] and to manage aesthetics Byers [3] as the degenerative illness progresses. Aesthetic experience lies in the articulation of unconscious processes Byers [3].…”

Expressing Food through Art: Evidence for a Nutrient-Specific Effect on Mood

“…While there are strong individual differences in how people regulate mood [6,7], the need to feel good and to enhance mood is a universal goal [8]. Among clinical and nonclinical populations, evidence suggests that expressing emotion in art can significantly enhance mood [9,10], with many effects of enhanced mood attributed to the visual aesthetics of the images depicted [11]. Because the visual aesthetics of food can increase brain reward responses [12] food intake [13] and enhance emotion [14], it appears possible, but yet-to-be-tested, that expressions of foods in art can also serve to enhance mood.…”

Preparatory planning framework for Created Out of Mind: Shaping perceptions of dementia through art and science

“…This potential is apparent in individuals who have had their creative abilities/interests blunted by dementia: the artist who loses the ability to perceive form and space, and the writer who can’t find her words (For further reading, please see Crutch et al , 2001 ; Garrard et al , 2005 ). Many people with deteriorating cognition pick up new artistic media to explore and convey their experiences, with some arguably even released into fresh creativity as a direct consequence of their degenerative illness ( Byers, 2011 ; Kapur et al , 2013 ; Young et al , 2016 ; Zeilig et al , 2014 ; see Figure 1 ). Artistic change in neurodegenerative conditions also provides powerful insights into the brain mechanisms underpinning specific art forms such as musical cognition ( Fletcher et al , 2015 ), as well as more general cultural attributes such as creativity and aesthetics ( Halpern et al , 2008 ; Halpern & O’Connor, 2013 ).…”