Music, Art & Mental Health (art theory)
tremors
Posts: 8,051
I've written something about this before; and maybe this should be in the 'reasoned debate' section, but I think it sits better here. (Put it down as humble 'art theory' if you like!!) Something for the artists.
To try and say something briefly – I think that art can be particularly positive for your mental health, music in particular. Quite a lot has been done on the therapeutic effects of 'instrumental' music in calming us, promoting positive feelings etc. For instance, Britain's famous 'Knebworth' concerts have often been put on in order to benefit the 'Nordoff-Robbins' charity which has done a lot of work to heal trauma, isolation and 'emotional alienation' through working with music with children and adults.
However, I think less has been written or discussed about the therapeutic value of 'lyric-based' music..... the power of music with WORDS as well as harmonies.
For me, this is a critical issue – where it is the power of music with particularly strong words in moments of despair, confusion, trauma and anxiety to reach you and to help you heal. For example, within states of 'Psychosis', it can be impossible to 'think', to function or communicate on the normal range of human interaction, and you become isolated, locked in your own world, bewildered, desperate and terrified. On top of this, to the outside world you are just plain 'mad' and nothing you can say or do can convince people that there is a real tiny human being, a real 'voice' inside you.
This is where another 'voice' – the voice of a Vedder, a Townshend, a Lennon, a Springteen, a Tori Amos can come in and help you, rescue you. Because in a psychotic state your reasoning and very thinking is disrupted, corrupted, twisted – even if some of this can also be a 'revelatory' state in the same way that 'visionaries' of the past perceived things in a heightened altered state (there's not much room for this in modern life unfortunately!!) What strong singing with strong words can do is to enter into your reasoning, your 'brain', your distant mind, and provide some building blocks for more functional reasoning – ideas, words, thoughts which you can build on, perspectives which can reach you and carry you back to safety.
I have always found within psychotic states that NOTHING can reach you if it doesn't speak directly to where you actually are – no amount of medicine, chat, talking or ideas can reach you on the 'earth' if you are actually on the moon. What you need to hear is sounds from the moon – the sound of something 'right where you are'. If you hear a story, words, singing from a place which seems to be about a place where you are – which seems able to describe exactly what you are feeling, despite your alienation and confusion – then you can grab hold of it, run with it – and listen for more. It can be a guide back to the shore.....
The 'voice' in particular I think can have a reassuring and calming effect in these states – voice is one of the first things people with hearing pick up from their parents – pre linguistic, pre reasoning, pre reading obviously. So, in states of psychic isolation, a strong musical voice with words you understand can not only bring understanding, but with the music can also soothe wounds, bring you 'down' from traumatic heightened states, and crucially help you to communicate again with the outside world, with increased insight, understanding and thought. Having a musical 'script' to draw on – to play in a loop when the world is collapsing around you, really can save your life.
Not sure where this thread is going – but it is more about the theories of art, theories of art and therapy than it is about reasoned debate I think, so if anyone wants to add their own experiences ideas or views about the healing power of art, I would be interested to hear from them. (If this thread gets moved to the Moving Train I will probably delete it by the way!!)
To try and say something briefly – I think that art can be particularly positive for your mental health, music in particular. Quite a lot has been done on the therapeutic effects of 'instrumental' music in calming us, promoting positive feelings etc. For instance, Britain's famous 'Knebworth' concerts have often been put on in order to benefit the 'Nordoff-Robbins' charity which has done a lot of work to heal trauma, isolation and 'emotional alienation' through working with music with children and adults.
However, I think less has been written or discussed about the therapeutic value of 'lyric-based' music..... the power of music with WORDS as well as harmonies.
For me, this is a critical issue – where it is the power of music with particularly strong words in moments of despair, confusion, trauma and anxiety to reach you and to help you heal. For example, within states of 'Psychosis', it can be impossible to 'think', to function or communicate on the normal range of human interaction, and you become isolated, locked in your own world, bewildered, desperate and terrified. On top of this, to the outside world you are just plain 'mad' and nothing you can say or do can convince people that there is a real tiny human being, a real 'voice' inside you.
This is where another 'voice' – the voice of a Vedder, a Townshend, a Lennon, a Springteen, a Tori Amos can come in and help you, rescue you. Because in a psychotic state your reasoning and very thinking is disrupted, corrupted, twisted – even if some of this can also be a 'revelatory' state in the same way that 'visionaries' of the past perceived things in a heightened altered state (there's not much room for this in modern life unfortunately!!) What strong singing with strong words can do is to enter into your reasoning, your 'brain', your distant mind, and provide some building blocks for more functional reasoning – ideas, words, thoughts which you can build on, perspectives which can reach you and carry you back to safety.
I have always found within psychotic states that NOTHING can reach you if it doesn't speak directly to where you actually are – no amount of medicine, chat, talking or ideas can reach you on the 'earth' if you are actually on the moon. What you need to hear is sounds from the moon – the sound of something 'right where you are'. If you hear a story, words, singing from a place which seems to be about a place where you are – which seems able to describe exactly what you are feeling, despite your alienation and confusion – then you can grab hold of it, run with it – and listen for more. It can be a guide back to the shore.....
The 'voice' in particular I think can have a reassuring and calming effect in these states – voice is one of the first things people with hearing pick up from their parents – pre linguistic, pre reasoning, pre reading obviously. So, in states of psychic isolation, a strong musical voice with words you understand can not only bring understanding, but with the music can also soothe wounds, bring you 'down' from traumatic heightened states, and crucially help you to communicate again with the outside world, with increased insight, understanding and thought. Having a musical 'script' to draw on – to play in a loop when the world is collapsing around you, really can save your life.
Not sure where this thread is going – but it is more about the theories of art, theories of art and therapy than it is about reasoned debate I think, so if anyone wants to add their own experiences ideas or views about the healing power of art, I would be interested to hear from them. (If this thread gets moved to the Moving Train I will probably delete it by the way!!)
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music, poetry, and art -for me it is very calming and life saving, in so many ways. I'm sure many feel the same way.
as does any art
Poetry lends itself as
medicine for the heart.
A vastness of respect and awe
For those who can express
Thoughts and visions
so much more than less
While poetry can heal the heart
music will open the soul’s door
Whether by dance or by song
Only then will the soul truly soar.
"what a long, strange trip it's been"
Thanks
Send my credentials to the house of detention
:thumbup:
Send my credentials to the house of detention
your message here made me crying.
i cried for hours last night, soft tears and love tears.
ed and friends
the love was making music for all of us
and i still cry like a baby right now as i listen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc7WHldC2_A
this calms me when i am in serious circles and deep spirals of twisting
and that true
lately people have been saving me
funny... im finally saving myself
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
that is an unpleasant road and no thank you.
i became quite good at painting and even sold some pieces.
painting with stereo cranked... rule
incense burning
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
Chadwick, Chadwick,
You're great
Send my credentials to the house of detention
its truth
art is where it's at
whatever it takes
the madness of it
consumes
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
Consumed by black
consumed by sanity
Consuming self
Madness leaps
From the embers of despair
Igniting passion within the depths
Triggered by one spark
All it takes is one spark
Madness hopes
And yet, I must come down
If I want to live
Send my credentials to the house of detention
What's better than a cigar? Ed with a sitar
do not
you cannot
you mustn’t
it is why some fail at blending with society and filling society's expectations.
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
let's rock.
i am excited at this notion
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
let go and let the Universal Spirit guide you...I suffer desperately, you are good....assuming a great human being....just think of this time as a phase of life....tomorrow is a new day xx
What's better than a cigar? Ed with a sitar
Unfortunately when I enter 'altered states' they lock me up, beat the shit out of me, pin me down and stick needles in my backside until I stop shouting at them (which can take a while)
Also unfortunately, in a mental hospital, 'anger' is equated with 'unwellness' . And it's very easy to be angry there when you are treated like this.
Send my credentials to the house of detention
Well, take good care of yourself....I understand anger and "authority"...to have your rights taken away and then put away is the most degrading thing possible....especially when family agrees
What's better than a cigar? Ed with a sitar
Send my credentials to the house of detention
Eat
Put on some music
Write a poem
and talk to friends
If it doesn't work
Read the bloody Bible
Then talk to friends
If it doesn't work,
read the bloody bible
It works
Repeat as necessary
Until symptoms pass
Oh, and read the bloody Bible
Send my credentials to the house of detention
What's better than a cigar? Ed with a sitar
I understand...they can keep you for however long they want....unfair
What's better than a cigar? Ed with a sitar
Job is good. If I could only take one book with me for the rest of my life though, it would be the New International Version (NIV) translation of the Gospels. If you read it with an open mind it delivers rich rich dividends. Jesus describes himself as 'the Son of Man' - interpreted by Christians as 'the Son of God', but was equally a phrase accurately translated as 'The Son of Humanity'. You can choose which is a better translation when you read it.
Send my credentials to the house of detention
Jesus is good...I only read the beatitudes....
What's better than a cigar? Ed with a sitar
Wish you were here...
♥~RIP Dad
Hey HSB! nice to see you over these parts. Thanks for what you said. I knew it would only be a matter of time before you came back with your 'traffic stoppping' avatars btw
Send my credentials to the house of detention
still ..I think... I'm unable to say what I mean
peace be with you
the one i know is my own
so that's where i will go...
my inner energy is a chaotic twist
do you people feel this?
right this instant i am a terrific tornado blasting
how i control myself is mysterious & miraculous, i haven't a clue
do you people share this energy?
what is the answer?
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
Peace be with you acrossOceans - thanks - am feeling some love, peace, trust and understanding. It makes me glad I woke up this morning
Send my credentials to the house of detention
I knew it was worth writing this thread!
The answer
The answer is
We just don't know
Caught in an inner world
A maelstrom so violent
It seems unimaginable that
Nobody else can sense our pain.
Storms raging
Trees crashing
Teeth gritting
Eyes rolling
I reach out my hand
My face stretches
Eyebrows touching the ceiling
Hear me
I reach out my hand
And you say
'DId you have a nice day?'
Send my credentials to the house of detention
He babbled like a radio scanning every station
Beautifully garbled his words
Spun in every direction
Me lapping up his images
One in ten hit me like a punch in the face
With absolute sense
I asked him
'Who are you man?'
He said
'I'm you t'
Send my credentials to the house of detention
By a couple of pretty nurses
'Where are you going man?'
I shouted
'Barbados'
He said, and waved.
'See you in a couple of hours then'
I said
'Yep'
He said
Send my credentials to the house of detention
this should be it
i suppose
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce