What is Artistic Therapy?

Before considering its application to therapy it is necessary to make clear what we mean by ‘artistic', for this attribute, we believe, ought to be taken in a much wider sense than when applied to art which today is thought of as a mere adjunct to life. Not only art can be artistic but, according to our view, also a conversation, a letter, a garden or a house, even laying the table can be done artistically, thereby raising ordinary routine to the level of an unique and festive act. Before the machine age workers in the various trades were known as art-isans. They wished to give to their piece of work that extra dimension which would place it above mere usefulness.

This wish to go beyond what is only useful is not a luxury, but springs from a truly human need. The creative will wants to bestow upon the world of appearances a higher principle which otherwise would remain hidden - and the means of making this visible (or audible) lies in an artistic deed. It brings something entirely new into our life and is capable of speaking to human hearts since it is itself born of love. Within the tempo, the distractions and mediocrity of modern life we have let ourselves be deprived of the elevating experience of working artistically. It is now time that we should reassert our human right to find at least some time, possibly on a regular basis, when we let our subdued heart-forces speak again.

What is a desirable activity in our stressful society can be regarded as a necessity for one who has fallen ill. Creativity in itself can then be beneficial as a patient diverts his attention from his illness to an artistic task. For this reason alone, occupational and creative therapies have their place and are available today in most hospitals. They have a freeing effect and allow the healing forces to work more deeply.

What is it that distinguishes Artistic Therapy from those other therapies? It is built upon the knowledge derived from the discovery of the threefold human nature by Rudolf Steiner. This provides us with a firm basis from which a variety of artistic means can be employed and sustained for healing with a clear sense of direction and purpose. It is now possible for the anthroposophically trained medical practitioner and the artistic therapist to work together in such a way that they can find an effective complement in each other's treatment. The physician will be able to work more directly upon the patient's physical organism through forces made available by anthroposophic medicines, while the artistic therapist by activating the same forces in the soul of the patient, will reinforce their curative value by carefully chosen exercises in a suitable medium.

What is meant by 'the same forces'? This expression only makes sense when we take into account the fact that man is the mirror of the universe. What in former times was a common belief based upon people's communion with nature, has received scientific backing from the investigations by Rudolf Steiner who, through spiritual vision, gained access to those forces which elude ordinary scientific research. He reaffirmed the connections that exist between cosmos and man, in particular the sun, moon and planets with the human organism - not in a vague sort of manner, but describing these correspondences in great detail. He worked together with experienced medical practitioners and gave suggestions for the preparation of certain new medicines, often natural substances in homoeopathic form. On the other hand, Rudolf Steiner indicated the importance of artistic activities, which favoured healing. His indications were taken up" [1] elaborated over the years and can now be used in practical and effective ways.

Media used by the Artistic Therapist

Many of the stress-related illnesses of modern times show up as disturbed rhythmic processes in the human organism, particularly in breathing. The activity of Painting with watercolour becomes a joyful and relaxing experience for the patient, restoring a healthy balance between in- and out-breathing. Since in this work no actual outlines are made, the colours themselves are form-producing as they 'speak' one to the other. The patient is stimulated by the intrinsic quality of each colour. The range of colours is traditionally divided into the 'warm' colours (red, orange, yellow) and the cold ones (blue, violet, indigo) with green intermediate between the two kinds. In general, the warm shades are warming for the 'cold' illnesses (rheumatism, cancer etc.), while the cool colours have a cooling, calming effect on everything that tends to inflammation. A variety of techniques in painting are moreover available for specific illnesses.

A very different stimulus is provided by the activity of Modelling, generally with clay. This "has an especially regenerating effect on the human life forces" [ii] [1]since it requires an energetic application in giving this lifeless material its form. Will-forces are invoked which work beneficially on the realm of metabolism and limbs. As the patient becomes aware of the nature of convex and concave forms, he/she enters into a balanced relationship between inner and outer.

More recently, the therapeutic effectiveness of Drawing has been discovered and elaborated. There are seven different techniques available, the resulting activities of which lead the patient into realms corresponding to the workings of the seven planets. As one example, there is Dynamic Drawing, which "is the type of drawing that most clearly corresponds with Mercury. In lines that weave in and out of one another it flows in a coming and going of continuous movement. In a breathing process resembling that of the lungs, rhythmic movements appear on paper, reminiscent of the tracks made by skaters on ice. These can be seen in the illustration. Rising and failing, watery lines reveal processes that take place inside a tree or other plant. Images of coming into being and dying away are made. Space is dissolved into movement which belongs to time. This type of drawing has much in common with eurythmy, with dance and vibrant sound. This is the home of Mercury, messenger of the Gods; he breathes new life into anything fixed and finished. The play of lines is like the metal mercury rising and failing, spreading and gathering itself together again. It challenges us to inner mobility and makes us rejoice in being alive." [iii]

It can readily be understood that this manner of drawing can be of real help to one whose psyche or body has been subjected to an excessive hardening in a corresponding illness. [1]

The Therapist

According to the therapist's medical information supplied by the doctor and his own evaluation of the patient's needs, a choice is made of the most suitable medium in which the patient can work for a start. Then as work proceeds other ways can be added. The therapist will set particular tasks for the patient but within this prescription the patient is allowed to work in freedom, with the therapist accompanying him along his path of development, acting as a guide in the process. 'A main requirement for the therapist is not in the first place to be a great artist, but to be a free human being who is continuously testing and schooling himself. Interest in and understanding of other people beyond sympathy or antipathy, warmth of heart, imagination and a sense of humour are necessary faculties which create the positive atmosphere in which artistic therapy can successfully be employed. Knowledge of the right exercises and techniques is another side of the profession. All the tasks which the therapist gives to the patient must be meaningful. He himself must have had experiences of every exercise. This does not mean to say that he cannot invent variations on exercises in order to keep these alive for himself and for the other person. The study to become an artistic therapist is quite extensive and demanding. But just because of this, one can put one's whole being into it and constantly grow oneself."

Gert Christeller 

References

[1][i] Dr. Margarethe Hauschka was a pioneer in this field and her indications became the seeds from which artistic therapy was to develop over the next forty years to the present time.

[ii] Eva Mees-Christeller, Practice of Artistic Therapy, Mercury Press, 1985.

[iii] Eva Mees-Christeller, Planetary Influences and Therapeutic Drawing in: Journal of Anthroposophic Medicine, California, Vol.10, Nr.4, 1993.

[iv] University of Spiritual Science in Switzerland and Centre of the Anthroposophical