The Big Idea

Figure 1

My Project

            When I started this MA I had a few ideas in mind for a project.  Nothing seemed to solidify, however, so I kept my mind open during our first couple of weeks.  The section on 'The Global Image' really got me thinking.  What is the potential global impact for my particular photography?  At the same time, through a random play of events I was introduced to programs and studies involving Healing Art or Healing Images.

Studies in hospital environments shows the effects of creating an ‘healing environment’ by adding art to a previous sterile or plain environment.  The research suggested that adding art to the environment, particularly in medical facilities, had the following effects:

1. Reduce stress and anxiety.
2. Lower blood pressure.
3. Reduce need for pain medication.
4. Increase patients’ trust and confidence.
5. Be a positive distraction for patients, visitors, and staff.

          (See https://healingphotoart.org/about-us/scientific-evidence)

The art preferred in the order of preference was:

1. Nature landscapes (most popular)
2. Animals
3. Scenes of everyday life
4. Portraits
5. Urban landscapes
6. Abstract (least popular)

          (See https://healingphotoart.org/about-us/scientific-evidence)

       As this movement progresses a few organizations offer specially created photographic art at-cost to facilities in need such as :

www.ArtforHealing.org

www.HealingPhotoArt.org

www.HealingImages.org

But in each of these, the art for children is quite underrepresented. In Nancy Klein’s book Healing Images For Children; Teaching Relaxation and Guided Imagery to Children Facing Cancer and Other Serious Illness it states:

The immune system does no operate independently from the rest of the body or mind.  If you are experiencing stress and feel anxious or worried, chemicals such epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol are produced and then received by cells all over the body.  When the cells in the immune system receive these chemicals, immune function may be suppressed.  However, optimistic emotions produce favorable chemicals such as interferons and interleukins.  When cells in the immune system receive these chemicals, the immune system is strengthened (Klein 2001).

Much research has been done and is quite conclusive that art and design can affect healing and help one fight off disease as well as all around provide a more positive experience, children included.

My goal would to create a series of images using nature and animals  and other elements of  imagination, with a whimsical aspect to encourage and elicit feelings of calmness, relaxation, hope and imagination to increase healing and patience and lesson the emotional anxieties the child may be experiencing.  I see these distributed in large prints released as a series or individually to facilities that deal with children in high-anxiety environments; such as hospitals, care centers, crisis centers etc.  I hope to use children to model in the images that have actually been or currently are experiencing hard things in life and to couple the images with positive self statements such as, “I am strong.” 

                                                                 "I Am Brave"*
                                    Figure 2

UPDATE:

I presented my idea in the webinar today and I had some really great responses, concerns and suggestions.  Overall it was well received as good idea.  One concern addressed was the suggestion that I don't include the quotes or positive self statements on the images because they may be a distraction.  A possible option would be to include all the images together in a book with the quotes there. Another argument for dropping the self statements is that my images are strong and speak for themselves.  When I explained that I would like to use children for the models that have actually been through or are going through a hard thing (such as a childhood illness etc) Michelle suggested that I let the children be active in driving the creation of the image itself and what it contains.  I like this idea very much.  She also suggested I add a deeper level of discovery within the image with clues to the struggle of the child featured. 
Michelle also gave me these names which I will research in a post in the Contextual Research section of this blog:
Anthony Luvera
Loretta Lux
Gina Glover
Lori Nix

I am feeling encouraged that my project seems to be begun and nervous at the same time.  It adds extra pressure for me to include these children and their families wherein if you take a picture of a doorway and it doesn't turn out you move on- I feel a lot more pressure when your subject is a potentially sick or struggling child and their family!! But I am excited at the prospect of what might be accomplished upon completion.




Works referenced:
    
        Klein, Nancy.  Healing Images for Children: Teaching Relaxation and Guided Imagery to Children Facing Cancer and Other Serious Illnesses. Wisconsin: Inner Coaching, 2001.

       Figure 1: Little Flyer's Club by Brenda Slade, 2017
       Figure 2: Little Flyer by Brenda Slade, 2017