The Importance of Tactile Sensations in Art Therapy
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Chapter 1: The Rise of Handmade
Have you ever wondered why handmade items are gaining popularity? While you might already have an idea, there's a deeper reason for this trend. Recently, while waiting for a colleague, I found myself bored in a waiting room for a couple of hours. I occupied myself with a book, checked my email, and observed the fish in an aquarium. For a fleeting moment, I felt as if I, too, were living in an aquarium, separated by the glass. This metaphor mirrors our lives today; we often find ourselves isolated in our "aquariums," surrounded by digital screens at home, schools, hospitals, cafes, and airports. These screens create a false sense of a fulfilling life.
Being enclosed in our "aquariums" has led to a disconnect from the tangible aspects of life. We have become accustomed to visual experiences at the expense of touch, resulting in a flat, glass-like existence. The lack of physical connection means that hugs and tactile interactions have become rare, leading to what is known as tactile hunger.
Section 1.1: The Science Behind Tactile Hunger
Years ago, researcher Harry Harlow conducted groundbreaking studies with infant monkeys that radically changed our understanding of affection and contact. In one part of his experiment, baby monkeys were isolated and divided into two groups. One group was cared for by a metal wire surrogate that provided food, while the other had a soft fabric surrogate that offered warmth but no nourishment. Surprisingly, the little monkeys preferred to cling to the soft mother, only going to the wire one for food. This finding underscored the critical nature of warmth and touch; without these, neither animals nor humans can thrive.
Tactile sensations form the core of our awareness of the world around us and our internal states—hunger, cold, needs, and desires. Through touch, we navigate both our environment and our bodies. Touch evokes early bodily memories and fosters a sense of trust, affection, and love. It reassures us that we are safe and valued.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Role of Art Therapy
The more tactile experiences we engage in, the better we understand ourselves through our bodies rather than our minds. Consequently, contemporary art therapists utilize not just traditional tools like pencils and paints, but also various natural materials to stimulate a broader range of tactile sensations. For instance, the warm texture of natural wool can evoke nostalgic feelings and ease anxiety, while creating collages from plant materials can have calming effects on both physical and emotional well-being.
Engaging with clay offers a therapeutic outlet for expressing emotions and meeting needs. The hands-on movements involved in manipulating clay help release bodily tensions at multiple levels. Tactile perception is fundamentally distinct from visual perception; it provides information that is more grounded in reality. Our hands, even before a baby can focus its gaze, are already exploring the world.
Section 1.2: Healing Through Touch
For adults, the importance of touch remains significant, even though it may not be the primary mode of interacting with the world. Touch is restorative and enriches our experience of life.
How can we alleviate tactile hunger and regain a more dimensional view of our surroundings? Here are some suggestions:
- Walk barefoot
- Engage in activities with your eyes closed
- Attend pottery workshops
- Create art with wool
- Design a mini sensory garden
- Collect sea stones
- Make a mosaic
- Nurture plants
- Spend time with pets
Chapter 2: Exploring Art Therapy Techniques
The first video titled "Foundations of Sensorimotor Expressive Arts Therapy with Dr. Cathy Malchiodi" delves into the foundational aspects of using art therapy to address tactile hunger and enhance emotional well-being.
The second video, "Art Therapy Exercise - Exploring Emotional Needs," provides practical exercises for exploring emotional needs through creative expression in art therapy.