This multiple-case study examined the factors that influence activist artists in the production of their work. Four artists who were well established in their careers took part. The research was designed to gain insight into what motivates artists to become activists. The research methodology was rooted in qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological traditions with a descriptive, interpretative and exploratory approach, using data collected from in-depth interviews. This study sought to explore and synthesize common patterns and similarities of activist artists. Seven themes emerged: identity, place, and personality as style, life experience, world issues, community and change. Regarding activist artists using a variety of what is typically considered “style” to present their work, this study concluded that there are similarities that support the notion that activist artists can be seen as a group. / Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2010-01-27 15:59:37.792

This dissertation focuses on va-rious strategies of presenting identity in contemporary art and the current trend of forming its mutations and mystifications. It deals with approaches such as when the name of an artist is absent from his performance, various forms of concealment, and the subsequent detection of an artist. The term “anonymity” is not examined as its mere literal definition, but it subsequently forks into other related meanings. The introduction points at our daily meetings with anonymity, the condensation of information stemming from all spheres including the sphere of visual arts. The subject of the dissertation is explored though the influence of media operating at a given time (time-specific) and a given place (site-specific): here and now. The text primarily deals with the phenomenon of being “anonymous”. While examining this topic, the period starting with the 1990s is discussed and supplemented by examples from the history of Slovak, Czech, and international visual art with extensions to literature, music and film. It closely focuses on the following four bi-polar forms of anonymity: celebrity / anonymous artist, art groups / collective exhibitions, street art / net art, signature art / untitled art. These terms are defined and organized into dictionary entries (containing both names of artists and definitions of terms). Comprising of over two hundred words, a hybrid thematic dictionary has been produced. It consists of already existing definitions taken from the Slovak and Czech mutations of Wikipedia which are quoted with consistence with each entry. The collaboration with Wikipedia is based on subsequent addition of the author’s definitions and thus supplements it with missing information from the sphere of visual arts. The text also deals with a current trend of renaming as a symbol of a hegemonic tool of power. The terms a.k.a., name, monogram, nick, and pseudonym are explored.

Tesis por compendio / [ES] El aumento del envejecimiento de la población a nivel mundial y la limitada eficacia de los tratamientos disponibles para la demencia plantean la necesidad de desarrollar intervenciones dirigidas al envejecimiento y a las enfermedades neurodegenerativas. También se hace necesario promover cambios relacionados con la percepción negativa sobre la vejez en la sociedad. Ante estos planteamientos se está informando de los posibles beneficios terapéuticos de las intervenciones basadas en las artes, como la arteterapia, en la promoción de la salud, prevención de la demencia y manejo de la sintomatología asociada. Debido al interés de este tema nos propusimos evaluar los principales efectos de la arteterapia en el envejecimiento y enfermedades neurodegenerativas, analizar los posibles beneficios de esta terapia dirigida a personas mayores durante la pandemia y conocer los efectos del arte respuesta como activismo artístico para promover el cambio social en los estereotipos asociados al envejecimiento. Con el fin de alcanzar estos objetivos se plantearon 5 estudios que han dado lugar a los 5 artículos publicados en revistas de impacto que componen la tesis doctoral. El primer estudio incluye una revisión sistemática que analiza los beneficios de la arteterapia en personas con Enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA): los resultados informan de mejoras en bienestar, calidad de vida, estado anímico y depresión. El segundo artículo muestra un estudio de un caso de Parálisis Supranuclear Progresiva (un parkinsonismo atípico) evaluando posibles beneficios de la arteterapia en la sintomatología asociada a la enfermedad. Los resultados informan de mejoras significativas en expresión emocional, aspectos conductuales y relaciones sociales. El tercer trabajo analiza la relación entre EA y el duelo crónico basándose en un estudio de caso de EA, evaluando los efectos de la arteterapia en los síntomas cognitivos, somáticos y psicológicos. Se observó un impacto positivo en la expresión emocional, aspectos cognitivos (concentración, control, memoria), relaciones sociales y cambios en el sentido de identidad. El cuarto estudio describe una intervención de arteterapia en un grupo de mujeres de edad avanzada realizada durante las restricciones impuestas por la pandemia analizando las dificultades asociadas a este periodo y proponiendo su abordaje a través de la arteterapia. Los resultados sugieren mejoras en aspectos cognitivos (concentración, memoria y atención), expresión e identificación emocional, socialización y disminución de la ansiedad. El quinto estudio consta de dos proyectos relacionados (exposición virtual y talleres intergeneracionales) que tienen como denominador común el arte respuesta como activismo artístico, promoviendo la concienciación y el cambio social, y utilizando el arte respuesta para dar sentido y significado a las reflexiones relacionadas con el envejecimiento. Las experiencias incluidas en las 5 publicaciones contribuyen a generar avance del conocimiento acerca de las posibles aplicaciones de la arteterapia en el envejecimiento, enfermedades neurodegenerativas y prevención de la demencia. También se muestra su utilidad para contrarrestar la privación sensorial y social que conllevan las situaciones de crisis como las vividas durante la pandemia. Además, se han diseñado intervenciones basadas en el activismo artístico que pueden contribuir a desafiar estereotipos y superar actitudes negativas de la sociedad hacia la vejez. En futuros estudios sería de interés realizar intervenciones en muestras más amplias y con seguimiento longitudinal, así como el uso complementario de biomarcadores o técnicas de neuroimagen para evaluar los resultados de la intervención en la población de edad avanzada. Estas intervenciones arteterapéuticas pueden contribuir a crear experiencias participativas intergeneracionales basadas en las artes sobre la experiencia del envejecimiento / [CA] L'augment de l'envelliment de la població a nivell mundial i la limitada eficàcia dels tractaments disponibles per a la demència plantegen la necessitat de desenvolupar intervencions dirigides a l'envelliment i a les malalties neurodegeneratives. També es fa necessari promoure canvis relacionats amb la percepció negativa sobre la vellesa en la societat. Davant estos plantejaments s'està informant dels possibles beneficis terapèutics de les intervencions basades en les arts, com l'artteràpia, en la promoció de la salut, prevenció de la demència i maneig de la simptomatologia associada. A causa de l'interés d'este tema ens vam proposar avaluar els principals efectes de l'artteràpia en l'envelliment i malalties neurodegeneratives, analitzar els possibles beneficis d'esta teràpia dirigida a persones majors durant la pandèmia i conéixer els efectes de l'art resposta com a activisme artístic per a promoure el canvi social en els estereotips associats a l'envelliment. Amb la finalitat d'aconseguir estos objectius es van plantejar 5 estudis que han donat lloc als 5 articles publicats en revistes d'impacte que componen la tesi doctoral. El primer estudi inclou una revisió sistemàtica que analitza els beneficis de l'artteràpia en persones amb Malaltia d'Alzheimer: els resultats informen de millores en benestar, qualitat de vida, estat anímic i depressió. El segon article mostra un estudi de cas de Paràlisis Supranuclear Progressiva (un parkinsonisme atípic) avaluant possibles beneficis de l'artteràpia en la simptomatologia associada a la malaltia. Els resultats informen de millores significatives en expressió emocional, aspectes conductuals i relacions socials. El tercer treball analitza la relació entre Malaltia d'Alzheimer i el dol crònic basant-se en un estudi de un cas de Malaltia d'Alzheimer, avaluant els efectes de l'artteràpia en els símptomes cognitius, somàtics i psicològics. Es va observar un impacte positiu en l'expressió emocional, aspectes cognitius (concentració, control, memòria), relacions socials i canvis en el sentit d'identitat. El quart estudi descriu una intervenció d'artteràpia en un grup de dones d'edat avançada realitzada durant les restriccions imposades per la pandèmia analitzant les dificultats associades a este període i proposant el seu abordatge a través de l'artteràpia. Els resultats suggerixen millores en aspectes cognitius (concentració, memòria i atenció), expressió i identificació emocional, socialització i disminució de l'ansietat. El quint estudi consta de dos projectes relacionats (exposició virtual i tallers intergeneracionals) que tenen com a denominador comú l'art resposta com a activisme artístic, promovent la conscienciació i canvi social, i utilitzant l'art resposta per a donar sentit i significat a les reflexions relacionades amb l'envelliment. Les experiències incloses en les 5 publicacions contribuïxen a generar avanç del coneixement sobre les possibles aplicacions de l'artteràpia en l'envelliment, malalties neurodegeneratives i prevenció de la demència. També es mostra la seua utilitat per a contrarestar la privació sensorial i social que comporten les situacions de crisis com les viscudes durant la pandèmia. A més, s'han dissenyat intervencions basades en l'activisme artístic que poden contribuir a desafiar estereotips i superar actituds negatives de la societat cap a la vellesa. En futurs estudis seria d'interés realitzar intervencions en mostres més àmplies i amb seguiment longitudinal, així com l'ús complementari de biomarcadors o tècniques de neuroimatgeria per a avaluar els resultats de la intervenció en la població d'edat avançada. Estes intervencions artterapèutiques poden contribuir a crear experiències participatives intergeneracionals basades en les arts sobre l'experiència de l'envelliment / [EN] The increasing aging of the world's population and the limited effectiveness of available treatments for dementia increase the need to develop interventions that target aging and neurodegenerative diseases. There is also a need to promote changes in negative societal perceptions of old age. In light of these approaches, the potential therapeutic benefits of arts-based interventions, such as art therapy, in health promotion, dementia prevention and management of associated symptoms are being reported. Due to the interest of this topic, we proposed to evaluate the main effects of art therapy in ageing and neurodegenerative diseases, to analyze the possible benefits of this therapy for older people during the pandemic, and to know the effects of response art as artistic activism to promote social change in the stereotypes associated with ageing. In order to achieve these objectives, 5 studies were proposed, which gave rise to the 5 articles published in high impact journals that make up the thesis. The first study is a systematic review analyzing the benefits of art therapy in people with Alzheimer's disease: the results report improvements in well-being, quality of life, mood and depression. The second article presents a case study of a person living with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (atypical parkinsonism), evaluating the potential benefits of art therapy on the symptomatology associated with the disease. The results report significant improvements in emotional expression, behavioral aspects and social relationships. The third paper analyses the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and chronic grief based on a case study of a woman diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, evaluating the effects of art therapy on cognitive, somatic and psychological symptoms. Positive effects were observed on emotional expression, cognitive aspects (concentration, control, memory), social relationships and changes in sense of identity. The fourth study describes an art therapy intervention with a group of old women, carried out during the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, analyzing the difficulties associated with this period and proposing an approach through art therapy. The results suggest improvements in cognitive aspects (concentration, memory and attention), emotional expression and identification, socialization and reduction of anxiety. The fifth study consists of two related projects (virtual exhibition and intergenerational workshops) that share the common denominator of Response Art as artistic activism, promoting awareness and social change, and using Response Art to give sense and meaning to reflections related to aging. The experiences included in the 5 publications contribute to the advancement of knowledge about the possible applications of art therapy in ageing, neurodegenerative diseases and dementia prevention. They also demonstrate its usefulness in counteracting the sensory and social deprivation associated with crisis situations such as those experienced during the pandemic. In addition, interventions based on artistic activism have been developed that can help to challenge stereotypes and overcome negative societal attitudes towards old age. In future studies, it would be interesting to carry out interventions in larger samples and with longitudinal follow-up, as well as the complementary use of biomarkers or neuroimaging techniques to assess the results of the intervention with older people. These art-therapeutic interventions can contribute to the creation of art-based intergenerational participatory experiences of aging / Marco Martínez, P. (2024). Arteterapia en el envejecimiento y enfermedades neurodegenerativas. Experiencias basadas en la prevención, intervención y el activismo artístico [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/206125 / Compendio

The research is based on the belief that the Earth's survival is reliant on an understanding of the interconnectedness between people and the planet. The premise that creative expression is an inherent need in human beings and a powerful agent for social change is at the core of this study. The arts permeate all aspects of life and can play a positive pro-active role in economic and social upliftment. The study therefore explored a contemporary public context in which artists intervene in society to provide practical and functional social spaces but also, with the ecological crisis of the planet, to create an awareness of the interconnectedness of life. Place-making was of specific concern and one of the aims was to examine ways of re-shaping the appearance and meaning of public spaces. An equally important issue was the role and responsibility of both the artist and the commissioning process in a social context and the relevance of individual expression as modes of addressing social concerns and as a tool of public empowerment within a new democratic South Africa that can have a genuine impact on community well-being and social inclusion. The research therefore exists in between the arts, social sciences and the ecology of place: that is, the understanding of the role of creative intervention within social spaces. The study provides a historical context and development of new trends in public and collaborative community arts, contextualises the notion of public and argues for a repositioning of assessment criteria for the arts within a social public domain and in the interest of the people. It is based on a critical survey of international collaborative arts and its potential as a guide to alternative solutions and implementation within a South African context for creative interventions and regeneration of public spaces and empowerment and capacity building of its citizens. The research discusses the relevance and the position of the arts and craft industry as a means of poverty alleviation, job creation and empowerment in South Africa. Rebuilding community demands both the rejuvenation of social spaces and the restoration of community esteem together with mutual and self-respect. / Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology / D. Litt. et Phil (Art History)

The research is based on the belief that the Earth's survival is reliant on an understanding of the interconnectedness between people and the planet. The premise that creative expression is an inherent need in human beings and a powerful agent for social change is at the core of this study. The arts permeate all aspects of life and can play a positive pro-active role in economic and social upliftment. The study therefore explored a contemporary public context in which artists intervene in society to provide practical and functional social spaces but also, with the ecological crisis of the planet, to create an awareness of the interconnectedness of life. Place-making was of specific concern and one of the aims was to examine ways of re-shaping the appearance and meaning of public spaces. An equally important issue was the role and responsibility of both the artist and the commissioning process in a social context and the relevance of individual expression as modes of addressing social concerns and as a tool of public empowerment within a new democratic South Africa that can have a genuine impact on community well-being and social inclusion. The research therefore exists in between the arts, social sciences and the ecology of place: that is, the understanding of the role of creative intervention within social spaces. The study provides a historical context and development of new trends in public and collaborative community arts, contextualises the notion of public and argues for a repositioning of assessment criteria for the arts within a social public domain and in the interest of the people. It is based on a critical survey of international collaborative arts and its potential as a guide to alternative solutions and implementation within a South African context for creative interventions and regeneration of public spaces and empowerment and capacity building of its citizens. The research discusses the relevance and the position of the arts and craft industry as a means of poverty alleviation, job creation and empowerment in South Africa. Rebuilding community demands both the rejuvenation of social spaces and the restoration of community esteem together with mutual and self-respect. / Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology / D. Litt. et Phil (Art History)