The sense of being in a good place is powerful and energizing…life affirming.
Art powerfully influences sense of place and has the ability to transform and infuse an environment with beauty and a feeling of well-being.
With respect to the unique, ever changing, growing needs and competitive market place of healthcare facilities, there is an exciting opportunity to make a vital difference in the quality of the environment through pertinent art selection.
We are a firm believer in evidence-based design–the process of basing decisions about the built environment on credible research to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients, caregivers and staff. Proven design features do improve patient health, well-being and safety, as well as employee health and morale, including:
specific colors conducive to wellness
good natural lighting and soothing music
healing art choices: images that uplift the heart and ease the soul (such as peaceful scenes in nature)
All of these contribute to an environment with a holistic difference. (Holistic defined as something that is intimately interconnected and explicable only as referenced by the whole)
Art selection from this holistic vantage point benefits our physical health because it supports and maintains the intimate interconnected components of our spiritual and emotional well-being to our physical being.
As well as…
Art chosen within this context has a fresh new purpose as a primary focus in the design process, instead of being an afterthought just trying to find something to match the décor!
Because art affects us on these interconnected levels, it is important to consider each selection and placement thoughtfully.
In regards to quality of content, color and line…It is helpful to know in what ways these various components within each work are affecting us, what they communicate and how the art encourages specific emotional responses.
Content establishes a thought, feeling or tone. Is it a lonely, singular image? (As in an unoccupied seat in the distance) Or is it a simple close up nature image? Or a beautiful pastoral scene? These choices can invite sweet contemplative moments in the right context and in the right color range or it can feel lonely, disjointed. Are there connected, happy people? Are the scenes in nature dramatic or peaceful?
Color:
Studies show that our response to color affects our emotional state. Looking at a rainbow you notice that the warmer colors are closer to the earth and the cooler colors toward the “heavens”. Thus it is noted that in general the warmer colors of the spectrum create a happier, more open hearted and grounding physical response, creating a sense of warmth and connectedness. Whereas the cooler colors of the spectrum tend to illicit more mental, peaceful, introspective, spiritual responses. However, if they are too cool, or used disproportionately they can create a feeling of isolation, depression or detachment.
Line:
Horizontal lines…Images that reference the horizon help create stable balanced feelings. The horizon represents the physical plane of the earth, not only grounding us, but giving us space to visualize within.
Vertical lines… bring our attention up and connect us with an inspired, expansive, or spiritual quality of experience.
Diagonal lines…bring a very dynamic energy to an image. While the motion can activate our mental faculties, too much motion can cause unrest and confusion.
Mellow Curving lines… are the most soothing and comforting to us as they remind us of the human form and of earth: (Think rivers–there are no straight lines in nature).
Depending on which sector of healthcare you are designing for, using the above as guidelines can assist in selections that result in beautiful and exciting environments that support everyone in the space.
Hospital facilities do best when they select prints that are based on nature and a feeling of happiness and brightness. Especially in patient rooms – selecting prints with pathways and walkways or a scene where a patient can see them in- studies have shown it helps to reduce anxiety and stress.
Medical Offices & Clinics do best with selecting nature and familiar prints as well, scenes from the local area/community they service. Gone are the days of medical posters on the walls of the exam rooms. No one likes to see a doctor anyway and while waiting in the exam room, giving a patient something pleasant an uplifting helps to alleviate the anxiety before the doctor comes in.
Independent living facilities can incorporate more subjective styles of art, inciting contemplation or a sense of inquisition, inviting dialogue or a feeling of connecting with the pulse of an active modern art world. Local art in this context can be a great way to connect with sense of place.
Assisted living facilities might do best integrating an appropriate mix of subjective and objective art. While there may be a more limited physical mobility or need for assistance, they still have faculties intact and a soul desire to feel connected to this vibrant world. Given this sector in senior living might tend towards more feelings of isolation, these facilities would do well providing imagery that has a sense of connection to the vibrant natural world around them. Showing groupings of trees, people or flowers will reflect fullness. And using emotionally rich content, playful, colorful imagery can further provide a sense of well being and connection.
Alzheimers/Dementia facilities have the highest need for sensitivity in the way of choosing art skillfully. It is important to provide a sense of the familiar. These facilities need clear imagery and content versus confusing or busy abstract images, as well as the opportunity to “be here now” with beautiful loving, sweet imagery. Brighter, primary colors work well for attracting focus and interest. As mentioned above, it is important to remember the fine line between stimulation and over stimulation.
Evidence shows that creating sensitivity to place encourages a cycle of wellness.
The right art can help create an environment that promotes happiness, inspires and engages occupants, staff and visitors, which then advertise it because of desirability. This continues to nourish the system completing the cycle of wellness.
Excerpts written by Wendy Mauch President/Art Consultant of Corporate Art Trends, Inc. and Anne Strickland, CEO of Great American Art.
