Glossary

12.6 Found objects and mixed media

4 min read•august 21, 2024

Found objects and mixed media offer unique therapeutic possibilities in art therapy. By repurposing everyday items, clients explore personal symbolism and creative expression. This approach, rooted in early 20th-century art movements, encourages mindfulness and problem-solving through artistic creation.

Art therapists use various found objects, from natural materials to personal artifacts, to facilitate emotional exploration and self-reflection. Mixed media techniques like and allow clients to combine diverse elements, creating multi-layered artworks that represent complex experiences and foster new insights.

Definition of found objects

  • Found objects in art therapy involve using everyday items as artistic materials, promoting creative expression and personal insight
  • This approach encourages clients to find new meaning in ordinary objects, fostering a unique therapeutic experience
  • Found object art connects to the broader field of Art Therapy by emphasizing the process of creation and personal symbolism

Historical context

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  • Originated in early 20th century with Marcel Duchamp's "readymades" (urinal titled "Fountain")
  • Gained prominence in Dada and Surrealist movements, challenging traditional art concepts
  • Evolved through Pop Art (1950s-60s) with artists like Robert Rauschenberg incorporating everyday items
  • Influenced contemporary art practices, including installation and conceptual art

Significance in art therapy

  • Provides accessible materials for clients, reducing barriers to artistic expression
  • Encourages mindfulness and present-moment awareness through object selection
  • Facilitates exploration of personal history and emotions tied to familiar items
  • Promotes problem-solving and creativity in repurposing objects
  • Supports eco-friendly art-making by utilizing existing materials

Types of found objects

  • Found objects encompass a wide range of items, offering diverse therapeutic possibilities in art therapy
  • The selection of objects can reveal client preferences, experiences, and unconscious associations
  • Understanding different categories of found objects helps therapists guide clients in material exploration

Natural materials

  • Organic items from the environment (leaves, stones, shells)
  • Promotes connection with nature and grounding experiences
  • Can evoke memories of specific places or experiences
  • Encourages sensory exploration through varied textures and forms
  • May symbolize growth, change, or life cycles in therapeutic work

Manufactured items

  • Mass-produced objects (buttons, gears, packaging materials)
  • Reflects societal norms, consumerism, and cultural trends
  • Can represent daily life experiences and routines
  • Allows for exploration of functionality vs. aesthetic value
  • May prompt discussions about waste, recycling, and environmental concerns

Personal artifacts

  • Objects with individual significance (photographs, letters, heirlooms)
  • Facilitates exploration of personal history and relationships
  • Can trigger strong emotional responses and memories
  • Supports identity work and self-reflection
  • May aid in processing grief or honoring important life events

Mixed media techniques

  • Mixed media approaches in art therapy combine various materials and methods to create multi-layered artworks
  • These techniques offer clients diverse ways to express complex emotions and experiences
  • Integrating mixed media with found objects expands the creative possibilities in therapeutic art-making

Collage vs assemblage

  • Collage involves adhering flat materials to a surface, creating 2D compositions
  • Assemblage constructs 3D artworks by combining objects and materials
  • Collage often uses paper-based materials (magazines, photos, text)
  • Assemblage incorporates a wider range of objects and textures
  • Both techniques allow for juxtaposition of disparate elements, fostering new meanings

Layering and texturing

  • Builds depth and complexity in artworks through multiple material layers
  • Techniques include overlapping, embedding, and building up surfaces
  • Can represent emotional or experiential layers in a client's life
  • Texturing methods (sanding, scratching, embossing) add tactile elements
  • Encourages experimentation and sensory engagement in the art-making process

Incorporation of text

  • Integrates written elements into visual art (handwritten notes, printed words)
  • Can express thoughts, feelings, or memories that are difficult to verbalize
  • Allows for combining personal writing with found text (newspaper clippings)
  • Supports narrative development and storytelling in artwork
  • May reveal subconscious themes through word choice and placement

Psychological aspects

  • Found object art in therapy taps into deep psychological processes and personal meanings
  • This approach allows clients to externalize internal experiences through tangible objects
  • Understanding the psychological dimensions helps therapists guide clients in meaningful art-making

Symbolism of objects

  • Objects carry personal and cultural symbolic meanings
  • Clients may choose objects that represent aspects of self or experiences
  • Symbolic interpretations can reveal unconscious thoughts or feelings
  • Discussion of object symbolism can lead to insights and
  • Therapists guide clients in exploring multiple layers of meaning in chosen objects

Memory and association

  • Found objects often trigger specific memories or associations
  • Art-making process can uncover forgotten experiences or emotions
  • Objects may serve as tangible links to past events or relationships
  • Creating with found objects can aid in memory processing and integration
  • Associations between objects can reveal patterns in a client's thinking or behavior

Personal narrative creation

  • Arranging found objects allows clients to construct visual narratives
  • Storytelling through objects supports meaning-making and identity formation
  • Narratives created may reflect past experiences, current situations, or future aspirations
  • Process encourages clients to reframe or reimagine their personal stories
  • Sharing object-based narratives in therapy can foster communication and self-expression

Key Terms to Review (18)

Art making: Art making refers to the creative process of producing visual, auditory, or performance works that express ideas, emotions, or narratives. This process often involves experimentation with various materials and techniques, allowing artists to convey their personal experiences and perspectives. Art making is central to various art forms, including painting, sculpture, and mixed media, facilitating self-expression and exploration.
Assemblage: Assemblage is a form of three-dimensional art that involves the collection and arrangement of diverse objects or materials to create a cohesive artwork. This artistic practice emphasizes the idea of combining found objects, sometimes referred to as 'ready-mades,' with other elements to form new meanings and interpretations. Through assemblage, artists challenge traditional notions of sculpture and encourage viewers to engage with the juxtaposition of materials and ideas.
Catharsis: Catharsis is the process of releasing and thereby providing relief from strong or repressed emotions. In art therapy, this concept is vital as it allows clients to express and process feelings through creative means, leading to emotional healing and self-discovery.
Cathy Malchiodi: Cathy Malchiodi is a prominent figure in the field of art therapy, known for her extensive contributions to the understanding and practice of therapeutic art interventions. She has played a key role in advancing the discipline through her research, publications, and innovative approaches to using art in healing processes across various populations.
Collage: Collage is an artistic technique that involves assembling different materials, such as paper, fabric, photographs, and other found objects, to create a new composition. This form of art encourages creativity and self-expression by allowing individuals to juxtapose various elements, leading to unique interpretations and narratives.
Creativity enhancement: Creativity enhancement refers to methods and practices aimed at improving an individual's ability to generate new ideas, solutions, or artistic expressions. This concept often involves using various materials and techniques to inspire innovative thinking and self-expression, especially within art and therapy contexts.
Edith Kramer: Edith Kramer was a pioneering figure in art therapy, known for integrating artistic expression with therapeutic practice. Her work emphasized the healing power of art and its ability to facilitate personal growth and emotional healing, making significant contributions to the development of art therapy as a recognized profession.
Emotional Expression: Emotional expression refers to the ways individuals communicate their feelings and emotions, often through verbal, non-verbal, or artistic means. This concept is crucial in various therapeutic settings, as it allows clients to convey their inner experiences and process feelings that may be difficult to articulate.
Expressive Arts: Expressive arts refer to a therapeutic approach that uses various art forms, such as visual arts, music, dance, and drama, to facilitate emotional expression, personal insight, and healing. This multifaceted approach allows individuals to explore their feelings and experiences through creativity, making it a valuable tool in therapeutic settings that integrate diverse modalities to support mental health and well-being.
Multi-sensory experience: A multi-sensory experience is an engaging method that incorporates multiple senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—to enhance perception and understanding. This approach is particularly significant in art therapy as it allows individuals to connect with their emotions and thoughts on a deeper level by activating various sensory pathways. Utilizing different materials and media in creative expression can evoke memories and feelings, leading to more profound self-discovery and healing.
Narrative building: Narrative building is the process of creating a structured story or account that conveys meaning, engages the audience, and often reflects personal or cultural experiences. This concept is essential in various artistic and therapeutic practices, as it enables individuals to express their thoughts, emotions, and identities through the creation of visual or verbal narratives. By using elements like symbolism and imagery, narrative building helps in exploring and processing complex feelings and experiences.
Natural objects: Natural objects refer to materials or items that are found in nature, which can include stones, wood, leaves, and shells. These items are often used in artistic practices to create mixed media art or as found objects, emphasizing a connection to the environment and organic forms.
Object Relations Theory: Object relations theory is a psychoanalytic concept that emphasizes the significance of interpersonal relationships, especially those formed during early childhood, in shaping an individual's personality and emotional development. This theory suggests that the way individuals perceive and interact with objects, or significant others in their lives, plays a crucial role in their psychological health and can influence therapeutic practices, including art therapy.
Recycled materials: Recycled materials are resources that have been reprocessed or reused to create new products, reducing waste and the consumption of raw materials. This practice not only conserves natural resources but also fosters creativity in art, encouraging the use of various textures, forms, and colors derived from previously discarded items. These materials often carry unique histories and characteristics, making them valuable components in artistic expression.
Self-discovery: Self-discovery is the process of gaining insight into one’s own character, feelings, motives, and desires. It is a crucial element in therapeutic practices as it empowers individuals to understand themselves better and express their innermost thoughts and emotions creatively. This journey can be facilitated through various artistic mediums, allowing for deeper exploration of identity and personal narratives.
Storytelling through art: Storytelling through art is a creative process where artists use visual mediums to narrate experiences, emotions, and ideas. This practice transcends traditional narratives by integrating visual elements that enhance the viewer's understanding and connection to the story being conveyed, allowing for personal interpretation and emotional engagement.
Symbolic interactionism: Symbolic interactionism is a sociological perspective that focuses on how individuals create and interpret symbols and meanings in their interactions with others. This approach emphasizes the importance of social context and how personal experiences shape one’s understanding of reality. In the realm of art, especially with found objects and mixed media, it highlights how artists use materials to communicate deeper meanings and emotions, engaging viewers in a dialogue through the symbols represented.
Trauma Processing: Trauma processing refers to the psychological and emotional work involved in understanding, integrating, and healing from traumatic experiences. It involves making sense of the trauma, working through associated feelings, and ultimately finding ways to move forward, often through therapeutic practices like art and creative expression. This process is crucial for individuals to reclaim their narrative and foster resilience after experiencing trauma.
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