Artist Connections

Art—especially high art—is better appreciated and understood when more is known about it.

To that end, for each significant work of art at Haven House and Cloud Nine Studios, we either have recorded or will soon record a video of the artist presenting and explaining the meaning and intention of the piece, how they made it, how they were feeling when they made it, etc. When possible, these videos are recorded in the place where the piece is displayed, which creates a deeper connection between the place and the artist and makes explanations of pieces made specifically for the space (like the Journey Gallery) particularly powerful. Essentially, we film an unveiling event designed to be experienced via video rather than live. After viewing its unveiling, the effect a piece has will be exponentially multiplied, as the sensory memory of the artist's explanation will be a vivid reminder of its intention and message that is triggered whenever residents see the work, which is especially important for pieces that convey crucial mental health concepts.

This approach depends on proper timing, however. Forcing an art tour at the wrong time during trauma recovery would be orders of magnitude less effective, if not counterproductive, insulting, or even harmful. Instead, on or near each work are tiny labels that display its title as well as a QR code, which leads to a page with details about the piece and the video of the artist explaining it. By this method, the Exploratory Gallery delivers this information only when people are actively seeking and receptive to it.

A primary goal of this modality is to amplify the efficacy of the artwork displayed by explaining their intended messages and symbolism in a highly memorable way. However, learning this information has additional benefits. Learning more on one’s own is an empowering experience that can boost self-efficacy, and learning more about their living environment can combat detachment by making people feel more connected to the home and the artists who have shared the same space. Furthermore, many will find they have more in common with some artists than they expected, and seeing beautiful works of art made by people similar to themselves can boost self-confidence and deter feelings of powerlessness. (See: Using Beauty to Empower.)

The Exploratory Gallery is used throughout Haven House and Cloud Nine Studios, in conjunction with the Décor Gallery, Healing High Art, and most notably, the Journey Gallery.