Art, Mind & Diversity

Art, Mind and Diversity, a multidisciplinary course at SACI, represents an opportunity for an art student to approach some key moments in the history of interpretation of the human mind, while developing multi-disciplinary art projects in collaboration with Fili e Colori, a daily therapy center in Florence.
An overview of ideas on human nature begins with the 19th century context of the Florentine Museum of Anthropology. Myths and fairytales are approached as a repertoire of universal images, which is followed by a brief history of the psychoanalytic ideas.
Political aspects of the treatment and isolation of mental patients is approached through the writings of Michel Foucault and Thomas Szasz. The practical part of the course may include a variety of approaches to art, such as (collaborative) painting and drawing, assemblage, performance art, documentary photography or video, as well as “discoursive” methods and community based art forms.
Most of all, the course is based on a creative dialogue between the students and the regular participants of the therapy center, as well as collective outdoor activities and museum visits. Activities will also include occasional dialogue with poets, visual artists and theater directors whose work is associated with the course themes.
The course is open to both undergraduate and MFA/MA students.
Art, Mind & Diversity developed as a part of activities of the Body Archives class at SACI and as a special workshop entitled Theater, Body and Diversity, during Fall/Spring 2015 and 2016. (See the posts below.)

Theater, Body and Diversity - an extraordinary day at the Fili e Colori art and therapy center. Final presentation of works by SACI students John, Juliette and Mercedes, with the participation of Guido, Vincenza, Ilde, Giancarlo, Antonello, Andrea. Thanks to the members of SACI administration and staff who came to the opening. And thank you Tiziana, Paolo, Sandra, Kino and all the staff and supporters of Fili e Colori. Photos by Naomi.

John Gingrich's monumental mural project, Juliette Myers' gestural performance, Maria Mercedes Parellada's workshop with recycled materials. All with excellent support collaboration of the Fili e Colori artists and staff. Final event coming up soon.

A few video stills of the performance held at La Specola museum, as part of the exhibition Body Archives 3 / Constructing the Other, and of the program Theater, Body and Diversity. December 15. Leon Jones, Noah Landy, Zeina Zeitoun, Molly Couick, with the actors of the art and therapy center Fili e Colori.

Molly is interviewing the performance participants at the art and therapy center Fili e Colori, as part of the work she is developing for La Specola museum. (December 15).

Working on gestures, sounds, spoken texts, with SACI students Zeina, Molly, Noah and Leon, Alessandro Fantechi, theater director and actors Leonardo, Vincenza, Pippo, Giancarlo, Ilda, Loredana. Photos by Eleonora Chiti.

Photographic workshop as part of "Theater, Body and Diversity" program. Mid-October in the ancient Florentine botanic garden. Leon Jones, 1st year MFA, leads the group of participants and staff from the Fili e Colori daily center, equipped with handmade pinhole cameras.

Art, Mind and Diversity, a multidisciplinary course at SACI, represents an opportunity for an art student to approach some key moments in the history of interpretation of the human mind, while developing multi-disciplinary art projects in collaboration with a daily therapy center in Florence.
An overview of ideas on human nature begins with the 19th century context of the Florentine Museum of Anthropology. Myths and fairytales are approached as a repertoire of universal images, which is followed by a brief history of the psychoanalytic ideas.
Political aspects of the treatment and isolation of mental patients is approached through the writings of Michel Foucault and Thomas Szasz. The practical part of the course may include a variety of approaches to art, such as (collaborative) painting and drawing, assemblage, performance art, documentary photography or video, as well as “discoursive” methods and community based art forms.
Most of all, the course is based on a creative dialogue between the students and the regular participants of the therapy center, as well as collective outdoor activities and museum visits. Activities will also include occasional dialogue with poets, visual artists and theater directors whose work is associated with the course themes.
The course is open to both undergraduate and MFA/MA students.