A Study of “Appropriate Art”
Roger Ulrich, PhD, director and professor of the Center of Health Systems and Design in the
College of Architecture at Texas A & M University, conducted experiments in which he
measured the effects of art on medical outcomes.
In his research, he makes the important distinction that not all art can benefit patients. Only“psychologically appropriate art” can benefit patients by improving blood pressure, anxiety,
intake of pain medication and length of hospital stay. His study also shows that some art styles
aren’t right in health care setting because they can have negative effects on patients.
Ulrich worked with Outi Lundén, head of the department of psychology at Uppsala University,
Sweden, and John Eltinge, PhD, a professor of biostatistics at Texas A & M University for his
study. The team worked with postsurgery patients who had undergone heart procedures.
They divided the 160 patients into six groups that were shown different pictures.
Group 1 viewed nature scene of still water surrounded by trees.
Group 2 viewed a shady forest scene.
Group 3 saw an abstract picture with circular forms.
Group 4 saw an abstract picture with rectilinear shapes.
Group 5 were shown a blank white screen.
Group 6 had no picture.
(These pictures were mounted at the end of the bed so that when the patients woke up after
surgery, they would see the pictures.)
The team studied the art’s effects by studying the patient’s mood, mental state, recovery
time and pain perception. According to the study, the scene of water and trees benefited the
patients more. The patients in Group 1 were less anxious within 2 days after surgery and
handled pain medicine like morphine better.
The picture of the forest did not significantly improve patients outcomes because patients
thought the scene was dark and crowded.
The rectilinear abstract picture fared the worst in the study. It actually made patients ill.
Patients who viewed this picture were more anxious and initially took more pain drugs than
the control groups.
The study explains that abstract art has adverse effects on patients because it is ambiguous
and left open to interpretation. This type of art is inappropriate for health care settings.
| “ In a stressful environment such as a hospital, ambiguity is not likely to be therapeutic.” |
|
- Ulrich |
When considering and choosing art for the healthcare setting, Ulrich suggests the following
guidelines.
Art should be obviously positive
Images in the art should be recognizable.
(Impressionistic art is acceptable if one can recognize what it is.)
Avoid chaotic and abstract art.
Nature scenes should be sunny with bright colors such as green rather than brown.
If people are in the scene make sure they are smiling or look positive.
OBJECTIVES
Promote TTSH as a centre of holistic healing of mind and body
Transform the hospital environment from a traditionally sterile, cold and fearful environment
to one of warmth, non-threatening and welcoming place of healing
STRATEGY
Using the arts as a platform for its intrinsic value (art as a healing property and objects
of beauty) and extrinsic values (symbolic of the TTSH art of healing honed over the past
160 years)
Permeate the environment by making healing art a part of hospital ID, events and activities
TARGET AUDIENCE
Patients, patient’s families and visitors to TTSH,
Staff
Corporate visitors
General public - community
Volunteers - Students / Retirees / Others
TACTICS
In Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the use of art to promote healing and good health of patients
coincides with the organisation’s vision of “adding years of healthy life to the people of
Singapore”.
These artists will consist of poets, painters, dancers, storytellers and musicians. We will also
include permanent exhibits that reflect the art of healing throughout the hospital’s premises.
ELEMENTS
1. TTSH’s Art of Healing Gallery
With a prime location in one of the busiest hospitals in Singapore and daily human traffic
of 8000 people, TTSH’s heritage museum and atrium is a prime venue and the heart of
the institution. This is the ideal location for us to showcase TTSH’s 160-year legacy of care,
honed into an art form. The Gallery will also focus on the institution’s latest achievements
and future orientation.
The arts will be the metaphor and device that will bring to life the “Art of healing” at
TTSH.
The experience will begin at the entrance. As visitors make their way up to the hospital,
they will be greeted with soft and soothing music. The hospital’s present signs and directions
will have soft art elements incorporated in them to provide visual cues. As they make their
way to the atrium, the aurora of natural light shining through the atrium’s high glass ceilings
will provide an excellent setting for the Gallery.
The Gallery will showcase the following:
TTSH’s Founding
Milestones
TTSH’s brand of Care
TTSH’s Strengths and the Core Values
TTSH’s Vision for the future
The Hospital’s clinical and service excellence showcase will be juxtaposed with art, showing
the inextricable union of art and science in the healing process. The experience in the gallery
will be a seamless one combining artifacts, medical instruments, art therapy and objet d’art.
At regular intervals, performing arts will be showcased in the atrium, again, with the purpose
of providing art therapy.
2. TTSH’s Healing Wall
A healing wall could be displayed in all the common areas in each ward landing with the
purpose of encouraging and lifting the spirits of patients and families. The wall will comprise
of tiles with pictures painted by patients or families that can reflect the various expressions
of hope, life and love. These tiles will have ready outlined pictures to make it easier for
patients and families to paint. A special palette with the right healing colours will be given
to interested ‘artists’. The process of painting on tiles provides an outlet for patients and
families to express their anxieties, fears and hopes. Each wall will have an inspiring message
where the tiles are laid.
3. TTSH’s Healing Ceilings
Also known as “Therapeutic environmental art”. Sections of ceiling (false ceiling boards)
may have lively scenes drawn on them. Patients are in bed for long periods and the painted
ceiling is uplifting. These decorative ceiling tiles give bored patients a source of joy. It
provides a respite for patients who have to go through the stress and monotony of hospital
stays. In order to encourage patients and families to paint, volunteers consisting of staff
and external volunteers will be asked to paint a few designs of their own and replace the
original ceiling boards with them. Similar to the healing wall, a special palette with the
right healing colours will be given to patients.
4. Storytelling / Arts & Crafts
We could encourage volunteers and staff to visit adult patients and bring them stories
and activities such as face painting, Peranakan bead making and braiding bracelets.
5. TTSH Healing Hanging Mobiles
This art is a mixture of architecture, creativity and physics. Mobiles are basically moving
art, made of objects balanced and arranged on wire arms that are suspended and move
freely. Mobiles provide a welcome distraction for visitors, and add beauty to sterile
environments. The slow movements of mobiles which aid in relaxation often enthrall
people. The beautiful sculpture will help create a warm and healing environment.
6. TTSH’s Healing Gardens
When patients need time to relax and forget their problems, they can take refuge in the
hospital’s healing garden. The experience can nourish both patients and visitors by being
a place of refuge and peace. The garden becomes an oasis of calm and retreat for weary
patients, friends and families. A sanctuary for patients, healing gardens are unique in that
they provide certain elements that may or may not exist in the typical garden. Some
elements of healing gardens include:
An inviting entry – this can be achieved by a simple arch or gate, anything that will offer
an intriguing glimpse into the garden and the feeling of stepping into another world.
A sense of mystery – something to surprise and enthrall - a path disappearing into the
distance, a glimpse of a structure through the greenery or perhaps the sound of trickling
water.
Plant material that evokes memory of pleasure or happiness such as bright, beautiful and
colourful flowers that symbolize hope and life.
7. Using Music for Transformation & Healing
It is not just music to your ears, but also music for your body. We can use music as a
medium of communication, strategy for refocusing during painful or long procedures and
as a source of emotional support. Healing music may be effective for many conditions,
diseases, illnesses and symptoms.
Many sound therapy recordings can be used in more than one situation because of the
intimate connection between the emotional and physical. There are specific types of music
for various illnesses ranging from stress, pain, insomnia, addictions, smoking, cardiovascular
illnesses, post-traumatic-stress syndrome, panic disorder/anxiety, depression, stress, anger,
fear, sadness and hyperactivity.
Music can be aired in the wards, in the gardens, in the art gallery and throughout the
hospital including the Emergency Department (to help calm trauma patients and their
familes).
8. Trailblazers & Visionaries
We will showcase the remarkable achievements of doctors, nurses and administrators who
have contributed significantly to the hospital, employing the art device to ensure consistency
in the corporate ID.
CONCLUSION
Through the art of healing, the healing environment is created and enjoyed by all, from
patients to families, staff and visitors. Local and international artists will be invited to display
their paintings and crafts, play music or conduct dance performances that are healing in
nature.
This is essential for art as a complimentary medicine to live on. With this variety of art pieces
and crafts that are surfacing periodically in the art gallery, we hope to create a soothing
atmosphere that will relax and inspire our patients and visitors. Through these exhibits, we
would like to create a subtle healing process for our patients and visitors as well as enhance
the hospital’s image as an art hospital. The inclusion of art reflects the hospital’s goal of
treating patients as a whole, through the healing of mind, body and soul.
>> Introduction
>> Let there be light & life
>> Quotes from patients, staff & visitors
>> Launch pictures
>> Artwork fact sheet
>> Technical specs of artwork
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