12.6 Found objects and mixed media

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 collage and assemblage 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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  European Art in the Early 20th Century | Boundless Art History View original

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  Fountain (Duchamp) - Wikipedia View original

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  Fontana (Duchamp) - Wikipedia View original

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  European Art in the Early 20th Century | Boundless Art History View original

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  Fountain (Duchamp) - Wikipedia View original

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Top images from around the web for Historical context

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  European Art in the Early 20th Century | Boundless Art History View original

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• 

  Fountain (Duchamp) - Wikipedia View original

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• 

  Fontana (Duchamp) - Wikipedia View original

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• 

  European Art in the Early 20th Century | Boundless Art History View original

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  Fountain (Duchamp) - Wikipedia View original

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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 self-discovery
• 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