Art in the hospital

Each year, nearly 40 million people undergo hospitalization or visit relatives. It is therefore a remarkable area of ​​social diversity, where visiting exhibitions is no longer uncommon.

Whether as a mode of expression in a therapeutic course or for the simple pleasure of the eyes, art helps to regain the energy and life force necessary to fight against illness and trauma.

Integrating exhibitions into the hospital allows everyone, regardless of their circumstances, to access the visual arts. It's a window onto aesthetics and emotion that can spark a lasting desire to engage with the art world. It also brings a touch of humanity into a place of technical expertise.

 

Exhibitions in hospital settings.

There are few places where art could reach so many people. Opening the hospital to artists so they can present their work is a bold move for the cultural world. What could be more noble than offering patients new resources for well-being?

Art exhibitions are increasingly popular in hospitals, as evidenced by the numerous events held there in recent years. To name just two examples:

 

• • At the Bretagne Sud hospital in Riantec, near Lorient, healthcare staff invited artist Sandrine Rabaey to brighten up the corridors for a temporary exhibition. Ouest-France – published December 7, 2018

• • The Henry Kaplan Regional Cancer Centre at the Tours University Hospital hosted an exhibition of large-scale paintings for five years following a partnership between the Regional Directorates of Cultural Affairs (DRAC) and the Regional Health Agencies (ARS).

In France, an agreement was signed in 1999 between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Culture and Communication. This laid the foundations for a national program, " Culture and Health" ( https://www.iledefrance.ars.sante.fr/culture-et-sante-1# – the "Culture, Hospital Staff of Ile-de-France Structures" initiative). It encourages those involved in the cultural sector and those in charge of healthcare facilities to undertake joint projects.

 

The hospital, a medical place, but also a place to live

Beyond institutional exhibitions, artists and associations intervene directly in the hospital. Whether initiated by personal projects or by private and public partners, events regularly take place.

The pandemic brought projects to a standstill. But momentum has been established, and art professionals, particularly visual artists, should find in the hospital setting another opportunity to exhibit their work.

Some of the artworks are commissioned and created specifically for the institutions.

The association, Art dans la Cité, directed by Rachel Even , works towards this goal. Its mission is to bring art into hospitals. It brings in visual artists, some of whom are internationally renowned.

The entrances, treatment rooms, waiting rooms, corridors, and bedrooms are thus beautified.

Rachel Even is an art historian and holds a degree in cultural management. She directs the association Art dans la Cité , created in 2000 with the mission of producing works of art for healthcare facilities worldwide.

She is the driving force behind "site-specific art creation." Artists come to hospitals, and hospitalized patients participate in the creative process in their own way, working closely with the healthcare teams. Art is brought directly to the patients.

The hospital environment is generally austere and unwelcoming. For staff who spend a large part of their time in these sterile environments, this can become distressing.

The main challenge in the fight against suffering at work in hospitals, as in other professional environments, is the preservation of the physical and mental health of staff.

Improving the aesthetics of the premises remains crucial for good working conditions. "Permanent art on the walls" is a movement that encourages the beautification of facilities for the benefit of patients and staff.

 

Art as a mode of expression in the medical field

When you enter a dialysis room, the first thing that strikes you is the calm of the place. Some healthcare teams offer their patients opportunities to find distraction through art. It is in this kind of experience that art therapy truly comes into its own.

The sessions are less restrictive. It's important to understand that the goal isn't simply to keep patients occupied, but to give them the freedom to express buried emotions: feelings of injustice, sometimes anger, despair, and sadness, which they don't allow themselves to express to their loved ones. The resulting artwork speaks for itself; it defuses anxiety by creating an atmosphere of kindness and mutual support.

What is true for dialysis services is equally true for other medical sectors. Beyond illness, the enemy of hospitals is anxiety and depression.

Art has this wonderful power to transport us to other worlds where suffering does not exist. All activities related to art, whether manual, intellectual, or simply contemplative, have their own distinct place in hospital settings.

 

Art as body care

Beyond its benefits in terms of reducing anxiety, promoting social interaction, and enhancing well-being, practicing an artistic discipline can be considered within a healing and rehabilitation process. Like sports activities, sculpture, modeling, or painting can be integrated into a treatment program. The advantage is twofold, directly impacting both the body and the patient's mental state.

As we can see, art in hospitals has many facets. Used as a decorative element with a calming function, such as in waiting rooms, it is also employed to soothe anxieties and improve mental well-being, as well as in treatment programs. It therefore appears essential today for the effective management of healthcare and institutions.