How very art therapy

They are still setting up for opening night of Vivid when I’m on my way to Sydney Writers’ Festival. One sculpture captivates me.

I see drawn outlines of the human body, with words written inside.

Write, I mean, right, up my alley.

a Vivid artwork pre-lighting
check out the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background

On closer inspection,

the words are about worry.

Even writer, I mean righter, up my alley. (I am a closet Creative Worrier,

as well as a slightly more overt

Creative Warrior).

Vivid art with sky
Landscape of the Mind

Vivid includes spectacular, psychedelic, large-scale creations of light and pazzazz, displayed on the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and other grand structures.

This smaller Sally-captivating artwork is not particularly showy or glowy, although it is due to glow with light when Vivid officially begins. 

On even closer inspection, it turns out this piece is called Landscape of the Mind.

It is based on a series of Body Maps created under the auspices of the Black Dog Institute as a way of exploring and expressing people’s experience of anxiety.

Wobbly
Landscape of the Mind

Very art therapy.

No wonder it caught my eye.

Landscape of the Mind
Black Dog Institute

Here’s a link to Landscape of the Mind. And one for  Vivid. 

Here’s the Black Dog Institute’s overview:

The Black Dog Institute is dedicated to understanding, preventing and treating mental illness. We are about creating a world where mental illness is treated with the same level of concern, immediacy and seriousness as physical illness; where scientists work to discover the causes of illness and new treatments, and where discoveries are immediately put into practice through health services, technology and community education.

On my way back from the Writers’ Festival, THE LIGHTS ARE ON. Vivid is in full swing.

Landscape of the Mind
all lit up

I will share a little picture of mine from a while back. What’s the connection? Well, um, it’s a picture with a body in it. The word ‘Light’ appears.

Enjoy.

Light
A slightly weird, not-quite-human creature, wings outstretched and legs solid

Have you ever created a Body Map?

Landscape of the Mind
opening night of Vivid