When Art Speaks to Harm

One of the fascinating ways we talk of concepts is to personify them. We talk about ‘the market’, ‘the economy’, ‘politics, ‘Canberra’, ‘society’, ‘Washington’ as if they are a person. We attribute personal value to these places and their behaviours as Archetypes. Most of the time we talk this way unconsciously.

It is in this way we also talk about ‘Art’ and ‘Music’ and both have unique poetic license to speak back to us. Often it is in Art and Music we find critique that other media cannot speak and we even accept their radical perspective. Similarly, ‘Comedy’ and ‘Satire’ are allowed to completely deconstruct a subject and expose hidden values and undisclosed ideologies in them. It is often musicians and artists who don’t see the world as Orthodoxy does. Having a vision for the world through the lens of Art and Music often tells us things that STEM cannot say.

Art and Music speak to us through and in emotions and feelings, in that unconscious space that STEM so often ignores. So, let’s have a brief look at how Art (and Street Art) speaks to Harm, Loss and Risk during this coronavirus pandemic. (because of copyright, only links to the art is presented. You can explore this fully by going to Google Images and searching for ‘Coronavirus art’)

· https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/04/14/photos-street-art-that-emerged-over-the-coronavirus-pandemic/

· https://hypebeast.com/2020/3/coronavirus-art-illustrations-handwashing-social-distancing-exclusive

· https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2020/apr/06/coronavirus-street-art-in-pictures

· https://www.boredpanda.com/coronavirus-illustrations-alireza-pakdel/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

· https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/audio/coronavirus-street-art

It is amazing how much can be ‘said’ in one image. This is the power of semiotics and poetics ie, understanding how signs and symbols speak to the unconscious. Sometimes when text cannot express how we feel, when the reductionism of science tramples the heart, it is the artist and musician who speak for us.

One of the obvious things about how Art and Music speak to Harm is through the acceptance rather than the rejection of reality. They leave the rejection of Harm up to Safety/Zero.

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Prof. Robert Long

Expert in Social Psychology, Principal & Trainer at Human Dymensions

Latest posts by Prof. Robert Long (see all)

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PhD., MEd., MOH., BEd., BTh., Dip T., Dip Min., Cert IV TAA, MRMIA Rob is the founder of Human Dymensions and has extensive experience, qualifications and expertise across a range of sectors including government, education, corporate, industry and community sectors over 30 years. Rob has worked at all levels of the education and training sector including serving on various post graduate executive, post graduate supervision, post graduate course design and implementation programs.