Having still not heard from my second
placement, I await with anticipation. There are significant disadvantages in
waiting a long time for my placement to start for one I am filled with ideas on
what it could be like without having any realistic experience in what it will
necessarily be like.
I am very much interested in new media at
the moment specifically David Hockney’s exhibition named, ‘me draw on ipad’ in
Copenhagen and his exhibition in San Francisco. At first I was quite against the idea of using an ipad to
paint as I thought this would take away from the important physical process of
painting but the more I reflect on it the more I want to try this out myself.
Hockney has used a combination of using his fingers and stylus when creating
his ipad paintings. I have researched into Hockney’s ipad exhibitions but I am
yet to find anything where he comments on the process of ipad drawing in
comparison to oil painting for example. I am interested in the differences here
for Hockney considering painting or drawing is such a physical journey for me
as an artist I feel without feeling the paint or feeling the pressure of the
lead on paper an element must be missing. I must try it for myself although I
do not have an ipad I will try a similar app on my kindle fire, this way I can
test out my preconceptions.
 |
| Fig 1. David Hockney Installation view of the iPad (2011) http://www.designboom.com/art/david-hockney-me-draw-on-ipad/ |
 |
| Fig 2. 12 foot high views of Yosemite National Park by David Hockney in San Francisco exhibition. (2013) http://www.toledoblade.com/Technology/2013/10/30/iPad-artwork-on-display-in-major-sweeping-David-Hockney-exhibit.html |
I have also thought about using new media
in a therapeutic context. As I am anticipating work within a secondary school
this seems like a logical idea. I know from the visiting art therapist lectures
at University that teenagers are less willing to engage in art making in
comparison to younger children. I immediately thought of using an ipad for
instance if drawing with a pencil and paper might deem too daunting, too permanent.
The beauty of the ipad is that the marks can be deleted instantly, freeing up
any anxiety of not feeling good enough to draw. This however has it’s own
complications. Perhaps making it easier in this way for young people (or any
age) negates the point of therapy? Maybe they need to get over not feeling good
enough by using the art materials rather than going for the easier option of an
ipad.
But I also feel using an ipad is a move in technology which one as a trainee
art therapist cannot ignore when working with young people. New media is used
currently in teaching so why not use it in therapy?
I will research working with new media in art therapy and if this has been done before. I'm curious to find out whether this changes work as an art therapist because they are not using conventional art materials and what this means for the profession. I found an online book where Malchiodi speaks of using digital art therapy with hospitalised children, she wrote an encouraging line, 'Art therapists, play therapists, and other health care professionals who work with children in hospitals or medica settings are already applying various forms of digital media in their sessions.' (Malchiodi 2013:106)
To be continued...
Bibliography
Malchiodi, C. A (2013) Art Therapy and Health Care. [online] The Guilford Press: New York
Available at http://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=IktwddZWp4MC&oi=fnd&pg=PA106&dq=art+therapy+ipad&ots=UOisY9P9H-&sig=vx8NPMvmt9JI-G-Y_q_oppd-siQ#v=onepage&q=art%20therapy%20ipad&f=false [Accessed 30 December 2013]
Mendoza, M (2013) 'David Hockney exhibit highlights iPad art'. mydesert. [online] Available at: http://www.mydesert.com/viewart/20131228/LIFESTYLES0104/312280031/David-Hockney-exhibit-highlights-iPad-art [Accessed 30 December 2013]
O'Brien, C (2013) 'How the iPhone and iPad transformed the art of David Hockney'. Los Angeles Times. [online] http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-how-the-iphone-and-ipad-transformed-the-art-of-david-hockney-20131024,0,1766325.story#axzz2j9gk9VFG [Accessed 30 December 2013]
Images
Fig 1. David Hockney Installation view of the iPad (2011), (2013) [Image online] Available at: http://www.designboom.com/art/david-hockney-me-draw-on-ipad/ [Accessed 30 December 2013]
Fig 2. 12 foot high views of Yosemite National Park by David Hockney in San Francisco exhibition (2013) [Image online] Available at: http://www.toledoblade.com/Technology/2013/10/30/iPad-artwork-on-display-in-major-sweeping-David-Hockney-exhibit.html [Accessed 30 December 2013]
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