The Rorschach Test was created by psychologist Hermann Rorschach in response to person with schizophrenia reacting differently than psychologically stable persons in a game called Blotto. In the game, players respond to non-representational ink blots and create stories based upon the blots they are shown. Today the personality test is used to help individuals who are struggling to express their thought process.
Creating artworks that are informed by Rorschach’s research I explore the emotions of healing from mental illness. The act of creating these ink blots is a therapeutic act. Through the process of painting on paper and folding the page upon itself, new images emerge and are purged to best represent an emotion or stage of healing. Similar to that of a psychologist identifying a cognitive behavioral therapy regimen, it may take several attempts to create an inkblot that purely represents an emotion.
Through the process of translating chosen ink blot shapes into three-dimensional objects, a tactile method to express feelings associated with healing from mental illness is illustrated. These three-dimensional objects are created from materials that in which elicit a sensory reaction in the viewer; the different sensory reactions of velvet and sandpaper.
Ultimately, these sensory objects act as an emotional bridge to the viewer. These objects provide individuals who have not dealt with mental illness a starting point to empathize with those who may be suffering. This was specifically crafted with some of the most common mental illnesses in mind, specifically depression and anxiety.
Creating artworks that are informed by Rorschach’s research I explore the emotions of healing from mental illness. The act of creating these ink blots is a therapeutic act. Through the process of painting on paper and folding the page upon itself, new images emerge and are purged to best represent an emotion or stage of healing. Similar to that of a psychologist identifying a cognitive behavioral therapy regimen, it may take several attempts to create an inkblot that purely represents an emotion.
Through the process of translating chosen ink blot shapes into three-dimensional objects, a tactile method to express feelings associated with healing from mental illness is illustrated. These three-dimensional objects are created from materials that in which elicit a sensory reaction in the viewer; the different sensory reactions of velvet and sandpaper.
Ultimately, these sensory objects act as an emotional bridge to the viewer. These objects provide individuals who have not dealt with mental illness a starting point to empathize with those who may be suffering. This was specifically crafted with some of the most common mental illnesses in mind, specifically depression and anxiety.