Art, emotion, and existential well-being.

Abstract

Studies have shown that participation in receptive and creative cultural activities are significantly associated with satisfaction with life and lower levels of anxiety and depression. The question is why art and cultural activities have such psychological effects. With a point of departure in Alexander Baumgarden's distinction between things known and things perceived, it is argued in this article that sensate form in encounters with works of art is linked to emotions rather than cognitive attempts to make meaning in life, as suggested by Mark Johnson among others. Descriptions of intense experiences with works of art show that an exceptional sensate appearance is followed by an emotional quality that transcends ordinary consciousness. This link between an exceptional sensate form and an emotional response is taken as indication of providing not only momentary enjoyment but also an emotional reorganization. A few precepts for an emotion theory are laid out in an attempt to clarify why art may contribute to existential well-being. The concluding assumption is that a work of art reawakes an emotion from a previous existential encounter when the emotion was not constituted by a sensate form because circumstances at that time had been indistinct or ambiguous. By constituting fleeting emotions recalled from previous existential encounters, art contributes to emotional integrity and provides life satisfaction and less anxiety and depression. Public Significance StatementThe thesis presented in this article suggests that art contributes to existential well-being by eliciting and maintaining memories that hitherto have been freefloating and emotionally disturbing.

Psychological well-being and work in the dramatic arts

“…Liebmann, 1996) the participants reported that through acting they learned how to deal with conflicts with other people in an appropriate manner. The obtained results speak in favor of the fact that the inclusion of art in everyday life can enrich the realization of human potential and thus help improve one's well-being (Ryff, 2018;Funch, 2021). Acting as an art form seems to be an appropriate choice because at its core, it requires that the actors learn more about themselves (Ward, Connolly, & Meyer, 2013).…”

Children’s organized sports participation and psychosocial adjustment: Associations with categories of sports.

“…These sports often involve choreographies that tell a story, have a theme and costumes, and are usually set to music. Prior studies revealed that creative activities promote well-being by being associated with lower levels of internalizing problems (Funch, 2021; Ruini et al, 2022).…”

Research on Open Practice Teaching of Off-Campus Art Appreciation Based on ICT

“…The research from Funch showed that there are five different types of art appreciation (aesthetic pleasure, emotional appreciation, cognitive appreciation, aesthetic charm, and high consciousness), and the aesthetic experience gained from art appreciation is the most personalized participation a person may have in a work of art [17]. The description of intense experience in works of art shows that an extraordinary sensory appearance is followed by an emotional quality beyond ordinary consciousness, and this connection between special sensory forms and emotional response not only indicates temporary enjoyment but also indicates emotional reorganization [18]. Spiritual sublimation through artistic appreciation is one of the main purposes of aesthetic education.…”