Visual Arts Research Articles

Letters to the Landscape (or an Alphabet in Ruins)

This article is a crossing through the Anthropocene. Between the body and the landscape, between the past and the future, between concepts and dances, between Edouard Glissant and the Atlantic Ocean, between tremor and uncertainty, between the Forest and Monoculture, between dance and the visual arts, between poetry and concepts, between the body and philosophy, between the animal and the plant, between what I desire and what I get, between Emanuele Coccia and the butterfly, between the thousand names of Gaia, the anthropology and what remains of our planet. They are letters thrown into the sea, directed to the landscapes that inhabit me, written with pieces of images and sounds that were inside my body/computer in these last years of journey. Shared in a list, like an alphabet in ruins, a (un)alphabetical order. Each letter carries a journey in itself: a way of doing and thinking about dance, an invention of a world that is possible to imagine today.

The Potential of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) In Enhancing Malaysia's Arts and Cultural Heritage Preservation

This study investigates the transformative potential of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) in revolutionizing the marketing of artworks by Malaysian visual artists, with a particular focus on promoting cultural heritage. NFTs, as digital assets secured by blockchain technology, offer artists innovative methods to monetize their creations while preserving authenticity and provenance. Despite their growing popularity, Malaysian artists face challenges such as limited knowledge and skepticism regarding the effective use of NFT technology. This research aims to identify strategies and best practices for incorporating NFTs into digital art marketing, particularly in the context of cultural heritage preservation. Through a combination of content analysis and semi-structured interviews with five experts, this study applies the soft laddering technique to explore the perceived benefits and challenges of NFTs. The findings highlight the significant potential of NFTs to enhance Malaysian artists' access to global markets and strengthen the preservation of cultural heritage. The study underscores the need for improved technological literacy and NFT utilization among Malaysian artists to maximize their presence and competitiveness in the evolving digital art marketplace.

Wilde Jagd, Ostwind, Westwind, himmlisches Kind

Abstract Winds are fascinating forces of nature, awe-inspiring and devastating when they appear as storms, and therefore a powerful theme in religion, literature and narrative, in music and the arts. Greek-Roman Antiquity personified the winds as nature deities, bearing resemblance to the angels and often represented as embodiments of forceful and tyrannic masculinity. These classical traditions are reflected in their own ways in the visual arts since the Renaissance. In legend and literature from the Middle Ages up to our times, however, winds and storms seem to be preponderantly allied to the dark forces of evil, the devil, wizards and witches, the Wild Hunter, whereas in folktales, the unruly winds appear mostly as helper figures, creating often moments of extraordinary fun.

Odd New Spring: Towards Evolving Landscapes and a Reorientation in Design Practice (2024)

"Odd New Spring: Towards Evolving Landscapes and a Reorientation in Design Practice" is an artistic research PhD project that explores methods for designers to engage with local environments, interdisciplinary communities, and professional fields in new ways. The project repositions unwanted plants, specifically Invasive Alien Plant Species, as a foundation for knowledge creation and new local activities. This approach challenges the perception of these plants as strictly agonistic and reframes them in the context of sustainability, production, and resource management. Through the artistic practice, the plants are connected to stories from the past and visions for the future, encouraging reflection on current classifications and relations. The work culminated in the exhibition "Odd New Spring" at the University Museum in Bergen's Natural History Collections. Here, experimental artefacts, storytelling objects, interdisciplinary dialogues, and reflections point towards a new design position. The project envisions the designer as a bridge-builder across disciplines, fostering sustainable practices and coexistence within local landscapes. Supervised by Mette L'orange (architect MNAL and visual artist) and Tim Parry-Williams (Professor of Art: Textiles, KMD). Photo: Odd New Spring 2024, Siren Elise Wilhelmsen

Exploring the Nature-Creativity Connection Across Different Settings: A Scoping Review

AbstractThe widespread benefits of creativity have become more salient in recent years. This has led to scholarly interest in finding ways to foster creativity. Nature immersion may be one way to enhance creativity, particularly as many individuals involved in creative pursuits have found nature to be a source of inspiration and a haven for restoration. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews and the PRISMA-ScR 22 item checklist, we conducted a scoping review to examine the evidence on the relationship between nature and creativity as well as any underlying mechanisms facilitating this relationship. A scoping review was deemed appropriate given the infancy of the topic and the need to understand the broad landscape. Our aim was to present a range of interdisciplinary applications of nature interventions on different types of creative performance. We found 45 publications exploring the relationship between nature and creativity, with the majority (n = 36, 80%) published within the past seven years. Overall, the quantitative studies in our scoping review provided evidence of a significant positive relationship, or effect, between nature and creativity. These relationships held across various types of nature including for wilderness, rural and urban settings, as well as in different applications of creativity such as in the arts, workplace, education, and laboratory conditions. Qualitative and case study research also supported the positive relationship between nature and creativity including in diverse nature settings and in different applications such as in visual arts, design, writing, music, free play in kindergartens, and work. Qualitative studies highlighted potential mechanisms behind this relationship, including time in solitude, appreciation of impermanence, relaxation and inspiration, and disconnection from technology. Moreover, the degree of exposure to nature may be an important consideration for creative performance with more immersive, real-life experiences typical of outdoor nature, tending to be more effective than indoor spaces with window views or indoor plants. These preliminary findings suggest that more opportunities to connect with nature, especially in the outdoors, may help to stimulate creativity in a wide range of settings including education, the creative arts, and workplaces, although more high-quality research examining the sustained effects of nature on creativity is needed.

The Role of Art in Empowering Marginalized Communities

Art has historically played a significant role in providing a voice to marginalized communities, enabling them to share their unique cultural narratives, express resilience, and advocate for social justice. This paper examines how visual, performing, and folk arts contribute to the empowerment of communities that have long been excluded from socio-political and economic development. Through historical analysis of art movements such as the Mexican Muralist Movement and the Black Arts Movement, alongside case studies like the Allsorts SLAM and “I am Liverpool,” the study underscores art’s role in fostering identity construction, well-being, and social capital. Additionally, the paper addresses the challenges in aligning art-based initiatives with the true needs of marginalized groups and proposes strategies for creating sustainable, community-centered art projects that drive long-term empowerment. Keywords: Marginalized communities, Empowerment through art, Cultural identity, Social justice.

Exploring the Intersection of Social Justice and Health through Art

This paper examines the role of art in advocating for social justice and addressing health disparities. It highlights how various artistic mediums such as photography, installations, performance, and visual arts serve as powerful tools to communicate the complexities of structural inequality and promote public health advocacy. The review discusses the intersection of art and politics, as well as the potential for art to shift perspectives, foster empathy, and influence policy. It delves into case studies where artistic initiatives have contributed to health advocacy, particularly in marginalized communities, and demonstrates how art can be an effective therapeutic tool for healing, empowerment, and mobilization for health equity. Keywords: Social Justice, Health Disparities, Art and Activism, Health Equity, Community Engagement.

Narratives of Mental Illness and Well-being: A 6-Week Course Aiming to Improve Medical Student Empathy and Resilience Through the Creative Arts.

Narratives of mental illness and well-being are difficult to communicate in medical education. The arts convey these narratives and may strengthen medical student capabilities. This study evaluated the efficacy of a 2021 6-week seminar-style course for medical students focused on five mental states through the lens of visual arts, film, and literature to impact student capabilities. Pre- and post-course administration of standardized rating scales, including the Jefferson Scale of Empathy Medical Students (JSE-S), the Groningen Reflection Ability Scale (GRAS), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), measured course impact on medical student empathy, reflective functioning, and resiliency, respectively. Administration of these scales on a matched control group of students not enrolled in the course served for comparison. Pre- and post-course survey data demonstrates that the course improves at levels of statistical significance medical students' empathy (JSE-S score 77.50 SD = 15.76 improving to 93.80 SD 20.92, p = 0.0068, t = 4.19, df = 4) and resilience (CD-RISC score 65.83 SD = 14.36 improving to 78.60 SD = 10.92, p = 0.0137, t = 4.19, df = 4), but not reflective functioning (GRAS score 91 SD = 9.14 improving to 95.20 SD = 10.06, p = 0.1444, t = 1.81, df = 4). The control group showed no statistically significant differences pre- and post-course. Limitations notwithstanding, this study suggests that the analysis of film, literature, and visual art may improve medical students' empathy and resilience. Future studies may explore reproducibility among larger sample sizes at differing institutions and curricula as well as downstream effects on patient care and well-being.

Visual Art Representation and Social Attitudes Towards Transgender Individuals in Pakistan: Exploring Queer Theory, Personal Narratives, and Societal Change

This research paper investigates the intricate interplay between visual art representation, social attitudes, and the experiences of transgender individuals within the Pakistani context. By integrating the frameworks of queer theory, personal narratives, and the recent enactment of the transgender bill, this study aims to contribute to the creation of a more inclusive and supportive society for transgender individuals in Pakistan. The paper begins by providing a comprehensive understanding of key terms such as LGBT, transgender, and gay, clarifying their distinct meanings to avoid misconceptions. It then introduces the theoretical lens of queer theory, which offers critical insights into challenging societal norms and perceptions regarding gender and sexuality. Through an in-depth case study of a college friend who underwent a gender transition and now identifies as a woman, the researcher engages in meaningful dialogue to gain a profound understanding of her personal experiences, challenges, and transformative journey. This exploration sheds light on the emotional disorientation and internal conflicts often encountered when interacting with individuals who have undergone gender transitions, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding in fostering meaningful connections. Furthermore, the research delves into the realm of visual art practices among transgender individuals in Pakistan, analyzing the artistic expressions of transgender artists and those who explore transgender themes. By examining the transformative power of visual art to raise awareness, promote empathy, and challenge stereotypes, the study highlights the potential of art as a catalyst for social change and acceptance. In addition, the paper addresses the broader societal implications and attitudes towards transgender individuals in Pakistani society, particularly in the context of the transgender bill. It underscores the urgency for progress in terms of ensuring equal treatment, inclusivity, and acceptance, aiming to dismantle discriminatory practices and foster an environment that embraces diversity. Overall, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on transgender rights and social attitudes in Pakistan. By amplifying personal narratives, employing queer theory as an analytical framework, and recognizing the transformative potential of visual art, this study advocates for the dignified treatment and facilitation of transgender individuals as valued members of society with respect and equality.

Presentation of a Video Animation with a Feminist Approach: An Exploration of Turkish Shadow Play

Istanbul-born visual artist and activist Canan Şenol-CANAN (1970-) created the video animation Ibretnüma-Exemplary (2009), which tells the story of a young girl who moves from an Anatolian village to a big city. The animation addresses themes such as marriage, motherhood, and old age, focusing on the current status of women in Turkish culture. It critiques the oppression created by marriage and family structures and highlights how the female body is reduced to a political and religious commodity in the protagonist's life. It also criticizes the orientalization of female beauty and its use for consumer exploitation, with any subjective evaluations clearly marked as such. The narrative is delivered by a narrator using the fairy-tale storytelling method, rooted in Anatolia's centuries-old oral narrative tradition. The piece dismantles patriarchal ideologies and non-verbal restrictions imposed on women during Türkiye's modernization process, merging an avant-garde and feminist approach in its representation technique. To illustrate the representation of every aspect of the female body, the video employs a varied visual range, incorporating traditional Turkish shadow play, largely sourced from original works and combined with collage elements.

Creativity, credit, and copyright in the age of artificial art

ABSTRACT Generative artificial intelligence is transforming the way we make, and think about, art. With prompting from human users, these generative systems now produce aesthetically compelling and seemingly creative works in a variety of artistic domains. In doing so, they challenge the ways we think about artistic credit, about creativity, and about the mechanism of legal copyright, which is meant to protect and promote creativity in a capitalist art market. All of this is currently at play in the courtroom, as artists contest the ways in which their artworks can be rightfully fed into these artificial systems (“the problem of the inputs”), and other artists are challenged over whether they might be credited for the visual images these systems generate (“the problem of the outputs”). Here, we explore these problems as they arise in visual art. We argue that the contested legal landscape surrounding these artificial systems reflects the ways they challenge our received notions of artistic credit and creativity. And we suggest that clarifying or changing the application of copyright in light of their generative capacities will ultimately involve revising our conception of art.

Research on Subtitle Translation from the Perspective of Eco-Translatology’s Three-Dimensional Transformation Theory:

As a comprehensive medium that integrates visual, auditory, and narrative arts, film serves as a carrier for cultural transmission. In the context of rapid economic development and accelerated globalization, movies have become important vehicles for showcasing the cultural and historical richness of different countries. In recent years, Chinese films have emerged prolifically, gaining attention worldwide and not only providing entertainment for foreign audiences but also actively promoting the dissemination of Chinese culture and values globally (Fan Xiaodi, 2020). To help foreign viewers better understand Chinese films and foster cultural exchange and development among nations, this paper analyzes the subtitle translation of the film "The Wandering Earth" through the lens of ecological translation studies, applying the three-dimensional transformation theory. Additionally, the study explores potential issues in subtitle translation, such as free translation and cultural conflicts. By analyzing the subtitle translation of "The Wandering Earth," this paper underscores the importance of ecological translation perspectives in subtitle studies, which can enhance the international competitiveness and cultural recognition of Chinese films, while also providing insights into future directions for subtitle translation research.

The era of hypertext poetry: A study on the digital presentation of visual poetry

Visual poetry is a creative form that combines poetry with visual art. Nowadays, visual poetry is gradually changing under the influence of the digital age, which is called “hypertext poetry” to a certain extent. This paper is based on the present situation of the literature and some existing theories such as visual principle, visual presentation, information structure, and so on. From the classic cases in the long development of “visual poetry” and the outstanding presentation style of “visual poetry” in the Internet era as the material support, this paper summarizes the presentation mode of “visual poetry” at present, and looks forward to its future trend and development direction.

Visual Representations of Dance and Gender in the Hebrew Bible and the Ancient World

This essay outlines the visual reception of dance in the Hebrew Bible and the broader ancient world. It begins with depictions of dance within the visual culture of the ancient Near East, as well as Greek, Roman and Egyptian visual art. It next explores texts from the Hebrew Bible which depict dance and outlines various ways in which these have been brought to life visually through the centuries. The representation of gender in these visual depictions is drawn out and explored throughout the essay.

Teachers’ perceptions and practices of iPads for visual arts learning in early childhood education

This paper contributes to the ongoing debate about information and communications technologies integration in early childhood education, specifically its role in promoting visual arts education. We explored the use of iPads to support young children’s visual arts learning. A qualitative case study approach used observations, interviews, and children’s assessments to obtain data. Results showed that teachers held positive perceptions of iPads as tools for young children’s visual arts education, teachers collaborated with children while using iPads, and teachers integrated iPads with traditional art resources. The study suggests that teachers’ positive perceptions of iPads and their purposeful integration into children’s learning environments could creatively foster young children’s visual arts education.

Operational Competence of the Visual Arts Teacher in Art Practice: Interrogating the Underlying Factors

This study is on operational competence of Visual Arts teachers’ art practice, focusing on the factors influencing their competence and its relevance in contemporary contexts of arts education. Drawing upon literature from education, art pedagogy, and teacher training, this study identifies key factors that contribute to the operational competence of Visual Arts practice, including artistic skill, proficiency and reflective practice. Through an analysis of empirical studies and practical insights, the study highlights the visual arts teachers’ own art practice factors. It also underscores the significance of research informed policies and curriculum frameworks that support the holistic development of Visual Arts education and the cultivation of a vibrant artistic community within schools and society at large. It engages qualitative research design. A sample of twelve (12) Visual Arts students and one (1) Visual Arts teacher each from eleven (11) schools within the six Education Districts of Lagos State were purposively selected. Data was obtained using Portfolio Review Rubrics. Thematic Analysis was employed in analysing data gathered. Findings revealed that Visual Arts teachers’ competence in art practice differs in nuances of scope. It also revealed that teachers’ competence in art practice is a determinant of students’ learning outcome in art practice. Based on the findings, recommendations were made that workshops and conferences on art practice and pedagogy be organised for Visual Arts teachers to improve their operational competence in art practice. It further recommended that art teachers’ training curriculum be re-packaged to include more art practice activities than pedagogy so as to adequately build their art practice competence in scope and strength for prospective art teaching career.

Methodologies and Procedures for the Audiovisual Creation and Direction of Virtual Reality Short Films with Volumetric Capture. An Innovation Project for Higher Education

Virtual reality (VR) has become a cutting-edge medium for interactive experiences and immersive storytelling. In this setting, virtual reality short films have become more popular. They provide audiences with the chance to fully submerge themselves in three-dimensional environments and experience the staging of fictional events firsthand. This article presents a method for producing virtual reality short films using volumetric capture, which enables the implementation of real-time acting captured in three-dimensional video in virtual space-time.The production process is explained, starting with the idea of creating hybrid virtual reality cinematic experiences that blend various methods and assets, such as volumetric capture, computer graphics, and 360-degree film. For this experience, the production of the second episode of the virtual reality series The Stigma Machine (Martínez-Cano, 2022-currently) was carried out within the framework of the educational innovation project PIEU_B/2023_69: Production of prosocial-immersive audiovisual narratives in virtual reality, which involves 20 students from Miguel Hernández University’s Degree in Audiovisual Communication and the Double Degree in Audiovisual Communication and Journalism.In order to experiment with the students on the various processes and techniques for the audiovisual creation of VR, a review of exceptional examples of VR short films with volumetric capture was conducted during the development of this project. Case studies were analyzed to illustrate the various solutions implemented to create immersive experiences from an emotional approach.The findings highlight future directions for the creation of VR short films with volumetric capture and stress the value of multidisciplinary cooperation between filmmakers, visual artists, and VR specialists in advancing the development of this type of immersive storytelling.

Visual arts as a catalyst for social change: Communicating powerful messages

This study examines the crucial role of Visual Arts as a catalyst for social change, focusing on its potential to communicate powerful messages that provoke thought, inspire action, and foster empathy. By investigating various contemporary art forms, such as street art and digital art this research aims to highlight the ways in which artists harness their work to address pressing social issues and promote positive change. Through an analysis of case studies featuring renowned artists and their impactful pieces, the study illustrates how visual arts can transcend language barriers, evoke emotional responses, and inspire individuals to engage in critical reflection and dialogue. In addition, this research underscores the potential of visual arts to create shared experiences and unite diverse communities around common causes, ultimately fostering understanding and paving the way for transformative societal advancements. In doing so, the study seeks to emphasize the unique and potent ability of visual arts to communicate powerful messages, drive social change, and cultivate a more informed, empathetic, and connected global community by leveraging various forms of visual communication, including linguistic signs and symbols, to convey meaning and provoke thought.

Enhancing Mathematical Interest through Visual Arts Integration: A Systematic Literature Review

This study explores the inclusion of the visual arts in mathematics instruction as a means of piquing students' interest in a topic that is frequently regarded as difficult. We evaluate numerous research that have been undertaken in this situation by completing an extensive literature study. Our findings show that the inclusion of visual arts in mathematics instruction has been helpful in piquing students' attention, boosting their motivation, and creating possibilities for them to investigate challenging mathematical ideas in a more imaginative way. These results provide a deeper understanding of the importance of visual arts in creating an engaging mathematics learning environment. The study also highlights challenges that need to be addressed and provides insights for further development in the application of visual arts in mathematics education. Thus, the integration of visual arts has significant potential to build interest in mathematics and enrich students' learning experiences.

Self-Imagining

While Western Europe’s visual cultural resistance to populism is often highlighted in both the media and academic studies, resistance to populism through artistic and cultural production is very seldom addressed in the academic studies dedicated to East-Central Europe. This does not mean that the cultural producers from the former East do not confront the surge of neo-populism in the region. How do artists understand and figure out cultural alternatives and resist right-wing populist politics and its culture in East-Central Europe? What are their strategies to react against ‘culturally popular’ formats and ethnoreligious nationalist culture in an age of generalised anxiety? This article focuses on alternative archives of visual art against populism, within which it addresses self-portraits, double-self-portraits, and multi-self-portraits understood as visual cultural productions that resist the pre-existing depictions of ‘the people’ – employed by the right-wing populist entrepreneurs – to polarise societies into friends versus enemies.