Conference article

The objectives of this study are to practice and evaluate a program that can be brought about through touching and grasping; with a focus on the psychological effect of ‘Active Art’. For the purposes of this study; ‘Active Art’ is defined as art works and art creations that encourage the movement to touch. The work program with ‘Active Art’ we created is ‘Let’s draw fireworks!’; by touching an electronic panel and squeezing a rubber air pump to create art works which can then be printed on postcards. The work brings about a desire to do more; and induces movement of touching; grasping and squeezing. I analysed ratings of the subjects’ mood by using a shortened version of POMS. The POMS measure of mood after ‘Let’s draw fireworks!’ stimulation revealed a reduction of ‘Tension – Anxiety’; ‘Depression – Dejection’; ‘Anger – Hostility’; ‘Fatigue’; and ‘Confusion’; and a maintenance of ‘Vigor’. Subjects’ mood after the program was confirmed to have improved significantly in comparison with their mood before the program.

Active Art; Touching; Grasping; Mood; POMS