Art, Mind and Diversity, a multidisciplinary course at SACI, represents an opportunity for an art student to approach some key moments in the history of interpretation of the human mind, while developing art projects in collaboration with Fili e Colori, a daily therapy center in Florence. An overview of ideas on human nature begins with the 19th century context of the Florentine Museum of Anthropo
logy. Myths and fairytales are approached as a repertoire of universal images, which is followed by a brief history of the psychoanalytic ideas. Political aspects of the treatment and isolation of mental patients is approached through the writings of Michel Foucault and Thomas Szasz. The practical part of the course may include a variety of approaches to art, such as (collaborative) painting and drawing, assemblage, performance art, documentary photography or video, as well as “discursive” methods and community based art forms. Most of all, the course is based on a creative dialogue between the students and the regular participants of the therapy center, as well as collective outdoor activities and museum visits. Activities will also include occasional dialogue with poets, visual artists and theater directors whose work is associated with the course themes.
