Cultura e Salute - Visual Arts and Health

Once again this year, figures from the world of science and culture, along with professors from the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and the Academy of Architecture at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), coordinated by Enzo Grossi and Luigi Di Corato, will engage in discussions for seven Mondays on seven topics that connect the visual arts to the health and well-being of individuals. This is what 'Visual Arts and Health' offers, the fourth edition of the Cultura e Salute (Culture and Health) course promoted by the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences at USI in collaboration with the Cultural Division of the City of Lugano and IBSA Foundation for scientific research.

The themed lectures, which are open to the public, will take place from Monday, 7 October to Monday, 2 December in the Aula Polivalente Hall at East Campus in Lugano from 6 p.m. to 7.45 p.m.

The meetings are aimed at students and doctoral students from the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, the Academy of Architecture and the Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society at USI, as well as all citizens who wish to attend. Each lecture will include an introductory keynote speech that will present the topic based on the most up-to-date scientific literature. This introduction will be followed by a debate in which one or more experts will be involved as discussants.

The structure of the course

The 2024 edition of the USI Cultura e Salute (Culture and Health) course takes a decisive step into the field of visual arts. It involves artistic practices that relate to visual perception, which range from painting to photography, architecture to film, sculpture to digital art, and design to performance.

In simple terms, we engage with the visual arts in two main ways: by observing or interacting with a work of art (such as visiting an exhibition or watching a film); or by making art (painting, sculpting, photographing, etc.).

In the context of health, we can interact with a work of art created or displayed in a healthcare setting to train doctors' perceptions through critical observation by applying Visual Thinking Strategies; or participate in an art therapy activity to help patients and caregivers communicate their emotions and feelings.

For each of these modes of engagement, there is a large body of scientific evidence attesting to their value for human health. Hence the name of the Course: Visual Arts and Health.

Unlike in previous years, course coordinator Prof. Enzo Grossi will also be the keynote speaker at four of these events, alternating with high-level scientists with expertise on the subject. He will be accompanied by Luigi Di Corato, Director of the Cultural Division of the City of Lugano, who will coordinate some of the discussions in the classroom.

Attending all meetings:

• Students of the USI Master of Medicine will be granted 1 ECTS (elective course) following the submission of a final report, based on specific topics specified in the course outline (on iCourses);
• PhD students in the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences will be able to obtain 0.5 ECTS;
• Students in the Bachelor's and Master's programmes of the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana will be able to obtain 1 ECTS;

Full course programme

07.10.2024 | Lesson 1
Visual strategic thinking in medicine.
 

14.10.2024 | Lesson 2
How art changes our brain
 

28.10.2024 | Lesson 3
Do museums really make you feel better?
 

04.11.2024 | Lesson 4
Art therapy and psychotherapy: models and practices
 

18.11.2024 | Lesson 5
Effectiveness of Art Therapy in Medicine: the evidence speaks for itself
 

25.11.2024 | Lesson 6
Art in hospitals: past and present
 

02.12.2024 | Lesson 7
How cinema becomes therapy