Abstract

Created Out of Mind will shape public and professional perceptions of dementia through a dynamic fusion of scientific and creative experimentation. Our Hub residency will support the active connection and collaboration of previously disparate cultures (scientists, artists, commissioners/policymakers) and infuse the insights and skills of people living with dementia, communications professionals and collaboration experts. Common (mis-)conceptions of dementia will be challenged through integrated artistic and scientific investigation of less recognised symptoms associated with typical and rare dementias. The project will investigate the neuroscientific, artistic and social bases of artistic engagement, enjoyment and change across multiple art forms. Interdisciplinary discussion, disagreement and creativity will also challenge and develop thinking regarding the principles, priorities, practice, health benefits and methodologically-robust evaluation of arts in dementia. Our inspiration comes directly from the intriguing experiences, heart-rending questions and puzzling uncertainties of people living with dementia. Team members will become creative collaborators whilst maintaining their professional ‘essence’, yielding a richly and meaningfully interconnected network of multi-skilled science/arts researchers, practitioners and communicators. We will also enrich understanding about dementia by raising provocative questions about the healthy brain, our emotional reactions to change in ourselves and others, and the attributes by which we value and define humanity.

Aims

Using a mix of observation techniques, communication methods and wearable technologies, the group have been conducting experiments and developing toolkits to measure the psychological, physiological and social impact of the arts for people living with dementias, and supporting the wider implementation of creative activities for those with a diagnosis.

The group has produced artworks, installations, compositions, sculptures, films and podcasts that communicate the varied personal experiences of living with dementias, with the aim to change the conversation around dementia. These include:

Talking Life – a series of podcasts sharing the personal stories and life observations of people experiencing dementias
Do I see what you see? – a powerful, short animated film narrated by people living with a rare form of visual dementia
Why Music? The Key to Memory – a series of live events and broadcasts in collaboration with BBC Radio 3.