Self Metamorphosis
Mindful Mandala
MULTIMEDIA COLLABORATIVE ART
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Mandalas have long been used as an art therapy tool to promote mental health and well-being in individuals. The circular shape and intricate patterns can be both calming and meditative, helping individuals to reduce stress, anxiety, and negative emotions. It is my thought that by working on a mandala as a team, participants can also build communication skills, trust, and a sense of community.
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Once the mandala was complete, the final step was to photograph it, animate it digitally, and select music to go with it. This not only adds an exciting element to the project, but also helps participants to further engage with the finished creation in multiple formats that speak to multiple senses.
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Overall, this art project was a meaningful and therapeutic way to bring people together, promote healing and collaboration, and create a beautiful work of art. It was heavily inspired by the tradition of using mandalas as a tool for mental health, and takes it to a new level by making it a group experience with a creative and expressive outcome.
This project was created with the hopes of promoting collaboration and invoking a positive artistic bonding experience in a small group of people. I began the process by creating a unique mandala design using Photoshop, and then printed it in a large-scale format.
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Then, using watercolor pencils, my partner, our family and I colored it in as a team. This allowed us to work together to create something beautiful, while also promoting relaxation, focus, and healing.
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As we colored in the mandala, we switched places at one point, allowing each person to practice non-attachment to the section they had colored in. This was a powerful way for participants to learn to let go of their individual ownership of the work and embrace the final product as a group creation.
Video: Making the "Mindful Mandala"
Framed and finished "Mindful Mandala"
