Representation of obsessions and compulsions in art : Tick-tock on the clock // but the party don’t stop video installation as a case study
Korhonen, Annika (2020)
Korhonen, Annika
2020
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202004306639
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202004306639
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of this study was to gather information on artworks that explore themes of obsessions, compulsions and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Alongside this written part of the thesis, a two-channel video installation titled Tick-tock on the clock // but the party don’t stop was created. The study was conducted in order to form a theoretical basis for the video installation, and to place the installation in the context of contemporary art.
The data for this thesis were collected from a variety of sources, including articles, books and video interviews about relevant topics such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. Artworks from the 1990s to 2010s by artists Yayoi Kusama, Bruce Nauman and Léonie Hampton were analysed.
It was found that the artworks had several connecting elements, especially a focus on repetition of forms and actions, ritualistic behaviour and physicality. Furthermore, it was found that obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental disorder not commonly explored in the field of contemporary art or talked about publicly. This would suggest that there is a need for more depictions of the disorder, in order to reduce misunderstandings and shame surrounding it. Art on the topic can lead to a better understanding of the disorder and help people suffering from it feel correctly represented.
The data for this thesis were collected from a variety of sources, including articles, books and video interviews about relevant topics such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. Artworks from the 1990s to 2010s by artists Yayoi Kusama, Bruce Nauman and Léonie Hampton were analysed.
It was found that the artworks had several connecting elements, especially a focus on repetition of forms and actions, ritualistic behaviour and physicality. Furthermore, it was found that obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental disorder not commonly explored in the field of contemporary art or talked about publicly. This would suggest that there is a need for more depictions of the disorder, in order to reduce misunderstandings and shame surrounding it. Art on the topic can lead to a better understanding of the disorder and help people suffering from it feel correctly represented.