Psychoanalysis and art, link beyond the unconscious

Psychoanalysis has been strongly related to art since the beginning of its time. Therefore, we can speak of psychoanalysis and art as two closely related disciplines.

Sigmund Freud was the creator of psychoanalysis, a philosophy, therapeutic practice and research that focuses on the study and intervention of the human being, especially in relation to unconscious aspects. Now, within his studies, Freud mentioned art on several occasions and even saw it as a mobilizer of anxieties.

Certainly, The link of the unconscious with art has been widely recognized. Through this article we will go beyond that. We will talk about what the relationship is between these two disciplines. We suggest that you join us on this journey.

Psychoanalysis and art, the times of Freud

Freud had a very close relationship with art. In fact, he spent hours in museums analyzing the works. So, he enjoyed and was attracted to many of the expressions that were considered art and even collected pieces of sculpture. Furthermore, in some of his letters he confessed the admiration he had for some authors such as, for example, Cervantes.

From his admiration for literary and mythological works some of his analyzes were born, which he would later collect in his books.. For example: The Oedipus complex, The poet and fantasy, Dostoevsky and patricide, and a childhood memory of Leonardo Davinci, among others.

Freud has left us an important legacy, this is evidence of the link between psychoanalysis and art. Let’s see his contributions:

Questioning the artistic, mythological and cultural origin. Analysis of the relationship between the creator and his work. The effect of the work of art on the viewer. The intention of the artist. Concept of sublimation.

Freud immersed himself so much in art that it conditioned much of his thinking.. He defined the artist as one who finds his way back to reality. And, like someone who has the amazing ability to shape a material until it becomes a faithful copy of the fantasy representation of it.

So, He saw the artist as a person with the ability to transform his instincts into realities through art. In addition to converting those impulses into something that was aesthetic, that is, socially acceptable.

Besides, Freud suggested that the artist and the analyst were closely related, because both work on the same object, only each one with a different method; the psychoanalyst through analysis and the artist through his work.

From anguish to creativity

In his immersion in art studies, Freud came to shape the concept of sublimation. It is a defense mechanism that would allow one to change the sexual goal for one that is higher and has greater social value. That is, art would be a way of following our impulses through a vehicle that society accepts. Hence, future authors of psychoanalysis have continued to emphasize this kind of transformation of our unconscious impulses and mechanisms.

In fact, various psychoanalysts began to establish that art is a kind of vehicle, since it facilitates mobilization. In this case of anguish. So, it is a way to transform suffering.

Subsequently It was established that art is a way of organizing emptiness. The emptiness would be the impulses we have and art a way to contain them. Then, we would transform anxieties, impulses and other unconscious mechanisms into art.

Thus, we convert what we carry inside into something that is more digestible, both for ourselves and for others. Thus, we mobilize what we feel, we transform it into art.

Psychoanalytic therapy and art

From psychoanalysis it is proposed that When a person has a mental disorder, art can be helpful. This happens because the person establishes the first links with what is inside them, beginning to better understand what is happening to them.

Besides, From psychoanalysis, creative manifestation has been seen as a form of relief, as an effective alcohol to clean wounds.. A therapeutic complement of incalculable value due to the absence of restrictions.

Even, Currently there are various psychoanalysts who use art as a therapeutic means during your consultations. For example, Bayro Corrochano, who in an article for the CES Psychology Magazine, tells the story of a boy who during his analysis used clay to create. Thus, little by little he was establishing links with reality through analysis and his own works.

Psychoanalysts in art

Various psychoanalysts have approached art. Let’s look at some of them:

Otto Rank. He proposed that art is a way to overcome anguish.Donald Winnicott. He saw art as a means to give or find meaning to what we do.Melanie Klein. He suggested art as a reorganizer of the structure of the mind.Wilfred Bion. He indicated that art could be a way to contain anxieties.Jacques Lacan. He suggested that art is a way to organize and calm the emptiness we feel: we are talking about a form of communication that would connect directly with the unconscious.

Psychoanalysis and art are two disciplines that are closely related. Both have to do with the human being, and can bring out the deepest aspects of it. Thus, thanks to this link, this path has continued to be explored as an alternative to help people from psychology. A blank canvas to understand and integrate suffering into personal history.

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