When art is the only medicine | Anne Basting | TEDxUWMilwaukee

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Artist and Scholar Anne Basting posits that art is the soft tissue that brings people into relationship, even in extreme situations like Alzheimer's. Forgetting memory and opening imagination can in turn open worlds in which people can find and connect with each other - easing isolation and drawing us into meaningful and healing relationship.
Educator, scholar and artist, Anne Basting's work focuses on the potential for the arts and humanities to improve our quality of life as communities and individuals. Basting believes that arts, in some situations, are the only form of medicine we have.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@be1410all]

Thank you for sharing this video and for sponsoring this passionate speaker, advocate, and practitioner. I greatly appreciate her interest in focusing on helping people establish social connections, build trust, and share unique contributions without fear. Indeed - social support is a part of medicine, but art therapy is one amazing vehicle for its delivery. Hurrah Anne Basting and Hurrah TEDx Talks for this great talk!

[@amelkhadidja]

So cute and its Just lovely how that Lady is engaged in her story and Just her over all genuine care ❤️

[@Taystarsims]

This is revolutionary!!!!! Using art, storytelling and intention to create positive and lasting impact. yes yes yes!!!!!!!! thank you for this huge inspiration ❤️🙏🏽✨

[@jcofortco]

WOW!! :) Anne you are a woman after my own heart. This presentation addressed my 2 passions - the Arts, & Nursing of the Elderly. As an RN, I sat here nodding away, laughing, tearing up,... because I've spent MANY a day and night in the 'secure wings', and the images you showed & portrayed are so true,..& sad at times!! I'd say that at least on the local level, these types of changes ARE happening in the 'institutional settings', albeit S-L-O-W-L-Y, because the Baby Boomers ask for it frankly. GOOD ones have 'Activities' staff that work to engage them, pull them out of their shell for as long as they are comfortable doing so. I'm sooo GLAD to see your work expanded to encompass those living at home. I'd LOVE to see more programs like the ones you explain put into practice!! :)

[@So-in5xi]

Such an important topic. ❤

[@Freebirdshearth]

I was in tears by the end of this. I feel my own life closing in due to age (I'm only 65 and I didn't expect this so soon). I want to be part of something like this with others in my situation. Thank you for the inspiration. I will be looking at your website to learn more, if I can find it. Thank you.

[@deborahgreenhut5025]

Beautiful work of never-ending creativity. I am so delighted to hear that caregivers are involved as much as carees. It’s time we integrate aging as part of life. ❤️

[@cjdevries]

Thank you for posting this video. I really appreciate Anne's work - I know that art and theater has been a big part of my healing. I find that art is not a panacea - but it is a great tool to use at certain times when we need to express ourselves to find healing. Art has the potential to save lives by giving a person purpose, hope, and an outlet for expression and release of emotions and feelings. Art has changed my life for the better. I love that part where she realized there were no walkers or wheel chairs at the performances. So great that she had the insight to see what could be done to help those less visible and in greater need. As someone who is fairly isolated my long term chronic illness, I find that it is very rare that I can do in person meetings, so doing a professional art or theater meetup group where I have to attend regularly is out of the question. This makes me think: what about those people who can't attend groups in order to build relationships and share experiences through art? Thankfully I can still do online meetups and develop relationships through those, but there are some people who can't even do that; people that are too ill to use a computer. I wonder what can be done to help others gain access to the arts, especially those who are gravely disabled? I think that the internet is probably the best tool available for most people, and thankfully there are so many online groups on zoom where people with mild disabilities can go. But it's good for me to reflect that not everyone has access to these opportunities.

[@katereese4816]

Incredible insights and so inspirational. Everything I would wish for my Mum in a 'Special care' nursing home. Can we please bring this home to Australia!

[@lisengel2498]

Strong story of creative engagement and aging and arts as ways of bringing people into meaningfull relationships

[@wildlovelyone]

Bless you Anne Basting , for the Beautiful Loving work that you are doing with the elderly.

[@yourjourneywithart]

Thanks for the video

[@07escalante]

Awesome video, when you talked about the 'artist home visit' I teared up because I thought how awesome would that be to have an artist come support you through an emotionally difficult time or accompany a person feeling isolated. Truly beautiful :)

[@stealingowls1228]

Thank you so much! I work with beautiful artists with intellectual disabilities. Time and time again I am faced with having to defend my belief that art is communication. I keep seeing these wonderful minds lose support and fade away. Is there a law that entitles them to the arts as a true life skill?

[@karenmiller1551]

This is so beautiful! If every human being knew the importance of engagement and didn’t rely on memory or “correct” answers... just imagine the human to human connection for all! That it didn’t matter if they were verbal or mentally challenged, didn’t matter on any level other than to be alive and in the moment with movement, music, joy, laughter, and a sharing heart to heart! LOVE what the possibilities are!

[@wingnutmcspazatron3957]

Wow I've never thought of it like that.

[@chilichickSantaFe]

A treasure trove of information.

[@lisengel2498]

The arts are ways of bringing us into relations bridging all kinds of differences memory, Imagination, hope, laughing - jumping from a picture - engaged open learning, playing, improvising -

[@suzannemoles8481]

I am art teacher in Blair, Oklahoma, so I was drawn to your video. I have a tidbit of information to share. THE ORIGINAL MALBORO MAN WAS FROM OUR SMALL TOWN, and HIS NAME IS FREDDY PRATHER!

[@MsPopeyeolive]

Surprised this only has 225 people who viewed and or liked it. This is big stuff. Today I did something similar to this- my new boss said “ What you are doing is similar to TimeSlips.” I then found Anne. This is definitely similar to what I also facilitate. Awesome Stuff Anne. Thank You.

[@robzphotoz5465]

Very inspiring!

[@giselleremolina6862]

Beautiful proyect

[@ebit2279]

thank you so much

[@fannymanson]

Can this be my job too? This could be the thing that makes it all right again.

[@JUDE_WK]

por favor alguien pase un resumen necesito el contenido de esta cosa para un examen

[@eunsukmoon9243]

Moon eun suk

[@kalakritistudios]

This would be all very suspicious😢