Mindfulness, or Mindfulness, made its way into banking years ago. Now, well-known galleries and museums are also applying the concept of mindfulness: they believe that they are providing a great service to society with it.

«Mindfulness» involves focusing on one of three things: either on the breath or on sensations of the senses and body. And gently bringing attention back to it when thoughts inevitably wander.

At least, that's how Manchester Art Gallery defines mindfulness. And it takes center stage there, as the art gallery itself writes on its website: «Over the past four years, we have developed mindfulness activities in our learning programs with a broad audience to explore how this valuable skill can be used in perceiving art.»

Watching Thoughts Come Into Being

The gallery believes that it has helped people engage more deeply with their exhibitions: «By encountering familiar works as well as art that is completely new to them, participants could reflect on the significance of their own mental health.»

Specifically, one should observe one's thoughts, or how they arise in our minds, moment by moment. And this act of observation can then dramatically change the relationship with these thoughts, so that one no longer automatically and unreflectively acts on them or assumes that they are either right or wrong, but sees them for what they are: thoughts.

Psychotherapeutic Test

The world-famous Tate Gallery of Modern Art in London is also increasingly addressing the mental state of its visitors these days. For example, the gallery, in collaboration with a psychotherapist, has designed a test through which customers can find out what kind of painting from the collection they are currently in the mood for by answering some simple questions online.

The whole thing also has a connection to the present, as the Tate writes. The Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama once said she hoped the power of art could make the world more peaceful. But: «In today's busy modern world, we don't always take enough time for ourselves or for art.» This is what this test is supposed to change.

Entry Into Banking

The fact that mental health and concepts like mindfulness have been brought into the art world seems only logical after the concept has also spread in business and finance. Mindfulness has long been present in private banking, as reported by finews.ch in 2015 (in german only).

Back then, Patricia Angus, head of a family office consulting firm called Angus Advisory Group, explained what mindfulness could bring to the willing client advisor: «An inward-looking perspective is supposed to help you as an advisor overcome difficulties with the client. By simply registering and observing the situation, you experience the difference between your interpretation and the actual behavior of the client.»

Art and the Psyche, a Good Mix?

At the same time, it's not new that the engagement with art and the exploration of one's own psyche share certain similarities, as art therapy itself has been a form of therapy since the 1940s.

Since 2009, art therapy has also been combined with mindfulness. Patients participate in the creative process of art-making as a way to explore themselves. However, the added value of this form of therapy can only be speculated upon, as there are still no sufficiently proven studies for a serious assessment.»