ALU-SOC / Art Against Fear
Cooperation between the Academy of Fine Arts and the Faculty of Law of UNIZG
The student pilot project 'Art Against Fear' is based on a student initiative that was created between members of the Student Union of the University of Zagreb. Numerous components of the University of Zagreb participate in the project "Art Against Fear", including: the Academy of Fine Arts, the Faculty of Textile Technology, the Faculty of Dental Medicine, the Faculty of Organization and Informatics in Varaždin and many others. The aim of the first exhibition is to help the victims of the earthquake near Petrinja with their student works. The theme that the exhibition questions and represents is the mental and physical health of individuals in Croatia, the new "normal" and concepts such as social distance, life under masks, the shaking of man and the ground itself that create anxiety and concern. During the design and creation of the project, the desire to participate was also expressed by student associations that participate and contribute as art lovers. The synergy of a large number of students of the University of Zagreb shows that art is not created by itself, but by uniting everyone. It is this approach that enriches the exhibition "Art for the Needy", whose main purpose is joint creation. What is important to emphasize is that the exhibition contains works of interdisciplinary character that unite the unity of creation and participation of all components.
We believe that such cooperation between faculties, not only in the field of art, but also in many others, can contribute to the further progress of the University of Zagreb in terms of recognition, comprehensibility and solidarity. The humanities, social sciences, technical, natural sciences, biomedical and biotechnical faculties greatly helped the project in order to show the interdisciplinarity of all studies together. The basis of this project is the developed communication and development of students, and as an incentive, to launch many other interdisciplinary projects between the areas of the University. Cooperation, in the end, not only helps people who were injured in the earthquake, but also stimulates human sensitivity for help. In this way, students see how much joint work of a humanitarian character can leave a good feeling in creating parts that are intended for a higher purpose.
The ultimate goal of the "Art Against Fear" project is to show how great results are achieved through creative thinking and solutions, and by selling works at symbolic prices, we can actually show how much we as artists can contribute to a society in need. Art in this case is not only because of art (larpurlartism, from the French l'art pour l'art), but because of the needy and all those who are active participants in society. This type of project can be a good start towards something better, both for students and the community, as well as for the University of Zagreb and the City of Zagreb itself.
In fact, this connection between art and social work is not unknown internationally, since in recent years these areas have been connected through numerous projects and even theoretical approaches, as evidenced by the increasing amount of literature that continuously strengthens this connection. In addition to the traditional methods and techniques used by social work and other social activities to prevent or mitigate the negative consequences of social risks and problems of different social groups, art is proving to be a powerful tool in working with all types of potential or current service users, and of course for a wider affirmation of social topics in society. The potentials of cooperation between these two areas are enormous and further development depends only on the efforts that will be invested in the development of joint programs and projects within social work and fine arts. Cooperation within the ALU-SOC mini project represents a solid foundation for some future wider integration of these areas. (…)
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