Visual Arts and Health - the new Cultura e Salute lecture series

All is set for the fourth edition of the Cultura e Salute (Culture and Health) university course. This year's focus is on the connection between the visual arts, health, and well-being. The course, titled "Visual Arts and Health", is organised by the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences of Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), in collaboration with the Cultural Division of the City of Lugano and IBSA Foundation for scientific research. It will be held at USI East Campus from Monday, 7 October to Monday, 2 December.

After delving into the role of music and literature in human health, this year, the focus will turn to the visual arts. The course will, therefore, provide an understanding of how art can effectively heal, rehabilitate, enhance cognitive abilities, and manage anxiety and stress. These are some of the pieces of evidence that emerge from the most up-to-date scientific literature and that have inspired Visual Arts and Health, the fourth edition of the Cultura e Salute (Culture and Health) University Course, promoted by the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences of Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) with the Culture Division of the City of Lugano and IBSA Foundation for Scientific Research, aimed at medical students and doctoral students, but also open free of charge to all citizens interested in learning more about these topics.

Renowned figures from the fields of science and culture on an international scale will engage in discussions with professors from the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and the USI Academy of Architecture. A series of 7 themed lectures will guide students in exploring the connection between the visual arts and health, encompassing various forms such as painting, photography, architecture, cinema, digital art, design, and performance. The focus will be on the presentation of studies, scientific evidence, techniques, and innovative methods for integrating care and promoting health and psycho-physical well-being.

"The field of medicine is rapidly evolving due to advancements in medical science and technology. Despite these changes, the role of the physician and the relationship with patients remain central in patient care. Therefore, providing a comprehensive education for new generations of doctors is increasingly important. This education should integrate advanced medical knowledge and techniques with interpersonal skills that enhance the relational and human aspects of the profession. To achieve this goal, we have been promoting the Culture and Health course as part of our faculty's academic program for the past four years," states Giovanni Pedrazzini, Dean of the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences at USI.

Reflecting on the educational potential of visual thinking strategy, exploring the neuronal mechanisms involved in an artistic experience, discovering the new vocation of museums as centres for individual and social well-being, and investigating the new frontiers of art therapy. These are some examples of the encounter between art and health that experts will explore in the new edition of the Cultura e Salute university course.

"Based on the success of previous years, we are delighted to present today the university course "Visual Arts and Health", part of the broader "Cultura e Salute" project launched in 2020 to foster dialogue between the humanities and science. After exploring various art forms, including music and writing, this year's course will focus on exploring the connections between visual arts and individual and social well-being. It will present new theories and perspectives on the relationship between these seemingly distant but profoundly linked fields."- states Roberto Badaracco, Deputy Mayor and Head of the Culture, Sport and Events Department of the City of Lugano.

The course, coordinated by Enzo Grossi, member of the Advisory Board of IBSA Foundation and Luigi Di Corato, Director of the Culture Division of the City of Lugano, will be divided into several lectures, each one introduced by a keynote that will present the topic based on the latest scientific evidence, followed by a moment of discussion and debate between the experts and the audience. Among this year's most anticipated encounters will be the debate between Semir Zeky - neurobiologist and founder of Neuroaesthetics, professor at University College London and the University of California at Berkeley - and David Tremlett, an artist universally known for his wall drawing in public spaces and buildings - such as churches, hospitals, civil and residential buildings.

"After four years since its launch, the Cultura e Salute project continues to attract the interest of hundreds of young students, PhD students, and local citizens. Renowned figures in the cultural, artistic, and scientific communities on both the national and international stage have contributed to the project's success. This innovative project holds great scientific and educational value, recognising that culture and artistic expressions are not solely for recreation and entertainment, but also serve as real tools for promoting health, physical well-being, and psychological well-being." emphasises Silvia Misiti, Director of the IBSA Foundation for scientific research.

"The Cultura e Salute course has allowed us to explore the extraordinary power of the arts for people's health and well-being for the first time in Switzerland. This was made possible through the direct and open contribution of young researchers, scientists, great thinkers, and artists from all over the world, including our own Ticino. The course has benefited students, professionals, and ordinary citizens, demonstrating how culture plays a strong and necessary social role in contemporary societies," - concludes Luigi Di Corato, Director of the Culture Division of the City of Lugano.

The first appointment is on Monday, 7 October, in the multipurpose room of the East Campus in Lugano, from 6 to 7:45 pm. The lectures will be held in Italian and English, with simultaneous translation into Italian, and will be recorded and published online at the end of the course.

For full details on the course and complete programme:

• Culture and Health University Course - Visual Arts and Health
• Culture and Health - Website
• Culture and Health - Visual Arts and Health (usi.ch)

By attending all the meetings:

• Master's degree students in human medicine will be able to obtain 1 ECTS (optional course) following the drafting of a final report, based on certain points indicated in the course sheet (on iCorsi);
• PhD students from the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences may obtain 0.5 ECTS;
• students of the Bachelor's and Master's programmes of the Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society may obtain 1 ECTS

Full course programme

Monday, 7 October
Visual thinking strategies in medicine
Guest: Vincenza Ferrara, Sapienza Università di Roma; Associazione VTSItalia (IT)
In dialogue with: Fabrizio Consorti, Gruppo Qualità e Innovazione della Didattica (QuID), Sapienza Università di Roma; Past-president SIPeM (IT)

Monday 14 October
How art changes our brain
Guest: Semir Zeki, University College London (UK)
In dialogue with: David Tremlett, Artista, photographer and sculpture (UK-CH)

Monday 28 October
Do museums really make you feel better?
Guest: Enzo Grossi, IBSA Foundation (CH); Fondazione Villa Santa Maria (IT)
In dialogue with: Christoph Frank, Full Professor, Academy of Architecture USI (CH)

Monday 4 November
Art therapy and psychotherapy: models and practices
Guest: Roberta Pedrinis, Studio privato di psicoterapia e arteterapia a Tesserete. Arte terapeuta presso la Lega ticinese contro il Cancro (CH)
In dialogue with: Angelo Compare, Full Professor of Clinical and Health Psychology at the Università degli studi di Bergamo (University of Bergamo) and Head of the Psychology Team at the Centro Diagnostico Italiano (CDI, Italian Diagnostics Centre) (IT)

Monday 18 November
Effectiveness of Art Therapy in Medicine: the evidence speaks for itself
Relatore: Enzo Grossi, IBSA Foundation (CH); Fondazione Villa Santa Maria (IT)
Discussione con: Gianna Carla Riccitelli, Istituto di Neuroscienze Clinica, EOC; Facoltà di scienze biomediche USI (CH)

Monday 25 November
Art in hospitals: past and present
Relatore: Enzo Grossi, IBSA Foundation (CH); Fondazione Villa Santa Maria (IT)
Discussione con: Walter Angonese, Direttore, decano e professore ordinario dell’Accademia di architettura USI (CH) e Michael Groetzer, Prof. Dr. med, Medical Director, Kinderspital Zurich; Full Professor of Paediatrics, University of Zurich (CH)

Monday 02 December
How cinema becomes therapy
Relatore: Enzo Grossi, IBSA Foundation (CH); Fondazione Villa Santa Maria (IT)
Discussione con: Fulvia Salvi, Presidente, Medicinema Italia (IT)