Viewing art has long been considered to increase emotional and psychological well-being, but now there is a new study showing positive results that online art viewing has the same benefits. This shows how beneficial online art viewing could be for our seniors. Seniors that are unable to travel to museums or art viewings can now view them online and get the same benefits!
The Study: Online Art Viewing
The study, conducted by an international research team involving the University of Vienna, the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen, and the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics in Frankfurt am Main, explored the effects of online art viewing on mental well-being. The results showed that even a few minutes of viewing an interactive Monet Water Lily art exhibition from Google Arts and Culture could significantly improve mood and reduce anxiety. Just a few minutes!!
This study involved 240 participants who filled out a questionnaire about their state of mind, pleasure, and meaningfulness of the experience after viewing the exhibition. The researchers also found that individuals with high levels of aesthetic responsiveness benefit more from online art viewing.
Aesthetic responsiveness refers to how people react to diverse aesthetic stimuli, like art and nature. The Aesthetic Responsiveness Assessment (AReA) is a metric developed by Edward A. Vessel of MPIEA to measure this reaction. The study found that individuals with high levels of art and aesthetic responsiveness benefit more from online art viewing due to having more pleasurable and meaningful art experiences.
The Findings
The findings of this study are particularly relevant for seniors who have difficulty leaving their homes. Health problems or mobility issues can make it challenging for seniors to visit museums and galleries in person. Online art viewing can offer them an untapped source of support for well-being and improving moods. It can provide them with a way to explore the world of art and experience its benefits without leaving their homes.
Interestingly, the study suggests that interactive art exhibitions and similar online experiences should be designed with an awareness of individual differences in aesthetic responsiveness. By incorporating this element, the wellness potential of online art can be increased, and individuals with higher levels of aesthetic responsiveness can benefit even more. Although this may cause more studies to find out the range of aesthetic responsiveness among individuals, this great information was gleaned from this study.
From this study, we’ve gained an understanding of the benefits and limitations of art in digital media. It shows that online art viewing can have a positive impact on mental well-being and provides an avenue for those who have difficulty leaving their homes to access the benefits of art. It also highlights the importance of considering individual differences in aesthetic responsiveness when designing online art experiences.
This study’s findings indicate that viewing art online can be a powerful tool for improving mental well-being, particularly for seniors who have difficulty leaving home. The results also underscore the importance of considering individual differences in aesthetic responsiveness when designing online art experiences. Ultimately, this research paves the way for further exploration of how technology can be used to enhance our well-being and enrich our lives.
Interested in learning how our caregivers can help seniors with viewing art in or out of the house? See our services page for more information.
Sources:
Experiencing affective interactive art
How online art viewing can impact our well-being
Virtual art has a highly positive impact on mood and mental health
Interactive Art Exhibitions Can Improve Mood and Reduce Anxiety
