When I paint, I usually have music playing. Sound and painting may seem far apart, but I feel both are "things that work within time." Here is what I learned about the power of music.
There is a field called music therapy
The Japanese Music Therapy Association defines music therapy as "the intentional and planned use of music, drawing on its physiological, psychological and social functions, toward recovery from physical and mental disabilities, maintenance and improvement of function, improvement of quality of life, and change in behavior" (2001).
It is practiced in medical care, welfare, health and education, and is said to help ease anxiety and pain, bring mental stability, encourage spontaneity and activity, improve body movement, express emotions and support communication.
Research on dementia
In the field of dementia, reports that music therapy improved cognitive function have been accumulating, and its effectiveness for people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia has been shown.
However, it has also been reported that for functions such as attention and executive function, the level of evidence is not yet high. To be honest, the current state is that we can say it seems to have an effect, and no more.
Things that work before words
What music and painting have in common, I think, is that they can receive feelings as they are, before they are put into words. Even when you cannot say you are sad, you can listen to a sad song. Even feelings you cannot express well can be set down in color and form.
When I paint commissioned art, I listen at length to the person who asked me. But what I leave in the painting in the end is the part that did not quite become words. That may be close to what music carries.
I think of Mermaid nao's commissioned art as work that leaves, in color and form, the feelings that lie before words.
Sources
Japanese Music Therapy Association (About the association / Definition of music therapy)
Japanese Society for Palliative Medicine, Guidelines on complementary and alternative therapies for cancer (Music therapy: clinical evidence)
Kenko Choju Net (Music therapy)
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