#116 - Interview with Anne Labovitz - The Healing Power of Art

00:00:00: Today, I am delighted to welcome Anne Labovitz.

00:00:04: Anne is an acclaimed contemporary artist whose work explores the powerful intersection of art and well-being.

00:00:12: through immersive installation sculpture paintings light in color she creates experiences that invite people to slow down connect and reflect.

00:00:22: Her research-driven engagement led

00:00:24: practice

00:00:25: examines how art can foster empathy, strengthen communities and support emotional well being.

00:00:31: With more than three decades of artistic practice and exhibitions across the US and internationally Anne has become a leading voice on the role of creativity in building human connections.

00:00:49: Capricorn Connect People Potential Technology

00:01:00: And Lebovitz, thank you so much for joining the Capricorn Connect podcast.

00:01:04: It's such a pleasure to have your on board!

00:01:07: How are you today?

00:01:10: Pretty great excited to talk to you today.

00:01:12: Thank You for having me

00:01:13: and I would like to start the podcast with The question who was Your strongest influence in your art?

00:01:23: Well, my grandmother.

00:01:25: So my grandmother was an artist and My earliest memories are of her doing my portrait And so I would try to sit still while she did my portrait which i still couldn't sit Still.

00:01:36: that's kind of tricky business for me But she used to do my portrait and talk about martin buber's philosophy Of eye thou?

00:01:52: understanding and respect of each other might be instantaneous.

00:01:55: And so also think about Victor Frankl's philosophy, ideas around tragic optimism and will to meaning in the way I think that he talks about.

00:02:10: tragic optimism is through pain guilt death.

00:02:14: we can choose one's own attitude.

00:02:16: these are heavy ideas.

00:02:19: I think of myself as an optimist.

00:02:21: And that optimism for me, as an artist is something that I visually represent.

00:02:25: so these ideas are really big and they come into play in a visual way through color and mark making it particular scale right?

00:02:34: So something can be monumental scale to represent this idea's.

00:02:38: To Be Impactful!

00:02:40: Anne- I have question for you what was there defining moment when your realize art could become a vehicle for human connection?

00:02:51: Yeah, you know.

00:02:52: For sure!

00:02:53: I think through the portraiture of my grandmother.

00:02:55: i always knew that it was about Human Connection for me and as an artist I started out doing portraits And then later in the last ten years I've done this project called One-Twenty Two Conversations Person to Person Art Beyond Borders and That Project Was About Building Peace one individual at a time Through art.

00:03:16: And so it went to the Kurdish region of Iraq, Japan Canada Sweden and Russia.

00:03:24: We had a couple thousand volunteers who made this process happen through those intimate conversations where I interviewed people in each of these countries.

00:03:36: It was clear that kind of interaction is an art making process having all the interviews which inform that artwork.

00:03:45: So I had these really personal intimate one-on-one conversations like we're having today and then sometimes people would tell All kinds of interesting and personal things to me Which i wouldn't want to share with someone else because, I wouldn't wanna break That confidence.

00:04:01: And yet there's a way for Me To express those Things in Artworks.

00:04:05: so Then Those art works could be monumental In scale and for example be at the Minneapolis airport, a hundred eighty feet.

00:04:12: You can maybe do that math one hundred eighty by twenty-two feet so monumental scale yet represent these really intimate personal conversations around building peace.

00:04:23: uh...one individual at time I feel like is almost way of doing contemporary portraiture also recognizing the importance in ways we could build community conversation dialogue through art.

00:04:37: And do you remember maybe one particular story that inspired or stood out?

00:04:43: You can talk about without mentioning of course a name.

00:04:49: So what I learned is and your interviewer, so it wasn't really the questions but leaning in listening heard and what would happen at the end.

00:05:03: I always said, is there anything you'd like to add?

00:05:05: And i always found that was really interesting.

00:05:07: someone said well...I think I should tell you..i had breast cancer.

00:05:12: or i think i should tell my child committed suicide Or these deeply personal stories right That were powerful for me and just indicative of what happened For me in those interviews , i fell in love with every single person Because when you pause long enough to really acknowledge and listen to someone else, people are really beautiful.

00:05:39: All of us in different ways right?

00:05:41: And so I find that really inspiring.

00:05:46: You describe color as an energy or a life force.

00:05:50: what does color communicate?

00:05:52: that for example words cannot communicate.

00:05:57: So for me color is my first language.

00:06:01: I find that it's a way of expressing emotion and intensity, that transcends words.

00:06:11: And what we know is that color starts as physics, right?

00:06:15: It comes in as wavelengths hitting the retina.

00:06:19: The things that process those pathways into our lymphatic system governs our emotions.

00:06:25: so that's why you can have a really strong emotion to color.

00:06:28: So for me when I do large-scale works That take over your entire field of vision that are maybe twenty meters high then you have a different relationship to that kind of work than you do something really small.

00:06:49: It's like taking a color bath almost.

00:06:52: And would say certain colors represent certain emotions.

00:06:56: or can it generalize here?

00:07:02: Or depends on the person?

00:07:07: There's a lot of color theory and a lot Western color theory.

00:07:10: And what we know is that it all depends on this lived experience, cultures have different reactions to colors in different values around the color for example red In China as special color of luck right?

00:07:23: Here We use It As A Stop Sign To Alert People That To Something.

00:07:28: So I think it really Depends On The Way.

00:07:31: That Is The Beauty Of It Because You Make Something always know for sure how it's going to be received, even though you approach with intentionality and colors one of those deeply personal things.

00:07:47: Absolutely!

00:07:48: And you've become a leading voice in the field of art and well-being.

00:07:53: so I would be interested in knowing... How do you define the relationship between creativity and mental health?

00:08:01: Maybe you can elaborate on that one.

00:08:05: Yeah, well what we know like the science tells us that viewing art being in Artfield spaces and making art calms our central nervous system.

00:08:12: We even known now I read an article this week around UK's National Health System.

00:08:17: They have a ten-year Plan looking at preventative methods In health And one of the things they're looking at is bringing your art into that as well As in there also doing that in Greece which is really interesting?

00:08:30: i work with The Mayo Clinic Which Is A very important clinic in the United States here.

00:08:36: And they have a Center for Humanities and Medicine, and they do a lot of integrative programs around visual arts and music to help patients recover faster.

00:08:44: we know that... We-we know that patients have better health outcomes when they have art encounters.

00:08:50: so there's artists that do bed kind of activities.

00:08:56: For me as an artist I have worked with thousands of people in museums and other institutions, health care providers.

00:09:03: And done extensive research around the connection between art and well-being.

00:09:09: One thing that i've found is they all use creativity different ways than their practices.

00:09:22: really interesting, and we're just at the beginning of all this wonderful research.

00:09:25: We know a lot more about what happens with music than we do with visual arts for example.

00:09:31: So art could also be helpful in battling depression?

00:09:34: For example

00:09:37: Absolutely there's a prescription program Rx that some prescribers are sending folks to museums to load art.

00:09:45: And we also institutions, art museums and institutions are really interested in how they can serve their communities in different ways than they have in the past.

00:09:54: So more integrated, more collaborative inviting the public to participate in certain kinds of activities within institution helps build connection and serves the community better.

00:10:07: We live a world that is very polarized at the moment.

00:10:12: The U.S is very polarized, Europe it's very polarized politically.

00:10:17: we have the tribal thinking going on.

00:10:19: what do you think... What role can artists play in this context to maybe bring people together again?

00:10:28: So I think artists can do all kinds of things.

00:10:30: i was just at the Venice Biennale.

00:10:31: You see contemporary artist are doing different ways and for myself pressing contemporary issues and the mental health crisis, isolation division are things I focus on in my own practice.

00:10:51: provide experiences for people to feel connected, To see one another in that way where I See you.

00:10:57: You see me so but i do That through visual means.

00:11:00: So i have something called the well-being wall Where thousands of People and different institutions Have participated?

00:11:06: Where they're invited to write a response to what does Well being mean to you And then They take these squares and place them on The Wall In the institution.

00:11:14: and What is powerful about that Is people read or look at the drawings and writings after someone else's place in there.

00:11:24: There is both a form of connection, kind of feedback loop – I see you!

00:11:29: You see me!

00:11:32: That human engagement is really powerful.

00:11:39: different groups and I might be talking to someone doing an interview, also painting at the same time.

00:11:45: And i've done it with people suffering from memory loss in dementia where you can't ask them their name but you can have a conversation and asked them choose color as they talk.

00:11:56: im writing exactly what they are saying .

00:11:59: They see that feedback loop ,they see this intrinsic feeling of being seen.

00:12:08: And there's ways of doing that, and I'm always thinking about how we can do it to make more meaningful for people.

00:12:17: For example, I am working on a commission from the US-based company with twenty thousand employees internationally taking responses from their employees to incorporate into the piece.

00:12:30: so another way is bringing multiple voices in connecting then making this work us individually and as a community in certain ways.

00:12:41: Is there anything else that you can think maybe of examples where you can implement art into society to make it more, yeah... To create better society?

00:12:52: And have greater impact.

00:12:54: is there something else we could think about?

00:12:58: Well I do think Art is the conduit for connection right an intern that creates well-being.

00:13:03: so i think theres all kinds.

00:13:08: Public art is a really good example because public art is everywhere on the street that you didn't.

00:13:14: There's no barrier or entry.

00:13:15: You don't have to pay, you don't Have to decide oh I'm gonna go to a museum It's just there it's on the streets in The park its In your neighborhood Its...you're On the tram and see as you drive by.

00:13:26: And i think That um..I Don't ever underestimate the power of beauty and thinking about when you see a sunset, for example.

00:13:36: You feel something right in that is kind of.

00:13:39: or if it's raining hard are you going to the forest?

00:13:42: And have that fragrance and that green.

00:13:46: well art can do those kinds things and offer those kinds of moments of awe.

00:13:51: And we know from awe, when we have feel on wonder our brains are slightly more happy in there or more happy because were less focused on ourselves and more focus on something else.

00:14:05: Those kind science thing can really inform what an artist does to participate in a civic society be culture bearer.

00:14:16: So art can have a huge impact on your emotions, make you feel good.

00:14:21: Make you happier as a person if you see art in public places?

00:14:27: I think so!

00:14:28: I really do think that more and more institutions are museums In order to be more nimble and representative of our culture.

00:14:39: they want be that source of community engagement and offer different kinds of experiences for individuals like teenagers or young children, people living with memory loss.

00:14:52: So in a way serving as a community center not only the artway but so many ways.

00:15:00: So also getting connected to art and that is helpful if you have art in public places.

00:15:07: Also, this context... And maybe we can talk about the challenges of promoting arts in public environments like airports or museums?

00:15:17: What's your experience there?

00:15:19: because it has such a vast experience as well.

00:15:24: so perhaps I could talk more about that.

00:15:29: For me, I always think okay i'm going to do a project at a place.

00:15:34: Well I want the work to be deeply rooted and meaningful in that place so to discover ways around connecting with the community doing research so that it's meaningful and place-based for people right?

00:15:48: That are there!

00:15:49: The other thing that I think of a lot is if I'm gonna do an installation somewhere things that you can't predict.

00:15:56: You plan and prepare, talk it over with the team but there's always something like a spigot for fire system or security line where you're going to suspend this thing.

00:16:13: so those kinds of things one has to be nimble because obviously those infrastructures within institutions are really important, right?

00:16:22: You can't cross those.

00:16:23: The other thing I think about too when you invite the public to participate in an activity.

00:16:31: anything could happen and that's wonderful.

00:16:36: you just don't know.

00:16:37: So, you can predict ish what's going to happen.

00:16:40: but sometimes You have things for example that are poignant and sad.

00:16:47: I had this one well-being wall And i was going through the walls because they're quite.

00:16:51: They go deep in.

00:16:52: there's thousands of entries so In order to see them all they need to be moved around.

00:17:03: You didn't and you not only didn't, you shared that.

00:17:06: So you had this kind of cathartic experience in the.

00:17:08: I can bear witness to that And so can each other.

00:17:11: and there's a lot That i think is powerful In that kind Of connection and it doesn't have To be that deep where It's Painful so much.

00:17:22: but i'm also i think of This visual optimism A lot in terms of The way i make my artwork.

00:17:33: important it is that we recognize moments of ease and so to try to visually represent this optimistic idea.

00:17:40: And I do that a lot with

00:17:40: color.".

00:17:43: Yeah, that's very fascinating!

00:17:45: Anne... To also conclude the part because i always have certain questions that ask my guests ...and would love you all for this question.

00:17:53: if you were to pick super power now?

00:17:55: You can pick any superpower your want.

00:17:59: which one will you pick?

00:18:03: Well My personal superpower already is my ADHD.

00:18:07: That's how I can work so hard, and the super power would pick...I'd like to not have to sleep!

00:18:14: If i could work twenty four hours a day and be fully functional and capable but not tired that will be awesome.

00:18:21: you know some people need to rest for their mental health.

00:18:24: then I really need to work from it.

00:18:28: more work less sleep.

00:18:31: And then if you would buy your next autobiography, which one would you buy and why?

00:18:39: Well I was thinking about Mark Bradford who's an artist.

00:18:43: He has a ginormous monumental piece in the Obama Center in Chicago that just opened up.

00:18:59: He's just a really powerful artist and interesting.

00:19:07: And the things I know, The snippets that have his life are fascinating!

00:19:11: I'd like to learn more...I love to read so i do a lot of reading in my ear Like a podcast.

00:19:18: So I regularly read biographies.

00:19:23: Do you also read novels or anything else?

00:19:31: historical fiction, I like women authors so from sort of eighteen hundreds to nineteen hundred's older ones and then i love all their biographies.

00:19:43: And then currently reading Anthony Trollop don't ask me why.

00:19:48: um though the barchester chronicles which is a pretty hefty volume novels

00:19:55: And

00:19:56: I love they're talking interpersonal.

00:19:58: So, I loved that there.

00:19:59: it's all about people and connecting in life.

00:20:01: Mm-hmm, and do you have a motto?

00:20:05: Emission statement a credo you live by?

00:20:09: I Do embrace failure.

00:20:11: so is not very popular idea these days.

00:20:15: and i do believe That what we Through failure and through risks, we find discovery.

00:20:21: Think about vaccines for example.

00:20:23: of course We know that they didn't go into the laboratory And discover like the COVID vaccine.

00:20:28: Like that I mean it took a lot Of failure.

00:20:31: so For me as an artist i really Embrace failure.

00:20:35: No, I'm not talking about having a museum exhibition and mounting something that falls over or something of that nature.

00:20:41: Or isn't successful?

00:20:43: Talking about in the studio what happens... And for example i have this series called Lightwindows!

00:20:52: something like translucent, but not quite.

00:20:55: You can sort of see through it and I discovered that if you paint on both sides And light comes through it It transforms the surface of the front.

00:21:03: so it took me two years of failing to discover a way That i could successfully articulate this idea.

00:21:12: And it was really worth that because they're magical, and there's sort of light coming through darkness.

00:21:16: That whole idea a visual optimism... ...and I was able to make them six foot by six foot so quite large.. ..and they emanate light!

00:21:25: They are really

00:21:26: magical!!

00:21:27: If i had thought this first one is a disaster.... I'm not going to do anymore, or the tenth one that was a disaster than it.

00:21:35: i would have missed out on that magical kind of component.

00:21:38: and as an artist everything I do leads... One thing leads from another thing to next thing to the next thing And im always thinking well what if?

00:21:45: If don't ask what if and fail Im trying now to work on fiberglass to do outdoor things.

00:21:51: They are ugly right now.

00:21:53: Well thats doesn't mean they're gonna be ugly but im keep going.

00:21:56: The other thing which ties in there is show up.

00:22:01: my motto is you show up because sometimes that's all you can do.

00:22:04: You have someone who, maybe there are family member or loved one whose really having a hard time but she can't do something for them and I think also as an artist they're sort of misnomer.

00:22:16: we only come to the studio when we feel inspired.

00:22:21: well thats absolutely for the birds.

00:22:28: That's a really big ugly mess because it's absurd.

00:22:32: I mean not if you're professional, You go to work.

00:22:35: so for me i show up every day no matter what i feel like Because something could happen If i show Up but nothing is gonna Happen if i don't show up.

00:22:42: So i come and i work.

00:22:44: that's What i do?

00:22:45: It's so i'm Not ever waiting For some light bulb To Go Off.

00:22:47: i mean the light bulbs go off because they do or don't, but you've got to show up.

00:22:52: So I'm working all the time every day – twelve hours a day whether i feel like it or not and that feeds itself right?

00:22:59: That process of showing up makes something happen even if nothing is going to come out of it…I actually think so too!

00:23:08: But in general we just have to show-up for anything to happen.

00:23:14: Showing up an embracing failure...I love that.

00:23:17: And Lebelwitz thankyou very much for this conversation, I really enjoyed that.

00:23:22: And i'm looking forward to a future conversations with you.

00:23:25: Thank You!

00:23:26: I am so grateful to be here and appreciate your asking me.

00:23:28: Thanks So Much.