Report Report on Music and Mind Inspiration Program: “Mark to the Music”

Immersed in Sound, Light, and Warmth: A Journey Toward New Creative Horizons

The Museum of the Mind in the Netherlands, bridging the boundaries between healthcare, art, and science, has partnered with atelier A in Japan—a supportive art class for children with Down syndrome and autism—and AIT to kickstart the “Collective Amazements Troupe (CAT)” program. This pioneering project brings together children with diverse characteristics and their guardians on a voyage of discovery, driven by mutual curiosity, co-creating spaces where artistry can flourish. Since its inception in 2022, CAT has been a nurturing ground, fostering meaningful connections among its participants. On December 16, 2023, they unveiled the “Mark to the Music” workshop, marrying music with meditation to spark creativity.
 
Developed as part of the “Music and Mind Inspiration Program” by CAT, this workshop aims to infuse a touch of magic—“inspiration”— into their everyday engagements, carving out new paths for artistic exploration.

As part of this initiative, CAT has been organizing “Inspiration Tours” for members of aAtelier A, who regularly convene at the Yoyogi-Uehara Community Education Center, accompanied by facilitators. These tours, which traverse art museums in and around Tokyo, aim to go beyond mere appreciation of art by evaluating the impact of these cultural experiences on the regular creative activities at aAtelier A. The subject matter often explored by aAtelier A members reflects the rich tapestry of their daily lives, encompassing activities with family, meals, favored YouTube videos and TV shows, and beloved characters. Following the ‘Inspiration Tours,’ a diverse range of creative outputs emerged at aAtelier A, from works deeply influenced by the tours to those that remained consistent with the members’ usual artistic endeavors, demonstrating the varied impact of the tours. Moreover, the collaboration between the Museum of the Mind and aAtelier A has facilitated valuable discussion sessions under the CAT initiative. These sessions aim to deepen the dialogue by sharing insights from the “Inspiration Tours,” fostering a stronger connection and exchange among all participants.
 
This event was further enhanced by the presence of Jolien Posthumus, a researcher from the Museum of the Mind in the Netherlands, whose visit made possible the realization of the “Mark to the Music” workshop, an inventive blend of music and meditation, with CAT members.

The Instructor’s Expertise: “Art and Mindfulness”

Let’s take a moment to introduce Jolien Posthumus, our workshop instructor. She holds the role of mindfulness trainer and mental health program manager at the Museum of the Mind. Posthumus, having navigated PTSD from early life experiences, found solace and a means of self-expression in singing and dancing on stage. “Art has truly been a healing force in my life,” Posthumus reflects. From her days as a student, she has enriched her understanding of art history, cultural history, Buddhism, meditation, and bodywork, actively integrating these insights into her life and work. In addition to her contributions to art and culture museums, she has also taught mindfulness at the Body College, where she offers guidance to individuals grappling with mental health issues.

Since around 2017, Europe has increasingly recognized mental health as a critical social issue. This recognition has led to a surge in demand for Posthumus’s unique blend of skills in “Art” and “Mindfulness,” particularly from cultural entities like museums. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also highlighted the symbiotic relationship between art and health. Their November 2019 report, “What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review,” underscores how art, in its many forms, contributes to well-being through both active and passive engagement. Posthumus’s journey of integrating “Art” with “Mental Health Care” addresses an increasing societal need.

The Museum of the Mind features two distinct locations in Amsterdam and Haarlem. The Haarlem site, housed in a building that once served as a mental hospital, is notable for its historical significance and the legacy of societal exclusion and confinement of patients with mental disorders and leprosy. Founded in 2002 by four Dutch psychiatric care organizations (GGZ Noord-Holland-Noord, GGZ inGeest, Arkin, and Parnassia Group), the Haarlem museum seeks to challenge and transform the stigmas associated with its past and revisit society’s understanding of mental illness.

These institutions not only offer financial backing to the museum but also enhance its collection with their historical archives. The museums are proactive in their educational missions, aiming to shed light on mental and physical health and challenge existing biases about mental illness. Through active outreach, they collaborate with healthcare workers, museum professionals, and educational bodies. They roll out initiatives such as ‘Learn more about mind,’ which delves into the intricacies of our mental and physical selves, and ‘Word Up,’ a dialogue-driven program designed to engage young adults in meaningful conversations about mental health. This holistic approach underscores their commitment to addressing the multifaceted nature of psychological and physical well-being.

The “Music and Mind” Workshop: Starting at Last!

The “Mark to the Music” program, blending music with meditation, first took place at the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) in 2017, one of the city’s premier music festivals. Under Posthumus’s guidance, participants immersed themselves in ambient music, encouraged to express themselves freely. 

Inspired by this, AIT, atelier A, and the Museum of the Mind jointly conceived the workshop. Featuring four renowned musicians—Hiroshi Takano, Koryo Saito, Tetsuro Yasunaga, and Yorimasa Fujimura—the workshop offered a live performance of ambient music, thereby enriching the artistic voyage for atelier A’s participants. The venue, the historically rich ‘Kamaboko Barracks’ nestled within the premises of a Catholic church in Setagaya, Tokyo—a post-war relic vacated by the U.S. military—provided a poignant backdrop.
The day of the event was caressed by sunlight, with the winter’s rays streaming through the unique kamaboko-shaped ceiling, bathing the space in a warm, inviting light. The floor was laid with paper for drawing and lounging, dotted with colorful pastel bead cushions, creating a welcoming atmosphere for all.

With the introductions behind us, the workshop officially commenced. With the onset of tranquil music, Posthumus extended a gentle invitation:“If you feel more at peace with your eyes closed, please do so. Let’s all tune into the sounds filling the room.”

Imbued with Sound and Light: Capturing the Essence Unique to This Moment and Space.

The children, initially mesmerized by the instruments, began to close their eyes, though some chose to keep theirs open. While some lay sprawled on the floor, others gently caressed the bead cushions, a few adopted postures of prayer, and some couldn’t resist yawning—each engaging with the music in their own unique way.

“Feel the music as it slowly changes, and firmly acknowledge your presence here, right now.”

“Listen with your ears, but also try to feel the music in your stomach or deep inside you.”

“What are you feeling as you listen to the music? It’s okay to move your body along with the music.”
“If you could choose a color for your feelings, which one would it be? Feel free to paint with the color you’re feeling.”

Posthumus, as the music continued, spoke to the participants in a soft, unhurried manner. As time passed, the music’s character gently transformed, blossoming into a more lively sound with a bell-like rhythm. Prompted by Posthumus’s encouragement to “draw what you feel,” the children sprang into action, grasping drawing materials and letting colors and lines flow freely across the floor.

Some drew in silence, focusing on continuous lines, while others depicted sequences of fine lines. There were also those who illustrated objects resembling yachts floating on the sea, as well as rainbows, skies, and fluffy, abstract images.

All participants on site inspire each other.

“When I listened to the music, I thought of light blue, like the peaceful waves in the morning.”

 
“The cello was so beautiful that I could not help but draw it as I listened to the music.”

As the workshop drew to a close, the music shifted to a more upbeat and lively rhythm. This change seemed to lift the spirits of some children who, feeling the vibe, took off their shoes to dance and paint on the large paper spread on the floor.

While some children moved with the music as if to react to its changes, others stayed deeply immersed in their artwork, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding sounds and activities.

Akaogi’s voice signaled, “Time to share,” bringing the creative process to a pause. Now, it was time for each child to present their day’s work to the group, following the usual practice at atelier A.

Each child took turns explaining their artwork to Posthumus, sharing the inspiration behind their drawings, the emotions they felt throughout the process, and how the musical shifts impacted their creations. Not all feelings could be captured in words, yet Posthumus attentively absorbed every detail. She connected with each piece of art empathetically and patiently, seeking to understand the deeper messages and emotions conveyed.

Though the time was limited, it was a profound communal experience, where the act of sharing artwork and simply being together made everything feel extraordinary. Opting for live, improvisational music over prerecorded tracks introduced an additional layer of spontaneity. The musicians—presumably working within a pre-determined rough structure—adapted their performance dynamically, attuned to the children’s responses and emotions, fostering an interactive space where each presence contributed to the creation of a magical environment.

Text：Keiko Kamijo　　Photo：Isamu Sakamoto