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The Healing Arts – Forging Alliances of Arts & Medicine

International Society for Arts and Medicine (ISfAM)
18.-20.06.2026
Berlin

Meeting Abstract

The Sound of Us – A creative space to listen, feel, connect, create

Thuli Wolf - Thuli Wolf Art Therapy & Coaching

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Background: Artivism—where art meets activism—has become a powerful tool for resistance, healing, and community building. In today’s world, dominated by constant noise and limited opportunities for reflection, creating immersive spaces for deep listening and creative response is increasingly valuable. The Sound of Us addresses this need by amplifying the voices of global artivists and inviting participants to engage with their narratives in a shared, creative environment.

Objectives: The installation aims to:

  • Present the voices and stories of artivists from diverse contexts.
  • Provide a contemplative space for emotional reflection and expression.
  • Encourage collective creation as a form of community and dialogue.
  • Explore how sound-based storytelling influences visual and emotional responses.

Methods: Participants enter an immersive sound environment, listening to recordings of artivists describing their work, struggles, and motivations. Seated on cushions, with optional eyemasks for enhanced focus, visitors are invited to translate their emotional responses onto a large communal canvas using provided painting materials. The installation is open, allowing flexible entry and exit, and encourages both individual reflection and collaborative creation.

Results: The communal canvas evolves continuously, documenting the diverse emotional and creative responses of participants. Engagement fosters empathy, deeper understanding of the narratives, and a sense of community formed through shared expression.

Conclusion: The Sound of Us demonstrates the transformative potential of combining immersive listening with collective artistic expression. By centering artivist voices and inviting nonverbal responses, the project highlights art’s power to connect, heal, and create meaningful social dialogue.