V.[u]nf_2 explores the consequences of violence in everyday life, specifically in orphaned children. The final installation consists of up to 50 3D sound sculptures made from creative interaction with the children involved in the project.
The creative interaction takes place in a therapeutic environment under the professional practice of the psychologist Verónica Castillo Arnal, specialized in infants with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico.
After several interviews with the specialists, it was evident that we needed to provide spaces for safe play and enjoyment to children, so we came to the conclusion of design activities related to art therapy to enable a constant and deep channel of communication through art.
In that process, I learned about the methodology that the psychologist Verónica Castillo Arnal was already implementing in Ciudad Juarez -it can be said in very adverse economic and security circumstances- and I decided that it was more meaningful to integrate my artistic project with the therapeutic process that was already performing with infants with post-traumatic stress due to violence.
From conversations and a visit to his consultation-art therapy workshop I was able to specify the contents of V.[u]nf_2.
The methodology that the psychologist Verónica Castillo works with infants is the art therapy. In the Art Therapy and Resilience Workshop for kids with post-traumatic stress and / or traumatic grief "it addresses the psychological needs of children who have been impacted by violent events in which they have lost a loved one or because they have been impacted by adverse situations (accidents, illnesses, violence) and have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). "
In the art therapy sessions, she works with graphic elements -drawings- made by the children that serve as a bridge or dialogue at critical moments in therapy. It was agreed that the collaboration consisted in that these drawings were translated into 3D objects and could be reintegrated into therapy.
Then, the 3D sculptures that make up V.[u]nf_2, will have their replication in the therapeutic environment of the infants.
Another fundamental point in the work of research and technological experimentation was the achievement of incorporating an audio device in all 3D sculptures. This device designed expressly and printed in 3D not only contains digital audio technology but gives autonomy to the piece to contain a battery and fits inside the sculptures. The design and production of this technology was a challenge that exceeded satisfactorily.
The additive / 3D sound sculptures that have been produced so far respond to the therapy of a small group of Ciudad Juarez infants who attend the Crayon Workshop of Art Therapy and Resilience for children with post-traumatic stress and / or traumatic grief.
We believe that it is a project that can be replicated in other therapeutic spaces in the rest of the Mexican Republic.