A Zug project combines art and dementia

How can art be combined with dementia? This is shown by a new project by the Kunsthaus Zug (Zug Art Gallery) and the Zug Alzheimer Counselling Centre. The two institutions started “Aufgeweckte Kunstgeschichte (Awakened Art Stories)” in October. The project aims to encourage people with dementia to creatively make up stories based on works of art. On three mornings, those affected and their caregivers visit the Kunsthaus Zug and gather around a current picture from the exhibition "Painting of the Aborigines", or a picture from the Kunsthaus collection.

The aim of the project is to enable people to visit the Kunsthaus, even when suffering from dementia, explains Daniela Bigler Billeter, head of the Zug Alzheimer Counselling Centre. "It is important that people with dementia can continue to participate in normal life within a protected environment." At the Kunsthaus, the dementia sufferers were asked to describe what they see in the picture and what memories this awakens in them. "A lively conversation quickly developed, in which everyone could get involved," says Sandra Winiger, Head of Art Education at the Kunsthaus. She confirmed and summarised what had been said, while a colleague recorded what was said, and put the words together as a story, which was then read out at the end.

Each participant could then take home a card that showed the artwork and the story. The events took place in a small group of around ten people each, with the Kunsthaus being opened specially for them. "A touching and exciting story was created for every work of art," says Winiger.

    "We discovered things in the pictures that we had never noticed before."

Due to the successful experiment in autumn, Bigler and Winiger have decided to continue the “Awakened Art History” project in the coming year. Dementia sufferers can playfully dive into the Kunsthaus Zug in 2020 on six dates, after which there will be a joint lunch at the end. The idea of ​​“Awakened Art History” goes back to a research project by the University of Zurich.

The Kunsthaus Zug was awarded the “Culture inclusive” label by Pro Infirmis in 2018

It all started in Zurich

For the first time ever, a research project by the University of Zurich sent people with dementia into a museum on a journey of discovery. In the three-year “Awakened Art Stories” project, which was launched in 2012, employees of the Centre for Gerontology investigated 49 events in art houses and museums.
The results provide information on the effectiveness of the events: the project thereby contributes to the integration of the participants, strengthens them and their families, and stimulates the public to revise their negative picture of the disease through real experience, according to the website of the University of Zurich , Similar offers have already been made in Aargau, Thurgau and Basel.

Sandra Winiger has accompanied the project right from the start, and thought about doing something similar in the Canton of Zug. She was greatly encouraged when the Kunsthaus Zug received the “Culture Inclusive” label from Pro Infirmis last year. The label recognises cultural institutions that have committed to creating cultural offers for people with disabilities. “We are the first art institution in Central Switzerland to receive this label. As such, it’s important to us to also provide low-threshold access to art for people with cognitive difficulties or dementia,” explains Winiger. She therefore exchanged ideas with the project managers in Zurich, and contacted Alzheimer Zug.

The project has brought many people into contact with art for the first time, adds Daniela Bigler. “They suffer from the illness of forgetting, but, when in the Kunsthaus, they have noticed that they can still formulate many thoughts and memories. This also strengthens the self-confidence of those affected.”

Having been convinced by the concept, the managing director of Alzheimer Zug is currently in contact with the other Alzheimer's associations in Central Switzerland. The aim is to enable dementia sufferers from all over Central Switzerland to take part in the “Awakened Art Stories” project in Zug.

Dates in 2020: 17th / 24th March, June 30th, July 7th, 20th / 27th October, 10.30 a.m., Kunsthaus Zug. Please reserve with Alzheimer Zug via 041 760 05 60 or using info.zug@alz.ch, www.alz.ch/zg.