Commissions
COLLABORATORS:
Andrea Vocab Sanderson (San Antonio Poet Laureate & singer/songwriter)
Barbara Felix (Interdisciplinary Artist)
MODELS/MUSES:
Xelena Gonzalez
Jeremy “Odious” Williams
PROJECT INTRODUCTION:
Definition: Play - to engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.
As a city, state and nation, we have all been through restrictive and solitary times since the Covid Pandemic. Many of us have lost our ability to connect with others and with our sense of joy through play. We want to change this, and inspire people to allow themselves to tap into their inner child, and all the benefits that can come with the act of playing.
MURAL STATEMENT:
The mural explores the theme of "adult play" through the medium of dance and movement. Inspired by Felix’s “The Glorious Way She Moves” artworks and the song, “Are We There Yet” by Andrea Vocab Sanderson. The mission of the combined mural and song is to connect the viewer to their inner child, transport them to a mindset that allows them to make time to have fun, and all the benefits that can be reaped through playing.
About the Permission to Play Project
REASONS & BENEFITS OF ADULT PLAY:
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found almost 1 in 10 Americans reported suffering from depression in 2020, with rates of the mental health disorder higher among adolescents and young adults. Researchers from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and City University of New York analyzed 2015-20 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which is a nationally representative poll of Americans aged 12 and older.
Researchers found that in 2020 more than 9 percent of Americans 12 and older experienced a major depressive episode over the past year. The study’s authors note depression has increased over the past several years, rising from 6.6 percent in 2005 to 7.3 percent in 2015.
According to Healthguide.org
PLAY CAN:
* Relieve stress by releasing endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals.
* Challenge our brain, improve brain function, ward off stress and depression.
* Stimulate the mind and boost creativity, helping people adapt and solve problems.
* Improve relationships, foster empathy, compassion, trust, and intimacy; break the ice with strangers, make new friends, and form new business relationships.
* Boost our energy and vitality and even improve our resistance to disease.
DANCE AS A FORM OF PLAY:
Reduce stress and anxiety: When you dance, you are releasing endorphins and other positive hormones into your system. This can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels. Improve mood: Dancing can be a great way to boost your mood. It is a fun and social activity that can make you feel happier and more positive.