Ethics, Human Nature, & Standards of Practice in Arts in Health
Being that the topics of ethics, human nature, and standards of practice in arts in health are extensive, the approach taken to this creative blog assignment was very flexible or open-ended. As such, interpretation of the piece is also fluid. All of the collage images were derived from accumulated cut-outs that originated via junk mail and several former issues of National Geographic. Some of the images used were symbolic of assigned readings, such as the article on Henrietta Lacks (NPR Staff, 2013). This reading, which I recall being assigned during my first undergraduate semester at UF, largely drove my current interest toward the fields of health, humanities, and women's studies.
The collage depicts several strings of numbers or letters, representing both our complex, genetic makeup and the health data collected from humans for research, clinical assessment, or other professional pursuits. Because this information is sensitive, it is important that we compile and present this data through ethical, standardized means (ie. UF IRB). The Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice (NOAH, 2018) and Belmont Report (National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, 1979) further support this with efforts toward improving and regulating any practices occurring across the sectors of health, humanities, and/or the arts.
Supplies for this activity include scissors or X-Acto knife, glue or Mod Podge, mixed media paper or other clean surface, craft brushes for applying Mod Podge and sealing collage upon completion, magazine clippings from National Geographic and junk mail, a ruler or measuring device (optional), and painters tape (optional). To avoid bubbles and wrinkling of collage images, which happens sometimes when working with glue and/or Mod Podge, apply adhesive in small to moderate quantity to either image backside or mixed media surface ONLY. Immediately apply image and use craft brush to smooth out any visible bubbles or pooling of glue.
Be careful about handling any images during the adhesive process, as the magazine paper is more prone to falling apart or sticking onto tools (when saturated with glue) during its manipulation. Wait for images, objects, or other applied materials to dry before adding to the collage. After the piece has completely dried, you are welcome to use pens, markers, and/or paints to enhance expressive creation (ie. writing a poem on the collage, doodling polka dots around the edges, etc.). After these materials have also dried completely, the collage may be finalized by sealing of its entire surface with a small to moderate coat of Mod Podge and a clean/unused and dry craft brush.
*Helpful Tip: affordable National Geographic issues are abundant at the Repurpose Project in Gainesville, Florida!
References
National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research. (1979, April). THE BELMONT REPORT. Federal Register. https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/sites/default/files/the-belmont-report-508c_FINAL.pdf.
NOAH. (2018, October). Code of ethics and standards of practice (Version 1). National Organization for Arts in Health. https://thenoah.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/NOAH-Code-of-Ethics-and-Standards-for-Arts-in-Health-Professionals.pdf.
NPR Staff. (2013, February 18). “Immortal” cells of Henrietta Lacks live on in labs. National Public Radio (NPR). https://choice.npr.org/index.html?origin=https://www.npr.org/2013/02/18/171937818/immortal-cells-of-henrietta-lacks-live-on-in-labs.
Credits:
(Ray Mendoza, 2021)