ESCAPE CLINIC AND BREATHING PICTURES
First private clinic with breathing pictures in Switzerland
For more than 20 years, the Swiss Escape Clinic in Schöftland has been successfully treating opiate dependency in patients who have sometimes traveled from far abroad for a scheduled withdrawal. The private clinic has now decided to exhibit and utilize a specific kind of artwork, designedly placed in the guests‘ lounge: a breathing picture by the Swiss artist Stan Adard. Breathing pictures are a new, digital art form. At first glance, they look like conventional abstract paintings. The more consciously and quietly one contemplates them, however, the more a gentle movement reveals itself—a movement which mimics the rhythmic breathing of the viewer.
Escape Clinic, Switzerland, relax room, breathing picture ‚Fire Place Mystery‘
What are ‚breathing pictures‘?
Breathing pictures are abstract, digital paintings to which the dimension of time has been added. This addition allows amorphous shapes to move, which Adard then uses for the gentle implementation of various respiratory rhythms.
The primary allure of this work lies in how a digital painting is inserted into a context where the viewer, passing by, initially perceives only an ordinary, static image. It takes a moment of rest to recognize the movements in the object of observation. After a short while, the viewer can adjust his or her own breath to the breathing pattern of the picture. Doing this, the breath becomes calmer and the digital painting can be experienced in its many facets. These works offer an intense visual experience, transcending the possibilities present in more conventional images.
About the artist
Stan Adard lives with his wife in Solothurn Kienberg. He studied social pedagogy and social psychology in Zurich. In the early 1980s, he took advantage of the burgeoning market for home computers to build a software company, which he sold in 2014. During these years, in the context of the demanding IT industry, he learned the importance of conscious breathing for a positive, well-balanced life.
In addition to his studies in Far Eastern meditation, Adard started to work with software that generates three-dimensional environments. Knowledge of the breath, and the ability to create three-dimensional, animated objects, have combined in the creation of breathing pictures. These breathing pictures have already been attracting international attention, most notably in the U.S.
Breathing pictures for relaxation
For Adard, conscious breathing, increased awareness, and art are intimately linked. The artist is delighted by the request of Escape Clinic to install a breathing picture in the meeting room. “As much as any private living room, a hospital provides an excellent environment for receiving the full impact of these digital mentors,“ he says. „I’m looking forward to seeing how people in troubled circumstances will react to the pictures.“
Fabian Stucki, Operative Director of the clinic against opiate dependence, is also attracted by the concept and the design of the works: „These images fit perfectly in our hospital. They bring a unique atmosphere of tranquility into our meeting room. “
Escape Clinic
The Escape Clinic, founded in 1996, specializes in a fast, gentle, and discreet egress from opiate addiction. In addition to providing an individually-structured withdrawal program that includes follow-up care, the clinic attaches great importance to maintaining a pleasant environment for its local and international guests.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH
For many of us, relaxation means zoning out in front of the TV at the end of a stressful day. But this does little to reduce the damaging effects of stress. To effectively combat stress, we need to activate the body’s natural relaxation response. The “Relaxation Response” was discovered and coined by AIS Founding Trustee and Fellow, Dr. Herbert Benson. The relaxation response is a physical state of deep rest that changes the physical and emotional responses to stress (e.g., decreases in heart rate, blood pressure, rate of breathing, and muscle tension).
BREATHING ENVIRONMENTS
astradream realize screen concepts and environments based on the breathing pictures™ of Swiss Artist Stan Adard and supports these breathing projects in all aspects.
Breathing pictures
Place an image in the entrance area of your company or in a place where there are as many employees as possible. The sheer presence of the image will cause your employees to pause for a moment to see the respiratory movement.
With appropriate instructions your employees understand that it is important to adjust your own breath for a brief moment to the picture. And this makes them aware of their breathing.
Breathing Walls
If you have more space available, or your design concept allows it, a complete wall with a breathing picture is just the right thing. We support you in setting up and realizing the project.
WHY IS CONSCIOUS BREATHING SO IMPORTANT?
Conscious breathing has a direct impact on emotional control. In Psychology Today (2013/04), Dr. Emma Seppälä notes that breathing is a powerful tool for calming the mind.
“We have an intuitive understanding that the breath can regulate our mind and emotions. Most of us have either told others or been told ourselves to ‘take a deep breath’ when things got challenging. One of the reasons why breathing can change how we feel is that emotions and breathing are closely connected.”
A research study by Pierre Phillipot revealed that different emotional states are characterized by distinct respiration patterns.
However, because breathing happens automatically, many of us don’t give it as much attention as it deserves, nor have we learned to harness its full potential in calming our minds.
A breathing picture acts as a mentor that reminds you to breathe consciously in a calming pattern.
WHAT IS A BREATHING PICTURE?
Stan Adard works with high end 3D modeling and rendering software to create his artwork. Each breathing picture consists of a series of individual frames that are brought together as an animation.
Depending on the artwork, a single breathing picture is based on several hundred to several thousand single frames. The flow is ensured by a specially developed videoloop device.
A breathing picture consists of
- the artwork (3D construction/animation), limited edition of 3
- the display (high end display or high end LED wall with carefully mastered luminosity, brightness, contrast and more)
- the videolooper device (to display the breathing picture endlessly)
- the artful frame (depending on the display and environment)
- the light sensor (option)
- certificate of authenticity (proofofexistence.com/Blockchain)
WHY SHOULD YOU INVEST IN YOUR EMPLOYEES‘ WELLBEING?
- Breathing pictures are first of all wonderful artworks
- Conscious breathing is independent of culture, religion, gender and social status
- Breathing pictures produce a relaxed and inspiring environment
- Breathing pictures support natural human breath patterns
- Breathing pictures reduce stress and fear and increase the feeling of wellbeing and the individual performance
- Breathing pictures and breathing environments are easy to install
EXPLAINED IN 102 SECONDS: BREATH AND MEDITATION
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche (born 1975) is a Nepalese teacher and master of the Karma Kagyu and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. He has authored two best-selling books and oversees the Tergar Meditation Community, a global network of Buddhist meditation centers. (Wikipedia)