Form creation in art: An ego-psychological approach to creativity

Journal/Book: Psychoanalytic Quarterly. 1979; 48: 229-256.

Abstract: Applies the ego-psychological approach to form in art to explore the relation of form creation to artistic creativity in general. Two kinds of form in art are discussed--good form and perfect form. The 1st form is explained as the means used by the artist's ego to facilitate the expression and communication of latent meanings, and the 2nd form is explained as the means used by the artist's ego to order disparate mental elements and to reconcile those opposite wishes, ideas, and emotions, whose opposite valences may endanger the integrity and cohesion of the self. Two examples from music are described to illustrate how perfect form reconciles opposites. Creativity and neurosis are described as 2 different methods used by the ego to solve the same underlying problems. ABSTRACT 2: The recent ego-psychological approach to form in art is utilized to understand the significance of form creation to artistic creativity in general. Two kinds of form in art are discussed--"good form" and "perfect form". The first is explained as the means used by the artist's ego to facilitate the expression and communication of latent meanings; the second, as the means used by the artist's ego to order disparate mental elements and to reconcile those opposite wishes, ideas, and emotions, whose opposite valences may endanger the integrity and cohesion of the self. In line with the assumptions presented in the paper, creativity and neurosis are described as two different methods used by the ego to solve the same underlying problems.

Note: ego psychological perspective on creativity & creation of good vs perfect art form

Keyword(s): Art ; psychoanalytic interpretation; ego ; creativity

Zurück | Weiter