Art and Bibliotherapy Service Online: Kora Dandan Albano's Aral-Aralan

Towards the end of September, a colleague dropped the idea of using a painting for an appreciation post in the school's internal social media platform. Picking up the idea from him, I put together three posts to follow through with recommended readings for reflection and de-stressing. The painting, Aral-aralan by Kora Dandan Albano became the centerpiece of the art and bibliotherapy service.

Aral-aral by Kora Dandan Albano

Here is the three-part post which featured content online. There is poetry, a virtual tour of a garden, articles about play and the value of carving space for one's self in this time of the pandemic.

Part 1 - September 28 

From appreciation to reflection. Breathe.

From reflection to meditation. Breathe.

From meditation to contemplation. Breathe.

What catches your attention when looking at Kora Dandan Albano's Aral-Aralan, a painting inspired by Fernando Amorsolo? There are four elements at work here. An open field. A mango tree. Children learning through play. And, the act of teaching. What feelings stir in you as you engage and read the art work? For a moment, be aware of that feeling. Recognize it. Stay there and be.

Breathe.

It is going to be a tough week. Hang on. We have companions in the journey.

Part 2 - September 30

The open field and the mango tree in Kora Dandan Albano's Aral-Aralan are images that invite the reader of the art work to remember days when it was very accessible to walk (or run) on roads and paths in the neighborhood or to sit under the shade of tall trees, with a sheltering canopy. Time spent with nature can be rejuvenating. Hermann Hesse has something to tell us about this, especially on the wisdom that we can learn from trees.

"Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth. They do not preach learning and precepts, they preach, undeterred by particulars, the ancient law of life."

Watch and listen to the entire essay as read aloud by Natascha McElhone, A Passage About Tress.

Part 3 - October 2

Children at play is a constant theme in Kora Dandan Albano's works. This is the center piece in her recent art Aral-aralan. As Teacher's Month draws to a close (September 5 - October 5), we are sharing some poetry for appreciation of the work that teachers and school personnel do for students. Also, these articles on the value of play and art integration in teaching and learning with high school students bring to mind the importance of learning as an expressive art that can be developed as lifestyle and culture.

Have a fruitful Friday. Quarter break is just around the corner. Rest easy, Griffins!