International Conference 'Psychosis in Modern Society: an Interdisciplinary Approach'

On Friday, September 24, 11 am - 6 pm, the international conference Psychosis in Modern Society: an Interdisciplinary Approachwill be held at the National Gallery of Art. It will include a screening of the film Love Is a Treasure by the Finnish artist Eija-Liisa Ahtila as well as presentations by five professionals working in the mental health sector or on mental health issues in other areas: storyteller, filmmaker and transformational guide Susan Florries (SW), neurobiologist Inga Griškova-Bulanova, PhD (LT), art critic and curator Mathias Kryger (DK), social worker, dance and movement therapist Tanja Pihlaja (FIN) and psychologist-psychotherapist Ieva Povilaitienė, PhD (LT).

The conference is aimed at a wide audience - mental health professionals and students, art lovers, people with mental health problems and their relatives and others. The speakers will give 30 minute presentations each, followed by a joint discussion (moderated by curator and art critic Eglė Mikalajūnė).

It is the ambition of the conference organisers that the involvement of experts from different fields will stimulate a broad discussion on this sensitive issue. Why is psychosis still one of the most stigmatising, but at the same time one of the most exoticised, mystified mental disorders? What does this attitude say about the modern society? Does the idea of a "mad genius" help understand the essence of psychosis or rather hinder it? Is contemporary art capable of helping shape new, different perspectives on psychosis? What does the latest neuroscience research reveal about the nature of psychosis? How does a neuroscientist collaborate with a therapist or an art therapist? What are the alternative treatments for psychosis in the Nordic countries (e.g.Open Dialoguein Finland) and what challenges do they face? How can people with psychosis contribute to the development of aid-building strategies?

The conference was prepared by curator, art critic Eglė Mikalajūnė and psychologist Juliana Lozovska, PhD.

To download the programme of the conference, please click here.

The conference will be held in English and Lithuanian, with simultaneous translation into both languages.

Admission is free of charge. A proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required.

To register, please click here.

The conference is part of theseries of events Empathy for the Other. Exploring Mental Health through Art. The series accompanies the exhibition "Potentiality for Love" by Eija-Liisa Ahtila (National Gallery of Art, 31.07-03.10.2021)-). To see the full programme of the series, please click here.

Organiser: National Gallery of Art of the Lithuanian National Museum of Art

Partners: Kaunas Artists' House, Šiauliai Art Gallery, Mental Health Arts Festival "Ryšiai" 

Project financed by Lithuanian Council for Culture

Sponsors: Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania, Frame Contemporary Art Finland, Embassy of Finland in Vilnius, Finnish Institute in Estonia, Pro AV Saarikko Oy, Exterus, Fundermax, Best Western

Media sponsors: lrytas.lt, Media Traffic