Hot glue and paper for an adult with hoarding disorder, compulsive spectrum
· Heat
· Smell of warming glue
· Ripping tearing of paper
· Squeezing trigger
· Doing and undoing
· Warmth on fingers through the paper
· Patience, timing
· Unknown results, unusual shapes
· Strings of glue
· Layering
· Waste paper
I experimented with hot glue. I drew with the glue on the cardboard and then put colored paper over the glue. I waited for it to cool and then tore off the paper. This revealed the glue drawing in some places and obscured the drawing in other instances. The process included the smells of warm glue, the feeling of squeezing the hot glue trigger, the sound and feeling of ripping paper, the warmth of the hot glue on fingers that press down on the paper, as well as the unique sensation of pulling the strings of hot glue. Executive skills are activated by planning, patience to let the glue cool before ripping off the paper, understanding the best way to tear the paper. The results are unexpected, and not easily controlled, the shapes made are unusual. There is room for layering. The process itself has a sense of doing and undoing as the work slowly evolves. This may be a good way to loosen cognitive people up, as it would be nearly impossible to make something come out to plan. This as the first step in a process may be effective to lay down large swaths of color, and release energy. This process also may be helpful to get past blank-page anxiety. The materials are not precious, and the process is so hard to control that perfectionists will be thwarted. This does take some dexterity of fingers, and fingernails. I imagine that those who like to pick at stickers would find this process very satisfying.
I found the experiment to be rooted in the kinesthetic and sensory level, through rhythm, sound, release, smell, and warmth. However, as the glue is laid down like a drawing, the perceptual level is included, and after the paper is torn, the perceptual level, as well as the cognitive or symbolic level, can be activated as the artist tries to make sense of what shape was made, and why. I posit this back and forth process between the kinesthetic-sensory level and upper levels helps artists integrate the levels, by practicing switching rapidly between them.
For adults with obsessive-compulsive hoarding, the task of drawing with glue, then covering their drawing with paper may represent the act of avoidance or protection. The tearing of the paper may be cathartic, a release of energy, it may feel like small bursts of not being in control. This action may build up a tolerance for this feeling. Revealing the structure underneath by peeling off the paper layer may become a metaphor for becoming seen. The uncontrollable aspect of the exercise may become a metaphor for the uncertainty of life.