Anthroposophy and the Arts
From its inception, Anthroposophy has been inspirational for the arts. Architecture, sculpture, the visual arts, music and the literary arts all find in Anthroposophy a source of renewal. New arts such as eurythmy – an art of movement, sound and colour – and speech-formation, have been developed out of Anthroposophy.
”"We must emphasize again and again that the anthroposophical world-conception fosters a consciousness of the common source of art, religion and science. During ancient periods of evolution these three were not separated; they existed in unity. The Mysteries which fostered that unity were a kind of combination art institute, church and school. "
Dr. Rudolf Steiner
Eurythmy
Eurythmy is an art of movement, devised by Rudolf Steiner. The art aims to bring to visible expression the inner gestures inherent in sounds – both in speech in music. Steiner described Eurythmy as an ‘art of the soul’.
The Eurythmist uses movement and gestures which correspond to the rhythm and sounds of speech, to tonal experiences in music, and soul experiences (grief, joy etc). These fundamental gestures are used as a palette to be composed into free artistic expressions.
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Eurythmy as therapy
Eurythmy means “harmonious rhythm”. Therapeutic eurythmy can affect a profound change when the human organism tends in the direction of imbalance and illness.
After training for 4 years as an artist, the eurythmist can add a further specialisation in the medical realm which leads to an authorised diploma in curative eurythmy. Its field of application is manifold: in clinics, hospitals and sanatoria, in schools and in private practice.
Educationally, curative eurythmy can be of benefit to children with various developmental needs. Curative eurythmists work in association with a doctor, since an exact diagnosis is necessary for correct treatment.
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Literary Arts and Humanities
This Section of the Anthroposophical Society is concerned with the artistic development of the human being. The range of subjects explored in this Section is vast and responds to the various attractions we experience in the course of our lives in the world of drama, literature, history, philosophy, music, and language. The manner of studying and experiencing such themes depends on the individuals and groups. The approach to the Arts is both innovative and disciplined, bringing reflection and experience into conversations that renew and energise our daily lives.
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