Acting in daily “states of exception”. Forms of life and biopolitics in an ethnography in the field of mental health

Abstract

This article explores the intersection of psychiatric care and creative expression through a detailed ethnographic study of a rehabilitation project. The study focuses on the experiences of patients involved in an artistic workshop aimed at preparing an art exhibition. Key themes include the bureaucratic challenges faced by experimental rehabilitation projects, the delicate balance between patient privacy and artistic authorship, and the therapeutic potential of creative activities. The narrative follows specific patients highlighting their artistic processes and the social dynamics within the workshop. The article underscores the complex interplay between psychiatric classifications, patient autonomy, and the emancipatory power of art in mental health settings.