Emotional Survival Kits

Andrew Swainson, Art Representative

The Emotional Survival Kit is a mixed-media art project I came up with in university. I give my senior students the task of creating an assemblage—a collection of found or made objects—to form a handheld, interactive sculpture. Drawing inspiration from "prepper culture" survival tins used for physical survival, this project focuses on emotional regulation and literacy.  

We discuss a couple of key assemblage artists before beginning; I often let my students go delving for interesting assemblages and share their findings before centering our discussions around the works of Brian Jungen and Louise Nevelson. Both are inspiring artists with differing approaches to assemblage, but each clearly asserts that identity can be created from discarded scraps and ephemera; individual parts gain meaning when combined.   

Supplies

• Found objects range from small toys, hand made miniature tools, collected ephemera, knick knacks, etc.  

• Altoid tins (I last purchased from here) 

• Primer and acrylic paint 

• Oven-bake polymer clay 

• Mod Podge 

• Student Hand-Out

Grade Level

I have not done this project with students younger than grade 11, so I have little experience to suggest how well it would go over with younger artists. That said, I would certainly try it with the middle grades, as the Health 6-9 curriculum pairs well with SEL principles.

Key Components

The project is entirely open-ended however key components of the project include:

• Core Objective: To visualize inner peace and identify items and actions that help one find calm or perseverance during times of emotional distress. 
  

• Physical Requirements: The finished sculpture must fit within a small container with a tightly closing lid (such as an Altoids tin) and must include at least three objects. 
  

• Design Focus: Participants are encouraged to focus on "brain healthy habits" rather than addictive ones, choosing miniaturized items that can be interacted with rather than just looked at. The exterior of the container is considered just as important as the interior. 
  

• Artistic Inspiration: Whimsy as a way to assert identity. 
  

• Reflection: Upon completion, creators must write a short explanation detailing why their chosen objects are beneficial and how they help ground the individual during a crisis. 

The ultimate goal is to create a portable "tool kit" of affirmative actions and symbols that allow a person to move on from tough times. My own example from many years ago can be found here.