How Can I Help? – An Artful Dialogue

How Can I Help? - An Artful Dialogue
by Saul Robbins

chashama 266
266 West 37th Street
(between 7th & 8th Avenue)
New York, NY

October 10 – 23, 2012

Opening Reception:
Thursday, October 11, 6 – 8 pm

Gallery Hours:
11 am – 6 daily, and by appointment

Additional Reception:
Fashion District BID Arts Weekend: Thursday, October 18, 6 - 8 pm

How Can I Help? - An Artful Dialogue presents a psychotherapy office environment in a chashama storefront exhibition space, located at 266 West 37th Street (at 8th Avenue) in New York City. This unique installation presents a group of artists who will hold “office hours” for a period of two weeks, offering sincere responses to visitors with creative interpretations of psychotherapeutic consultation. Visitors and passersby are encouraged to drop-in or schedule one free, 15-minute “initial intake” session, during which time they may discuss in complete confidence, any topic they wish. This group of artists has been chosen for their experience and sensitivity helping others as counselors, educators, and consultants, and for their interest in doing so as a creative artistic experience, free of charge to visitors. The project is curated by Saul Robbins, a photographer whose popular series, Initial Intake, will be on display, providing a sense of context, intimacy, and legitimacy to visitors and passersby. Initial Intake examines the empty chairs of Manhattan-based psychotherapy professionals from their client’s perspective and has been featured in The New York Times, Baltimore City, Feature Shoot, FlavorWire, Glo.com, More Magazine, The Portland Tribune, among others, and exhibited across the United States.

Says Robbins, “We consider psychotherapy as an art form, and are particularly interested in how participants ‘on both sides of the couch’ will respond to the opportunity of speaking with a complete stranger, to be listened and responded to for free, in this uniquely non-traditional setting.” Robbins continues, “While How Can I Help? - An Artful Dialogue is motivated by serious intentions it is not intended to replace working with a professionally trained and licensed psychotherapist. Visitors entering this installation to talk with us will be required to sign a consent form acknowledging their understanding of this important detail.”

For additional information and to schedule an appointment, contact Saul Robbins (Curator and Artist): saul@saulrobbins.com / 212.666.7334, or visit www.saulrobbins.com/help.html