A Room With A View’ and Stimulants

Many of us value a room with a view because it will create a certain sense of happiness for us to be looking out from a window of a room. It is therapeutic resulting in a healing process for both body and soul. This is because in general, we like natural things as in a view of nature. In the absence of such a view, we will view a view and different perspectives that we can get from arts such as paintings. Arts have proven to promote mental health and has almost the same effect of looking out a window to a view of nature.

Learning and knowledge centres are places and spaces that should be built surrounding such views. In the absence of nature, it should be supplemented with beautiful and thought-provoking arts especially paintings. This is one great opportunity for libraries and other knowledge centres in Malaysia. Together with the local arts community, the library spaces can be a gallery. It is a win-win situation as the library will get more ‘rooms with a view’ and the artists will have a gallery for their products.

This is one of the best parts of working at BNM. It really utilises its art collections to enhance the knowledge spaces. I have visited many libraries in Malaysia and saw a lot of opportunities in the area. Rather than putting up ‘factory arts’ we can have the originals by the local artists displayed. I suggested this to some libraries to work with the local artists. Good to see Pustaka Sarawak and PPAS leading the way for public libraries. PPAS really leverage its Royal Arts Collection. Some may say this will be an additional security challenge. I say it worth it as the benefits outweigh the risk tenfolds.

Footnote:

 

1. Farley, K. & Veitch, Jennifer. (2001). A Room with a View: A Review of the Effects of Windows on Work and Well-Being. 10.4224/20378971. 

2. Hansen, Margaret & Jones, Reo & Tocchini, Kirsten. (2017). Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 14. 851. 10.3390/ijerph14080851

3. https://theconversation.com/brain-research-shows-the-arts-promote-mental-health-136668