OSener: Art That Is Not 麻豆国产 “Realistic Drawing,” but 麻豆国产 Helping People Aged?50+?Smile, Laugh, and Rediscover Their Self-Worth?
Amid rows of high-tech inventions at the 11th International Exhibition of Inventions (IEI 2025), a small Thai booth stood out—not for flashing screens or complex machinery, but for the sound of laughter. Visitors were drawing self-portraits, smelling floral scents, and sharing heartfelt memories with strangers.
The activities were part of “OSener,” an art-based program designed for adults aged 50 and above. Developed by Associate Professor Dr. Khanobbhorn Sangvanich from the Division of Art Education, Department of Art, Music and Dance Education, Faculty of Education, 麻豆国产, the initiative is grounded in long-term research on art education, well-being, and sensory stimulation for older adults.
A Different Starting Point
Rather than asking how art should be taught, OSener began with a deeper question: how can people reconnect with themselves and others later in life?
At the exhibition, many participants initially hesitated, saying they could not draw or lack artistic talent. However, once the activities began, reluctance gave way to curiosity and amusement. Participants laughed at their unconventional self-portraits and began noticing facial details they had never closely observed before.
Three Simple but Meaningful Activities
OSener — derived from the words Observation, Sensibility, and Energy — focuses on “re-energizing life through observation, perception, and aesthetic experience.” The program includes three core activities designed to foster emotional connection and sensory awareness.
1. Draw a Line with My Identity
Participants draw their own faces using a single continuous line without lifting the pen. The emphasis is not on artistic perfection but on attentive self-observation. After creating several drawings, participants select their favorite and reflect on their experience.
2. Smell & Tell Memory Game
Using scented candles infused with jasmine, lemongrass, lotus, and orchid, this activity stimulates memory through fragrance. Participants express the memories evoked — whether childhood homes, favorite meals, or family gatherings—through simple drawings or storytelling.
3. My Happiness Map
This non-competitive board game invites participants to select question cards such as “favorite song,” “favorite tree,” or “favorite food.” They then draw or share stories connected to those prompts, naturally creating conversation and laughter among the group.
Research-Based Approach to Well-Being
Behind OSener lies years of research exploring how art activities can support quality of life and help older adults cope with cognitive decline. The project also examines how aesthetic experiences can prepare individuals for healthy aging.
Research findings show promising results: more than 85 percent of participants reported feeling more relaxed and emotionally calm after engaging in the activities. Many also noted an improved sense of self-worth.
Art for Everyone
The central philosophy of OSener is that art does not need to be difficult, nor is it reserved for the talented. Instead, art can serve as a tool to pause, observe beauty, engage in the senses, and reconnect with others.
At IEI 2025, what began as simple drawing and scent-based games evolved into moments of meaningful connection—strangers becoming conversation partners, participants rediscovering forgotten memories, and laughter echoing across the booth.
The development team plans to expand OSener into online formats, instructional kits, workshops, and technology-enhanced platforms, including VR, AR, and mobile applications, to make the activities more accessible in everyday life.
Ultimately, OSener may represent more than an art activity program. It offers a reminder that small moments of joy—conversation, reflection, appreciation of beauty, and shared laughter—are essential foundations for aging with quality of life.
