Obsessions are like itches on your body you can’t get rid of. Constantly thinkingabout the itch, constantly satisfying the need for the time being, but never being fully satisfied to move on and let it go. Obsessive behaviors and obsessive thought patterns are everywhere a person goes, even though it mostly goes unnoticed by those around them. Having an obsession is a very common thing in most people; Adults, teens, and children. The interest in this topic came from my own experiences with obsession. In this dissertation, the research shows the effects of specific obsessions within adults, teens, and children. Looking to understand the behavior and thought patterns of these specific obsession will smoothly transfer the finding back to the authors own personal and professional development. In doing so, this will create harmony between the project, research, and the authors upcoming endeavors.

Cultural background is very important for people, and people from different cultural backgrounds will have different understandings of art. This document explores how individuals relate to other cultures and incorporate the advantages of Chinese cultural values into contemporary dance experiences as researched for the applied project, III. This project uses the Bagua theory in the ancient Chinese book the I Ching to carry out the process of collaborative creation through different art forms in collaboration with artists from different mediums. This document details the artist’s process of self-exploration and creative expansion using personal cultural background and influences (both Eastern and Western). Through this research the artist has come to understand and develop unique personal perspectives and formulate a creative method that she will continue to use in the future; it centers the importance of cultural identity and how that shapes experiences of art and art-making.

ABSTRACT The participatory and interactive nature of the "Hearing in Color" project unites people from different walks of life. My interest lies in creating a space for people to explore their creativity, think critically, and hone their own voice in a safe and collaborative environment. I have discovered that all art forms: movement, voice, visual or digital, stimulate possibilities for expression and enable people to move forward in new directions. To this end, my project fused multiple avenues of engagement, innovative dance technology, and alternative or site-specific locations to create a community-based project aimed at promoting dialogue and enhancing ties between several groups in the Phoenix area. In this paper, I argue that a multi-layered approach to community-arts and the use of advanced technology builds bridges for diverse populations to come together to participate and learn from one another. I also maintain that community exists among all communities involved in a process of community arts, not just the participants and facilitator. When community engagement and awareness are prioritized, a multi-layered approach creates the possibilities of growth, honesty, and understanding for all people involved.