Artistic Expression Is An Alternative To Enhance Identity From A Sociocultural Approach Among The Group Of The Plastic Arts Career Of The Technical University Of Machala

Abstract

The Visual Arts Department implemented the project: "System of Artistic Expression Activities for the Formation of Sociocultural Identity" over two years, in accordance with the objective: to establish a system of artistic expression activities to enhance identity from a sociocultural perspective among the Visual Arts Department community and in response to the challenges related to artistic expression and its impact on identity formation from a sociocultural perspective among the program's members. The project's development and the research process focused on mixed methods, a non-experimental design, and bibliographic and field research. The study population consisted of 9 professors and 19 eighth-semester students, as well as 5 student class presidents from the fourth to seventh semesters. Relevant results were obtained: 84.21% of the students stated that the project was only superficially presented. 84.22% of the students maintained that identity development was very limited in their training. 94.74% of students highlight that the importance of the sociocultural approach as a central element in identity development has been only slightly emphasized. 73.68% believe that events based on murals, art exhibitions, catalog publications, and the production of postcard-style prints are scarce. In conclusion, artistic expression is a viable alternative for strengthening individual and collective identity among students in the Visual Arts program.