Music, poetry, painting, drama, and dance have been used effectively in various nursing situations. For instance, Christoffers, a nurse and dancer, emphasizes the importance of body language as communication and supports her view with clinical evidence. She urges nurses to become "physically literate--to develop an understanding and appreciation of the part played by body language in human relationships."[7] Or again, according to Garner, "Music, when carefully planned, can be used as a source of culture, nurturance, communication, socialization, and therapeusis."[8] A major therapeutic value of art lies in the fact that it confronts one with reality. "Art is a lie which makes us realize the truth."[9] In his novel, _The Conspiracy_, Hersey has Lucan, a poet, write to Seneca: "To me the ideal of a work of art is that each man should be able, in contemplating it, to see himself as he really is. Thus art and reality meet. This is the great healing strength of art, this is the power of art, ... Art's power which nothing can challenge, is the blinding light of recognition."[10] By using various art forms the nurse helps the patient experience, become aware of, and express his feelings. When the activity occurs in a group, the members have the additional advantage of sharing in others' expressions and of developing fellow-feeling. Increased socialization is another important therapeutic effect nurse-artists/art appreciators seek in the use of art. A corollary benefit is improved communication between the patient and the nurse or between the patient and others. Obviously, self-knowledge and fellow-feeling are consistent with the aim of humanistic nursing to nurture well-being and more-being. A person develops his human potential and becomes the unique individual he is through his relationships with other men. NURSING AS ART Thus far, this chapter has been concerned with the relatedness of nursing and art. It was seen that nurses may study arts and humanities for a broader understanding of the human situation, may express their nursing worlds through various art forms, and may use the arts therapeutically. Now the question is raised whether nursing is an art, and if so, what kind of art. {90} Artful Application Even the most scientific nurses do not deny that nursing is, in some way, an art. But precisely how the art and science of nursing are interrelated is not clear. For example, Abdellah writes: "The art of nursing must not be confused with the science of nursing. The former concerns itself with intuitive and technical skills (often ritualistic), and also the more supportive aspects of nursing; the latter concerns itself with scientific truths. Both are important. They are interwoven and complement each other."[11]