Week 7 Blog

 Prior to this week, I had not put a considerable amount of thought into neuroscience, the brain, and how it can be a tool for art. However, upon some analysis, the fact that images are better stored in the brain when they have strong and excessive graphics [Fabiani]. With this in mind, it makes sense as to why some artists may incorporate strong visual influences in their art and neuroscience as a tool to create art that has a lasting impression on the audience, such as "The Persistence of Memory" by Salvador Dali.

The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali

A separate component of the brain that inspires art is consciousness. Art relating to consciousness is an idea that I am familiar with, which often includes strong, colorful images. Born from art and consciousness alike is psychedelic art, which is inspired by images and experiences about entering a psychedelic state, disconnected from the brain and centered within the mind [ Tate]. Interestingly, many artists may work under the influence of LSD drugs in order to have a better connection to the art and put what they feel at the moment onto a canvas. Azul Degrasso, a writer who is also active in the art community, gives his own account of experiencing psychedelics, claiming: "The experience of that altered state of consciousness gave more animation and soul to art and now magnifies the knowledge I have regarding art and my inner calling" [Degrasso]. 

 

"Star Dancers" by Alex and Allyson Grey

In modern times, when many people are more likely to be disconnected from their physical selves and tied to other pleasures, such as technology, it is easy to take the mind for granted. However, art through the centuries has used neuroscience to show that deep artistic observation is vital to intellectual and spiritual understanding [Humphrey]. Not only neuroscience is involved in this form of art appreciation, but the simple connection and appreciation of the body itself are vital to entertaining this unique art form. Connecting with the body, trusting one's own intuition, and entering this state of 'nirvana' allows some people who never believed that they could be artists, to become artists, such as Elizabeth Traina [Wilson]. Upon researching this topic, I found that the idea of consciousness was not only seen as an enemy by Traina, but by other experienced artists, as well. Ray Bradbury, author and screenwriter, once claimed that self-consciousness is the enemy of all art and thinking is the enemy of creativity" [Bradbury]. Given the obsession that many artists have with disconnecting their states of mind and bodies, I found this claim interesting as it relates to their situations entirely.

Elizabeth Traina Art

Works Cited

“″.” ″ - Wiktionary, https://media.meer.com/attachments/af30f788dbefc2846abda8927da0544ea343c722/store/fill/1860/1046/7d845b198b0e9acf5e5f7d88f4b1769406e5495aaad7dbe92dee7a381b31/Salvador-Dali-The-persistence-of-memory.jpg. Accessed 19 May 2023.

“″.” ″ - Wiktionary, https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Findependentmusicpromotions.com%2Fslip-inside-the-mac-as-you-pass-by%2F&psig=AOvVaw3W6wMf73OsB5Ib45eL8RSN&ust=1684649358397000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBAQjRxqFwoTCNCjkoaeg_8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABBB. Accessed 19 May 2023.

“″.” ″ - Wiktionary, https://i0.wp.com/www.yesmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/imports/4377b53e1a50404aa7fc3fdc764e4046.jpg?zoom=2&resize=770%2C470&quality=90&ssl=1. Accessed 19 May 2023.

Bradbury, Ray. “Self-Consciousness Is the Enemy of All Art – Quote Investigator®.” Quote Investigator, 6 December 2019, https://quoteinvestigator.com/2019/12/06/self-conscious/. Accessed 19 May 2023.

Degrasso, Azul, and David Bronner. “Visionary Art as Evolving Consciousness.” Digital Commons @ CIIS, 23 March 2022, https://digitalcommons.ciis.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1120&context=cejournal. Accessed 19 May 2023.

Fabiani, Paolo. “The features of mental images in the art of memory.” Meer, 29 September 2017, https://www.meer.com/en/30643-the-features-of-mental-images-in-the-art-of-memory. Accessed 19 May 2023.

Humphrey, Nicholas. “Think of Consciousness as Art Created by the Brain.” Scientific American, 1 May 2015, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/think-of-consciousness-as-art-created-by-the-brain/. Accessed 19 May 2023.

“Psychedelic art.” Tate, https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/p/psychedelic-art. Accessed 19 May 2023.

Wilson, Simon. “The Power Of Art & Consciousness.” Art and Consciousness, https://maryattwood.com/the-power-of-art-consciousness/. Accessed 19 May 2023.