Week 7 Neuroscience and Art

Human mind has always been an intriguing subject throughout history. How we think determines how we percept the world, and then influences how we interpret the world. To me, art is about our interpretations and perceptions of the world. So understanding our own minds is crucial to the development of art. In particular, neuroscience is of great significance to art.

Neuron Trees


To begin with, the human mind itself is a great art piece. The neuron connection patterns discovered by Ramon y Cajal exhibit tree-like input and output structures. Such complicated and delicate patterns are inherent in each of us and it is hard to believe that they have no artistic purposes. Our imagination is a result of interactive activities between these neurons.

Dreams


The next thing that comes into mind is dream. Professor Vesna mentioned that although plenty of researches have been done, we still know little about dreams. Indeed, dreams are mysterious in the sense that even under that unconscious state, our mind can create spectacular scenes. Moreover, dreams can make the impossible possible and anything unrealistic becomes less unrealistic in dreams. Imagination is what drives us in the dreams.

LSD Effects


Speaking of imagination, it is probably the most important character for artists. But as one ages, imagination tends to fade away as rules are imposed. In the lecture, LSD served as a drug that can temporarily improve one’s imagination. Albert Hofmann mentioned he experienced extraordinary shapes with intense kaleidoscopic play of colors. But LSD was so unstable that it could cause other side effects. So for art development, it is important to understand how imagination works and it would be nice if there is a safe way to open up imaginations.








Reference
Vesna, Victoria. Lecture in Neuroscience and Art Part I. N.p. N.d.
       https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/684222/pages/unit-7-view?module_item_id=11226169
Vesna, Victoria. Lecture in Neuroscience and Art Part II. N.p. N.d.
       https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/684222/pages/unit-7-view?module_item_id=11226169
Vesna, Victoria. Lecture in Neuroscience and Art Part III. N.p. N.d.
       https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/684222/pages/unit-7-view?module_item_id=11226169
Unknown. Neurons 1. N.p. N.d.
       http://scicurious.scientopia.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2011/05/neurons1.jpg
Unknown. Dream. N.p. N.d.
        https://www.euroresidentes.com/entretenimiento/esoterismo/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2015/08/cabeza-cabellera28129.jpg
Unknown. Psychedelic. N.p. N. d.
         http://images.medicaldaily.com/sites/medicaldaily.com/files/styles/headline/public/2016/04/12/psychedelic.jpg
           


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