Week 7 - Neuroaesthetics

A new field of research emerging out of neuroscience and art is neuroaesthetics. According to the International Network for Neuroaesthetics, “The main objective of neuroaesthetics is to characterize the neurobiological foundations and evolutionary history of the cognitive and effective processes involved in aesthetic experiences and artistic and other creative activities”. Although neuroaesthetics is a fairly new field of research, its recent expansion owes itself to researchers who have used differing methods to study psychological aesthetics and neuroscience together.

(Figure 1 Autistic Artist Stephen Wiltshire
on his Third Day of Drawing the
New York Skyline from Memory.)

Some researchers of neuroaesthetics prefer to study how one possesses the ability to create and interpret art by researching the link between specific brain areas and artistic activity. One common approach for these researchers is through the study the aesthetic experience of individuals with neural disorders and how they produce and appreciate art. For example, Stephen Wiltshire, and Autistic Savant, is called the “Human Camera” because of his ability to replicate landscapes in his drawings. By studying patients like Wiltshire, researchers will be able to better understand the areas of the brain responsible for capturing the essence of art.

(Figure 2 Tracy Walker's Illustration of
Michelangelo's Expulsion from Paradise.)

Other researchers, however, investigate the cause of aesthetic enjoyment by using brain-imaging techniques, including TMS and fMRI. For example, researcher David Freedberg performed a study that asked ten subjects to examine the wrist detail in Michelangelo’s Expulsion from Paradise painting. After looking at the brain images, Freedberg found the primary motor cortex that controlled the observer’s wrist became excited, leading Freedberg to determine that just the sight of the wrist activated the observer’s muscle.

(Figure 3 Leonardo
Da Vinci's Mona Lisa.)

Lastly, several researchers believe that over the centuries artists have devised techniques to make their paintings appealing by engaging certain neural processes of the observers.  For example, one famous painting that stimulates the brain is the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci. What makes the Mona Lisa such a famous painting is the beautiful yet complicated feeling that its observers are left with. In order to achieve this type of aesthetic experience, Da Vinci brings attention to the paintings smile by manipulating the observer’s visual shortcomings.   

Although neuroaesthetics can certainly help us better understand how and why we perceive art, some neuroscientists believe that it may never be fully understood. Vilayanur Ramachandran states that, “We have barely scratched the surface…the quintessence of art, and of genius, still eludes us—and may elude us forever”.    

Works Cited

Cara, Maria. "Neuroscience & Art: Margaret Livingstone Explains How Artists Take Advantage Of Human Visual Processing." . N.p., 07 Jan 2013. Web. 17 Nov 2013. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/07/neuroscience-art-margaret-livingstone_n_2339429.html>.

Figure 1. Wiltshire, Stephen. Sensation: Autistic artist Stephen Wiltshire on his third day of drawing the New York skyline from memory. 2009. Photograph. Mail OnlineWeb. 17 Nov 2013. <http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/10/29/article-1223790-07013122000005DC-358_964x499.jpg>.

Figure 2. Walker, Tracy. Illustration of Michelangelo's Expulsion from Paradise.. 2012. Photograph. Smithsonian.comWeb. 17 Nov 2013. <http://media.smithsonianmag.com/images/Beauty-Hard-Wired-for-Art-631.jpg>.

Figure 3. Mona Lisa. 2011. Photograph. Twilight LanguageWeb. 17 Nov 2013. <https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RMGu1Q_HNJCM0nLKbD_vQ1u3ZaMvJf3rQ51DM8oG34Y3ZJiLAK-tndTTFl5mRJvzvhWBbUYzAPnxX_FTza63iomNO3vvQ-xdrb89gFraEuokkU0Udijheo6QY0IwWeIAYpaV8oXa7liu/s320/Mona Lisa.jpg>.

Neal, Adam. "Extraordinary Piece of ASS: Acquired Savant Syndrome." Psychology Tomorrow Magazine . PSYCHOLOGY TOMORROW MAGAZINE, 09 Apr 2013. Web. 17 Nov 2013. <http://www.psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/adamnealextraordinary-piece-of-ass-acquired-savant-syndrome/>.

"Neuroaesthetics." International Network for Neuroaesthetics. The Word Press.com . Web. 17 Nov 2013. <http://neuroaesthetics.net/neuroaesthetics/>.

Tucker, Abigail. "How Does the Brain Process Art?."Smithsonian.com. Smithsonian, n.d. Web. 17 Nov 2013. <http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-does-the-brain-process-art-174844711.html>.

Vesna, Victoria. “CoLE.” CoLE. N.p.. Web. 17 Nov 2013.<https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/63226/wiki/unit-7-view?module_item_id=970446>.