Neuroscience is a very important aspect of society, as it is constantly developing to further understand the human brain. As scientists research to learn more and more about how the brain processes different things consciously and unconsciously, artists are able to use this to enhance art (1). While hearing this in the lecture videos, I immediately thought of my own example of this that happened earlier this year. There was a picture of a dress that went viral on social media that showed how neuroscience can trick the mind.
Some people thought the dress was black and blue, and others thought that it was white and gold. The real dress was actually blue and black, but depending on several variables, different people’s brains interpreted the color in different ways (2). This showed me that people can slightly alter images and artwork and produce affect people and their brains in different ways.
In Vilayaanur Ramachandran’s Ted Talk, “3 clues to understanding your brain” (3), I learned about the Capgras delusion, when someone comes out of a coma, and believes that their mother is an imposter for some reason. He explains how this shows that when the brain is confused, it tries to fill in the blanks, and sometimes this distorts reality.
This also comes to play in magic shows, and with magician work (4). They use the natural tendencies of the human mind and ‘hack’ them to make it appear as if it is magic. This is a type of art because magicians use the knowledge of neuroscience and the human body to trick others.
There is even a sub division of aesthetics that goes by ‘neuroesthetics’, which is the study of “the neural bases for the contemplation and creation of a work of art” (5). This shows just how strong the connection between art and neuroscience is that there is even a name for it.
Works Cited:
(1)Vesna, Victoria. Neuroscience and Art. Lecture. Video
(2)Weintrab, Karen. "Blue or White Dress? Why We See Colors Differently." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 27 Feb. 2015. Web. 18 May 2015.
(3)"3 Clues to Understanding Your Brain." VS Ramachandran:. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2015.
(4)"Sleights of Mind - What the Neuroscience of Magic Reveals About Our Everyday Deceptions." Sleights of Mind RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2015.
(5)"Neuroesthetics." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 18 May 2015.
Images:
(1)"White+dress+vs+blue - Google Search." White+dress+vs+blue - Google Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2015.
(2)<http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00397/13SMRAMACHANDRAN_397786f.jpg>
(3)"Magic+and+neuroscience - Google Search." Magic+and+neuroscience - Google Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2015.
I almost forgot about the blue and black/white and gold dress! When the picture first went viral, that was the most I could remember rods and cones being brought up in conversation since my physiology class. Now that you bring it up, I see the dress as a great example of neuroscience affecting media and our daily lives.
ReplyDeleteIt never crossed my mind that magic exploited our brains that way! Do you think reality distortion coupled with psychedelics could potentially aid our brains in filling in the blanks? While drugs like LSD are known to be affect brain activity, I think there’s a point at which our brains could potentially use it to an advantage and “see through” the distortion.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you drew on the controversy and the gold and white/black and blue dress. That's a really good example on relating the two worlds, nice post!
ReplyDeleteI loved your post, especially the part about the dress. I also liked the part about the magician. Overall, I found your post really fascinating and enjoyable to read!
ReplyDeleteThe dress is white and gold! I loved how you used modern examples in this weeks blog!
ReplyDelete