Week 7: Art & Neuroscience

Neuroscience, the study of the brain and nervous system, relies on art for many things, like the representation of ideas and analysis of findings. For example, in his TedTalk, Christian deCharms describes looking into people’s brains using MRIs that show a variety of colors and images. These colors and images, which can be viewed as an art, allow people to understand what is going on in people’s brains, which contributes to developments in neuroscience. 

An image of colorful MRI brain scans (Image 1)

Another example that I found very interesting that combined art and neuroscience was Vesna’s octopus brainstorming. In this creation, observers could view the participants’ mental states by looking at the colors of the octopus on their head. I really liked this example because it utilized art in a way that wasn’t basic or overly simple, but still allowed people to expand their knowledge about neuroscience.

A photo of octopus brainstorming (Image 2)

Additionally, I found the idea of drugs and art very intriguing. I have heard a lot about artists being addicted to drugs, and I have always wondered why. From the lecture, I now understand that drugs alter one’s state of consciousness and alter people’s neurons and the way in which people’s neurons interact with each other. Therefore, it makes sense that artists often use drugs because they are able to alter their state of consciousness, which allows for increased creativity. 

Particularly, I found an article about LSD and art written by Rodri XO very interesting because he explains why exactly he uses acid and how it contributes to his creativity. Ultimately, he talks about the changes in awareness in color, his surroundings, and instincts. These changes allow him to be more creative and let loose. 

An example of LSD art (Image 3)

Therefore, the use of drugs in art is related to neuroscience and art because drugs alter one’s neurons and state of consciousness, and affects one’s ability to be creative and create art.

Works Cited

Albu, Christina. “Planetary Re-Enchantment: Human-Animal Entanglements in Victoria Vesna’s Octopus Brainstorming.” Simon Fraser University, https://www.sfu.ca/cmajournal/issues/issue-ten--enchantment--disenchantment--reenchantment/cristina-albu.html?fbclid=IwAR1twyrqbeKqNrJSUXSihLVGvX_D9ARndxDv3USnw2pTENE_iXHJtIo8v54. Accessed 17 May 2024.

deCharms, Christopher. “A look inside the brain in real time.” TedTalk, February 2008, https://www.ted.com/talks/christopher_decharms_a_look_inside_the_brain_in_real_time/transcript?language=en. Accessed 17 May 2024.

Karanovic, Dunja. “Drug (Ab)use in the Art World.” Hickman Design, 21 April 2023, https://hickmandesign.co.uk/blog/history/drug-use-in-the-art-world/. Accessed 17 May 2024.

Vesna, Victoria. “Neuroscience Part 3.” YouTube, 16 May 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5EX75xoBJ0.

XO, Rodri. “Unlocking Creativity: How Acid Transformed My Artistic Journey.” Psychedelic Spotlight,             31 May 2023, https://psychedelicspotlight.com/unlocking-creativity-how-acid-transformed-my-                artistic-journey/. Accessed 17 May 2024.

Image Citations

[3] Roberts, Notrik. “lsd-1-one hand Painting.” Saatchi Art, https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-lsd-1-one-hand/630619/2513900/view. Accessed 17 May 2024.

[1] Simon, Fraser. “Coloured sagittal MRI scans of the human brain - Stock Image - P332/0329.” Science Photo Library, https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/306960/view/coloured-sagittal-mri-scans-of-the-human-brain. Accessed 17 May 2024.

[2] Sommer, Valerie. “'Octopus BrainStorming' | UCLA.” UCLA Newsroom, 14 November 2017, https://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/octopus-brainstorming. Accessed 17 May 2024.