Neuroscience + Art | Week 4

There is so much mystery that surrounds the brain, from its mystique as the control center of the human psyche, to its role in consciousness and concept of self personality.  In addition, the brain's central role in mind-body separation and in dreams continue to intrigue artists and scientists alike.

It is not surprising then that neuroscience + art is a huge emerging field, as art often attempts to provide insight or opinions on the unknown, using visuals as a form of interpreting mystery.  Understandably, with huge advancements in neuroscience, beginning with concrete understandings of brain anatomy to now the culture of neurochemicals, the field is more lucid then ever before, and the new advancements allowing for manipulation and imaging of the brain without cutting into the tissue itself are giving artists an entirely new viewpoint on the field.

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The brain has only been seriously studied for about a century, and brain anatomy was a burgeoning field pioneered by Ramon Ikahal and Franz Joseph Gall.  With phrenology stemming from the Greek "mind", the concept of localized knowledge in the brain (and not the heart) was revolutionary at the time.  Furthermore, the study of neurons and their branching nature gave both artists and scientists a look into the extreme complexities within the body's microscopic structures.

Artists are interested in how perception and interpretation stems from this biological and neuronal infrastructure.  Such is exemplified in Suzanne Anker's Neuroculture project, which aims to examine how modern brain science permeates popular culture.  One of her projects is entitled the fMRI butterfly, where brains superimposed with a butterfly and inkblots. It brings out a nuanced notion where butterflies are the same in each print but look different (slight optical illusion).

Other artists aim to show the beauty of the body's machinery.  With fMRIs, CAT scans, and other noninvasive imaging techniques, artists are now able to highlight the beauty of natural design.  Such is exemplified by the Brainbow, which is a term used to describe the process by which individual neurons in the brain can be distinguished from neighboring neurons using fluorescent protein. Neurons can be flagged with distinctive colors to create a cascade of neurons.  Personally, when I saw this picture, it drew comparisons between mechanics (ex. freeway extended exposure) and life (the brainbow).  It's very interesting to see the comparisons between natural life processes and how anthropogenically created structures often coincide with natural order.

Brainbow of Zebrafish Embryo

I also found it interesting to learn about neurochemical drugs and how they can alter perceptions (and the artwork that is done while under such influences).  With so many advances in biotechnology and neuroscience, artists are now able to alter their state of minds to complete art through outer-body experiences, still created by the mind, but rooted in fantasy and imagination.

Throughout the lecture I considered Professor Vesna's introductory question, "are machines expanding consciousness or restricting it?".  I think that machines are a double edged sword.  While machines may be replacing certain tedious processes and improving the efficiency of production, I have seen the obsession with technology and social networks completely engross people and sometimes make them lose dimensionality in their personality.  I think that with machines, it is easy to restrict consciousness while living among such technology, to be content and satisfied with the advancements surrounding you.  However, I believe that the human tendency is to strive for better and to constantly innovate.  From that perspective, machines and knowledge of the brain and neurons only serves to introduce more questions about the human condition, promote more thought, more artwork, and ultimately, more innovation -- thus, consciousness and an understanding of self is expanded with the advent of technology, machines, and mechanical knowledge.

Sources:
Anker, S. (n.d.). MRI Butterfly. Retrieved July 19, 2014, from http://www.suzanneanker.com/artwork/?wppa-album=16&wppa-photo=132&wppa-occur=1
Detailed Brain Anatomy. (n.d.). Paradoja7com. Retrieved July 19, 2014, from http://www.paradoja7.com/detailed-brain-anatomy/
Nadel, Lynn. Encyclopedia of cognitive science. Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley, 2005. Print.
Schier, A. F.. "Multicolor Brainbow Imaging in Zebrafish." Cold Spring Harbor Protocols: pdb.prot5546-pdb.prot5546. Print.
Vesna, Victoria. "Neuroscience, Pt. 1." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 18 July 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzXjNbKDkYI>.