Week 7: Neuroscience+Art

 The lecture on the integration of neuroscience and art this week was particularly noteworthy, given the general public's interest in neuroscience. Many individuals see neuroscience as a means to comprehend their own uniqueness, while art serves as a tool to interpret and grasp the potential unknown (Anker).

Can a Brain Scan Help Diagnose ADHD?, https://americanhealthimaging.com/blog/brain-scan-help-diagnose-adhd/.

What surprised me the most was discovering the strong connection between neuroscience and art, surpassing any other scientific field. This was evident during the lecture, where numerous scientists, professors, and even students experimented with various drugs. One compelling example highlighted the fusion of art and science when Albert Hofmann deliberately consumed LSD to demonstrate its effects (Vesna). Through this experiment, Hofmann encountered an otherworldly experience, distinct from everyday reality. Research has indicated that LSD, with its capacity to alter mindset, visuals, and even the perception of time, can "enhance" artistic creativity (Janiger).

Google. Google’s Psychedelic Art: This Is Your Computer Brain on Drugs, https://behavioralscientist.org/googles-psychedelic-art-this-is-your-computer-brain-on-drugs/.

Another significant figure showcased this week was Daniel Jay, whose emphasis lies in the realm of "archemy" and understanding how our brains perceive art. Given that the brain governs our vision and perception, this knowledge holds great importance for artists in crafting their work. Jay's experiments and artistic endeavors involve the utilization of chemicals and studying their reactions on paper. Additionally, I believe the concept of Brainbow truly embodies the intersection of neuroscience and art. Prior to this lecture, I had very little knowledge about the term, which refers to a method of distinguishing individual neurons in the brain from their neighboring neurons using fluorescent proteins. The resulting images are genuinely breathtaking. It comes as no surprise that these captivating visuals have garnered numerous accolades within the realms of both science and art.

Weissman, Tamily. Green Fluorescent Protein Cool Uses, https://www.conncoll.edu/ccacad/zimmer/GFP-ww/cooluses0.html.


Citations 

 Janiger, Oscar, and Marlene Dobkin de Rios. “LSD and Creativity.” Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, vol. 21, no. 1, Jan. 1989, pp. 129–34. Taylor and Francis+NEJM, https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.1989.10472150.

Anker, Suzanne – Geneculture | Dataisnature. https://www.dataisnature.com/?p=532.

 Vesna, Victoria. "Lecture 3: Neurochemical, Neuroscience + Art." DESMA  University of California, Los Angeles. Lecture.

Vesna, Victoria. "DESMA 9: Neuroscience + Art with Daniel Jay from Art: SCI Center on Vimeo." DESMA 9: NEUROSCIENCE + ART with Daniel Jay from Art|Sci Center on Vimeo, 2022, https://player.vimeo.com/video/705240177?h=71a692e53d&color=cca134&title=0&byline=0&portrait=0. 

 Jay, Daniel. "Dan Jay Art." Dan Jay Art, http://danjayart.com/. 

Vesna, Victoria. “Conscious / Memory (Part 1).” Lecture. 13 May 2015. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DLVQIwOn7o8

Comments

  1. ninafukuiDESMA9May 22, 2023 at 6:08 PM

    I thoroughly enjoyed reading this section of your blog post! It's fascinating to see how the boundaries between art and science can blur, and the example of Albert Hofmann's experiment with LSD truly captures this fusion. The idea that LSD can "enhance" artistic creativity is truly thought-provoking. By transcending the conventional boundaries of perception, individuals may tap into new realms of inspiration and imagination. This connection between mind-altering substances and artistic expression is not only intriguing but also sparks a discussion about the nature of creativity itself.

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