Week 7: Neuroscience + Art

Brain functions

Neuroscience is the study of the brain, the control center of the human body. Neuroscience encompasses the mind, emotions and memory. For example, fear is the most basic emotion and occurs when there is danger. We react to fear by muscles tensing, heart beating faster, and hormones flowing (Theamygdaloids). Art enhances our perception of the brain and assists in research to further understand brain functions through visualization.

Franz Joseph Gall discovered that different parts of the brain have different functions (Uconlineprogram). Furthermore, according to Mark Cohen, when a part of the brain is used more often, the area gets bigger and thus, bumps form (Ucdesma). This is known as brain mapping since different sections of the brain can be identified through bump sizes. Brain mapping uses artistic skills to depict all sections of the brain for scientists to model after. Neuroscience heavily relies on art for brain visualization.
Brain Mapping
Spirituality is an important aspect of the mind. Many people are interested in the idea of consciousness because thinking seems to come naturally without mechanics. The “modern man” is someone fully conscious of the present (Jung). In other words, when people realize that spirit is the life within the body and the body is the outer manifestation of spirit, one will truly become conscious and grasp the concept of the mind. Spiritually, a person will value the ideas of general welfare and thus, develop a personality type through the art of humanitarianism.

Specifically, neuroscience determines individuality. Individualism is categorized as neuroculture – neuroscience embedded in social values and norms (Frazzetto). For example, behavior and personality stems from the pre-frontal cortex. Behavior and personality are linked and define individuality because people think and react differently. Neuroculture also affects perspectives and different perspectives lead to creativity.

One example of a significant artist inspired by neuroscience is Suzanne Anker, who created the fMRI butterfly, where fifteen identical brain scans were superimposed with an image of an ink blot butterfly (Uconlineprogram). The butterfly is not only beautiful art, but it covers the concept of synapse. Neurons were seen as butterflies; wings, containing synaptic information, represent dendrites. Anker demonstrates the art and creativity behind her work, while also helping scientists understand the formation and function of synapses. Her contribution provided great insight to both scientific and artistic fields and led to further advancement of synapse studies.

Suzanne Anker's fMRI Butterfly

References
Frazzetto, Giovanni, and Suzanne Anker. "Neuroculture." Perspectives. Macmillan Publishers Limited, 2009. Web. 19 May 2017.

Jung, Carl. "The Spiritual Problem of Modern Man." N.p., 2009. Web. 19 May 2017.

Theamygdaloids. "Fearing - The Amygdaloids." YouTube. YouTube, 14 July 2010. Web. 20 May 2017.

Ucdesma. "Neuroscience-Mark Cohen.mov." YouTube. YouTube, 12 May 2012. Web. 19 May 2017.

Uconlineprogram. "Neuroscience-pt1.mov." YouTube. YouTube, 17 May 2012. Web. 19 May 2017.


Images
"Artwork." Suzanne Anker. N.p., 2008. Web. 21 May 2017.

"Future." BBC. BBC, n.d. Web. 21 May 2017.

"How Human Brain Mapping Can Help You Understand This Master Organ?" Human Brain Facts about Parts Etc - HumanBrainFacts.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2017.

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