Neuroscience + Art

To me, Neuroscience + Art can be considered a subcomponent of the previous blog assignment, Medtech + Art, because it is involved with the way we map out our bodies through an artistic form. However, now that we are focused on the most magical and infinite organ -- the brain. I am excited to delve deeper into the complexities of the brains which connects the entire nervous system, and controls every aspect of our bodies.

Professor Vesna was talking about the term "phrenology," which is the idea that we can compartmentalize our brains into several sections, assigning each section with a function or role that it plays. Similarly like art and science, the visual representations of these regions are extremely detailed and helps us imagine and understand what specifically is going on. The artists' work is truly underrated -- to be able to combine the scientific knowledge of brain functions with a picture to depict time, memory, depth, personality, and other behaviors, definitely promotes mastery in neuroscience and art.

Digital artist, Ruth West, questions whether or not there should be a separate standard for art involving living organisms and self-living systems. What's the difference between the two? I personally do not think such separate standards are needed since art can be created using so many different instruments that we can’t have separate standards for all when we all universally feel the joys of appreciating good art. I'm a big believer in there being this common enjoyment of art that's the same for a baby and the most experienced connoisseur.


Noah Hutton is a critically acclaimed filmmaker who strongly believes that art and neuroscience go hand in hand because they both enable each other to be a large part of our lives. If you think about the existence of one without the other...it's impossible, they are codependent. Art is the rich content that human life desires while neuroscience is the vehicle in which this content enters our lives. His films focus more on documentaries for a cause such as oil drilling, bone marrow donors, climate change, and dark ecology. His form of art helps communicate using ethos and pathos, allowing specific targeted groups of people to find a sense of intimacy in his work.

Another artist I found interesting is Greg Dunn, a University of Pennsylvania student whose art stems from Japan’s Tokugawa period paintings. I appreciate how minimalistic his work is, yet there is so much power behind these neuron-like branches in how they segment off into different paths representing the uncertainty of our central nervous system. This abstract art can be overlooked and interpreted as a design to most common folk. However, when you take the time to observe what these shapes represent, and how accurately they mimic our brain's neurons, you will be surprised. Just look below -- I pulled up a neuron ink piece of Dunn's collection and a diagram that dissects the components of a neuron. What are the similarities and differences between the two?

[1] Vesna, Victoria. “Conscious / Memory (Part 1).” Lecture. 16 Nov 2012. 
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DLVQIwOn7o8>.

[2] West , Ruth. "Ruth West Digital Artist." Ruth West Digital Artist. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2015. <http://www.ruthwest.com/>.

[3] Dunn , Greg. "Greg Dunn Design - Visual Art | Neuroscience Art | Gold Leaf Painting."Greg Dunn Design. Visual Art , n.d. Web. 15 May 2015. 
<http://www.gregadunn.com/>.

[4] Dean, Geoffrey. "Phrenology and the Grand Delusion of Experience." CSI. Web. 15 May 2015. <http://www.csicop.org/si/show/phrenology_and_the_grand_delusion_of_experience/>.

[5] "Sleuthing the Mind: Exhibition Review." The Beautiful Brain. 9 Nov. 2014. Web. 15 May 2015. <http://thebeautifulbrain.com/author/noah/>.