Week 7: Neuroscience + Art
Aristotle first believed that the seat of human thought and emotion was the heart and that the main purpose of the brain was to cool the blood and thereby prevent the lungs and heart from becoming overheated. We know today that isn't true. The brain is a very complex organ. “... [The Brain] can contemplate the meaning of infinity, and it can contemplate itself contemplating the meaning of infinity (TED Talks). ”
The brain is responsible for your dreams. It’s known that people don't remember 95% of their dreams. This is because to recall a dream, you would have to wake up from REM sleep. “If, instead, you pass into the next stage of sleep without rousing, that dream will never enter long-term memory (Pappas and Bryner).” This stage of sleep occurs about every 90 minutes, but can last anywhere from a few minutes to twenty minutes.
(Summer and Singh) (Bertolero and Bassett)
The discovery of different technologies, like electricity, has allowed scientists and researchers to discover what goes on in the brain. A standard machine used by doctors is an MRI machine. A functional MRI (fMRI) machine shows which parts of the brain "light up" during activity. “Functional MRI can be used to examine the brain's anatomy and show which parts of the brain are handling critical functions, language and movements (Mayo Clinic).”
(South Jersey Radiology Associates)
Humans aren’t the only ones whose brains are interesting. Scientists actually use mice to see how genes, cells, and neurons work.“ Brainbow mice are engineered with a gene that includes three different fluorescent proteins, but only one color is actually expressed from each copy of the DNA construct (Weissman).” This technology is particularly useful for mapping neuronal circuits, studying how neurons interact, and understanding complex cellular functions and architectures. These colors create beautiful images of the neurons, as shown below.
(Weissman)
“Meanwhile, art brings nuance to our understanding of neuroscience, uncovering new possibilities for offering healing through exposure to deeply meaningful visual pieces (Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design).” Art and neuroscience intersect in exploring how the brain perceives and processes visual, auditory, and emotional stimuli, helping us understand why certain artworks move or captivate us. Neuroscientific research can also reveal how creative expression affects brain function, from activating reward pathways to enhancing cognitive flexibility and emotional regulation.
Works and Images Cited
Bertolero, Max, and Dani S. Bassett. “How the Mind Emerges from the Brain's Complex Networks.” Scientific American, 1 July 2019, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-the-mind-emerges-from-the-brains-complex-networks/. Accessed 13 May 2025.
Mayo Clinic. “Brain Tumor MRI.” Mayo Clinic, 9 September 2023, https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mri/about/pac-20384768. Accessed 13 May 2025.
Pappas, Stephanie, and Jeanna Bryner. “Why Do We Forget So Many of Our Dreams?” Scientific American, 30 September 2023, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-we-forget-so-many-of-our-dreams1/. Accessed 13 May 2025.
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. “The Neuroscience of Creativity: Exploring How Art Affects Mental Health And Cognitive Function.” RMCAD, 11 March 2025, https://www.rmcad.edu/blog/the-neuroscience-of-creativity-exploring-how-art-affects-mental-health-and-cognitive-function/. Accessed 13 May 2025.
South Jersey Radiology Associates. “Can An MRI Detect Long Haul COVID Symptoms.” South Jersey Radiology, 3 July 2023, https://sjra.com/can-an-mri-detect-long-haul-covid-symptoms/. Accessed 13 May 2025.
Summer, Jay Vera, and Dr. Abhinav Singh. “REM Sleep: What It Is and Why It's Important.” Sleep Foundation, 22 March 2024, https://www.sleepfoundation.org/stages-of-sleep/rem-sleep. Accessed 13 May 2025.
TED Talks. “3 Clues to Understanding Your Brain.” Ted, March 2007, https://www.ted.com/talks/vs_ramachandran_3_clues_to_understanding_your_brain/transcript?subtitle=en. Accessed 13 May 2025.
Weissman, Tamily. “Hippocampus.” Cell Press, https://www.cell.com/pictureshow/brainbow. Accessed 13 May 2025.
Hey Lauren!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog; it really frames the brain as the complex structure it is. I loved your addition of Aristotle as a comparison to what we now know about the brain’s capabilities and how it allows us to dream, feel, and even think without thinking. There are so many dreams I wish I could remember in more detail, but since it hinges on waking up at the right moment, it makes it all the more frustrating. I’ve always found REM sleep fascinating, especially how physical movement is tied to memory and consciousness. I liked your addition of the Brainbow mice and how they map neural pathways through color. Overall, I agree with your takeaways that the brain isn’t just its biological components—it’s deeply tied to perception, emotion, and creativity!
Hi Lauren! I think you made excellent points in your blog post! It's really interesting how our perception of the brain has changed throughout history. As technology advanced, we were able to make new discoveries about the brain and its functions, allowing us to further explore its capabilities. I am also fascinated by modern artists' interpretations of this newly developed imaging technology, such as the mice neuron mapping. It's so beautiful how scientific studies can be translated into art.
ReplyDeleteHi, Lauren!
ReplyDeleteWhat fascinated me most about your blog post was your discussion surrounding dreams. I like how you consider them “lost material” simply because we do not wake up at the correct time. Your perspective reminds me of how we may lose fleeting neurological inspirations, just like an artist or a musician might. We must actively grab these dreams to attain their respective inspirations and lessons.
Art is also neurologically impactful, as evidenced by your inclusion of the fMRI, which allows the brain to respond to images, color, and emotion. Furthermore, art is not just decorative. Artists, like neurologists, impact the mind, as shown by the Braibow Mice. Indeed, beauty exists beyond abstract art projects such as the mice and in the science of it that also exists in our minds as humans.