Art can stimulate and impact the mind. It affects how our thoughts and emotions are processed and how we experience our world. The study of art is a complex part of human life because its meaning is multi-faceted and open to interpretation. This article will dig into one psychological effect art has on cognition. When looking at works of art, people tend to focus on details that seem obvious at first glance but have little bearing on the work upon further examination.
Here are a few of the benefits and ways the brain is affected by art:
1-Lowers stress
Art therapy is an expressive therapy that allows clients to explore their feelings and emotions through the creative process of making art. Art therapists believe that everyone has artistic potential. Art therapy uses art media, including clay, paint, collage, drawing, pastels, sculpture, poetry, and written expression. Art therapy may be used alone or in conjunction with individual or group psychotherapy.
Hellenistic and Classical art made an impact on how people viewed art. It created paths on how to see the world. It influenced people to see the world in a new way. Norman Bryson states art “the eye makes the mind”. When you see a piece of art, it differs in how it makes you think and what you think about it.
Click here if you want to know more about Hellenistic and Classical art.
Research in art therapy is still ongoing, but many are finding that engaging in art therapy reduces stress. Creating art can reduce cortical levels for those who identify as artists and those who don't, so everyone can benefit from making art no matter their skill level.
2-Increases memory for details
Artists have been using detail and color to express their thoughts for many years. This shows in their artwork, inspiring those who come across it to remember more information about the subject matter. The brain scans of those who view art show different activation patterns in the part of the brain that stores memories, showing that they can extract more information from works of art than they would otherwise.
3-Improves analytical skills-
Van Gogh painted in the Post-Impressionist style, a style that uses bright, vivid colors, thick strokes, and a lack of realistic detail to create an overall impression on the viewer. No one knows exactly why this style increases analytical performance, but cognitive scientists have done a fair amount of research on the subject. An experiment conducted by cognitive scientists found that people who look at a painting in the Post-Impressionist style are better able to focus on small details, which can help them process information more effectively.
4-Prioritizes the importance of aesthetics over everything else-
Certain types of art can be more effective in moving people to act than other art forms. A study was done in which participants were asked to look at either a Van Gogh or Rembrandt painting and then complete a problem-solving task on either art appreciation or engineering. Those who looked at Rembrandt chose the complex math problem over the easier engineering one, whereas people who looked at Van Gogh chose the engineering puzzle.
5-Enhances memory for visual images -
When we are exposed to abstract art, our brains automatically try to find meaning in what we're seeing. This is the same reason why when you look at a statue or painting, you almost feel like you are looking at a real person. It's your brain's way of trying to make sense of the images in front of you. This study found that people who engaged in this kind of thinking performed better on abstract-related tests than those who didn't.
6-Builds up the brain's visual cortex-
One study found that after repeated viewing of a Van Gogh painting, more neurons were developed in participants' visual cortex who viewed it every day for only two weeks. This shows how art can influence one's mental and physical health, making both brain hemispheres stronger by building new connections and strengthening existing ones.
7-Improves problem-solving skills-
People engaged in the art are also better at identifying solutions to problems. This is because art takes a lot of practice and experimentation, allowing the brain to develop new problem-solving and creativity skills. Those who are artistically inclined tend to be more open-minded than those who aren't, which helps them find unique solutions when facing challenges.
8-Enhances one's ability to see things from different perspectives-
Art is all about finding new ways to look at things and expand on existing ideas. This exposes people to a completely different way of thinking that expands their creativity and allows them to think in new ways. The ability to see things from a different perspective can improve cognitive functioning overall, and this holds for people who are in art classes or have just started drawing.
9-Increases awareness of how our senses work together-
When we view a painting, we don't only see it. We also hear it. We smell it. And we feel it through touch and taste. Art as a whole is about understanding how our senses work together, which has been shown to improve collaborative thinking skills and problem-solving skills.
10-Enhances the brain's ability to integrate information –
The brain integrates different pieces of information to improve our motor and learning skills (especially with working memory). Art is all about combining other pieces of information in new ways. This can also be applied to understanding how the brain works and how other cognitive skills work together.
Artists are more creative than the rest of society, which makes sense because art allows them to see things differently, interpret old ideas in new ways and express thoughts that others would never think of. This will improve one's creative thinking ability overall.
Art and Neuroscience-
Artists are thought to be more in tune with their emotions and the way they experience them, making them more empathetic and understanding of others. Some of the ways that art relates to neuroscience are how people will be drawn to specific works of art. People may have particular likes or dislikes when viewing art; this type of neuroplasticity occurs in response to stimuli. With enough exposure, the brain will begin responding differently and responding more strongly (neuroplasticity).
Memories are also processed in different parts of the brain, involving emotion being processed in the limbic system. If people are more prone to experiencing solid emotions when viewing art, they will have stronger memories of the experience.
Art also helps us deal with stress in a healthier way than others. When we have strong emotions, we tend to respond more strongly to things that surround those emotions instead of being rational and understanding why we feel that way. This can lead to some problems in life, but art can help the process by giving people a mechanism for dealing with these emotions (such as art therapy or mindfulness).
The way that art touches our emotions is why we can better understand ourselves and others. As humans, we're continually evolving-both physically and socially. Art allows us to express things that may have been impossible to do in the past and helps us deal with challenges we encounter today.
Conclusion: Art is not just for the elite. It is for all of us. We may not have the same level of skill that an artist does, but we can still use art to improve our recognition of detail and enhance our memory capabilities. Art can also better understand how the brain works by looking at different designs and perspectives. The more we learn about art and the human brain, the more we can help ourselves and those around us by using the many benefits of art in our daily lives.
