1. In the video entitled "CARTA: Evolutionary Origins of Art and Aesthetics: Neurobiology, Neurology and Art and Aesthetics" (located at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0TKYxAYGGA), neurobiologist Jean-Pierre Changeux discusses how he believes art has evolved because the human brain has evolved (it has gotten bigger over time). Artistic ability improves over the course of one's life, since a human’s brain develops and matures. In discussing what art is, he points out that art is non-verbal communication. It is someone’s work. It uses symbolic forms. Art is governed by certain rules that have “esthetic efficacy.” The style of an artist reveals the scope of his knowledge. Without novelty, one governing rule for art, the prefrontal cortex is not as activated as it is when something new is viewed. Another rule is symmetry. An artist shares his understandings of the world through art. Changeux also argues that art can lead to greater empathy.
In this video, neurologist Vilayanur Ramachandran explains that, because of the way the brain processes visual art, the goal of art is to activate the brain so that the viewer is excited by what he sees. Vision is a very complex process. He believes that without this complexity art could not be appreciated. He has identified eight principles that he believes characterize most great works of art. These principles exist because of the way the brain processes visual art.
In the video, "Aesthetics: Philosophy of the Arts," (http://digital.films.com/play/M27YLB) the history of art philosophy is presented. This philosophy was shaped by prominent figures such as Plato and Aristotle. This video touches on the problem of understanding what works should be considered art (for example, poetry, Greek tragedies, and works of fiction) and what can be considered beautiful. Georg Wilhelm Hegel, a philosopher from the 19th century, believed that there were three eras that art has moved through. These are the Eastern/symbolic era, the classical, and the romantic. The video also covered the fact that in the 20th century many artists ventured away from traditional constraints and conventions for art and began experimenting with new methods for creating art and new ideas of what art is. Some of the more modern forms of art are dotism, cubism, surrealism, and pop art. Arthur Danto, Prof. Emeritus of Philosophy at Columbia University, expresses that if one truly appreciates a work of art he will incorporate it into his life such that his life will be different because of its existence.
In her article, "What the brain draws from: Art and neuroscience," (https://bscangel.sln.suny.edu/section/default.asp?id=201320%2DAED200%2D1193) Elizabeth Landau demonstrates that art can trick the mind. What is perceived by the eyes is not always what is the reality of the piece of art. Artists can use knowledge of the brain to create works that are more attention-getting, interesting, and appealing. The article introduces readers to the field of neuroesthetics, which considers how the functions of the brain may dictate why certain visual artworks are considered beautiful and astounding.
2. According to the video "Aesthetics: Philosophy of the Arts," Aristotle, in the 4th century B.C. recognized that order, symmetry, and definiteness are elements that make art, specifically tragedies (which are types of performances), beautiful. He identified some principles that govern aesthetics. Now we understand that certain principles that make art pleasing are linked to the way the brain processes visual information. Also, he believed that emotional pleasure derived from the viewing of art was good.
3. Understanding the science of the brain's processing of visual art can only improve the skill of artists and the enjoyment and benefits of art. It was interesting to learn from Jean-Pierre Changeux that novelty is truly important in art, because the prefrontal cortex is not excited as much by repeated images as it is by new ones. I am intrigued by the "peak shift" principle identified by Vilayanur Ramachandran, which is that the brain is more excited by exaggerated images than logical, "normal" ones.
4. The video, "Aesthetics: Philosophy of the Arts," and the text, "Living with Art," by Mark Getlein grapples with the question of what should be considered art. The video includes more information about how this question has been answered through the ages. Another topic in the text that is expounded upon in some of these sources is what constitutes beauty.
5. From the article and the "CARTA" video I learned about neuroscience in regard to the viewing of visual art. Art should be composed with these scientific principles in mind. The video, "Aesthetics: Philosophy of the Arts," provided a fuller account of the history of the philosophy of art than the text. All three resources were beneficial in expanding my knowledge of art.
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