Title |
What does the brain tell us about abstract art?
|
---|---|
Published in |
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, January 2014
|
DOI | 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00085 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Vered Aviv |
Abstract |
In this essay I focus on the question of why we are attracted to abstract art (perhaps more accurately, non-representational or object-free art). After elaborating on the processing of visual art in general and abstract art in particular, I discuss recent data from neuroscience and behavioral studies related to abstract art. I conclude with several speculations concerning our apparent appeal to this particular type of art. In particular, I claim that abstract art frees our brain from the dominance of reality, enabling it to flow within its inner states, create new emotional and cognitive associations, and activate brain-states that are otherwise harder to access. This process is apparently rewarding as it enables the exploration of yet undiscovered inner territories of the viewer's brain. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 15 | 30% |
United Kingdom | 5 | 10% |
Canada | 4 | 8% |
Ireland | 3 | 6% |
Spain | 2 | 4% |
Comoros | 1 | 2% |
Russia | 1 | 2% |
France | 1 | 2% |
Panama | 1 | 2% |
Other | 1 | 2% |
Unknown | 16 | 32% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 41 | 82% |
Scientists | 7 | 14% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 1 | 2% |
Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 1 | 2% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 3 | 3% |
Japan | 1 | <1% |
United Kingdom | 1 | <1% |
Austria | 1 | <1% |
Unknown | 113 | 95% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Ph. D. Student | 23 | 19% |
Student > Master | 19 | 16% |
Researcher | 15 | 13% |
Student > Bachelor | 10 | 8% |
Professor | 6 | 5% |
Other | 21 | 18% |
Unknown | 25 | 21% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Psychology | 23 | 19% |
Neuroscience | 20 | 17% |
Arts and Humanities | 13 | 11% |
Social Sciences | 6 | 5% |
Computer Science | 5 | 4% |
Other | 23 | 19% |
Unknown | 29 | 24% |