The author of a popular series on the Copernicus YouTube channel explains how exaggerated proportions, distortions or strong contrasts \u2013 i.e. so-called \u2018superstimuli\u2019 \u2013 affect our brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of my favorite paintings is Edward Hopper\u2019s \u2018Nighthawks\u2019. It depicts a melancholic scene taking place in a traditional American restaurant. I wonder what happens in my brain when I stand at the Art Institute in Chicago and look at this work.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Semir Zeki, a British neuroscientist and creator of neuroesthetics, claimed that it is possible to map areas in our brain which become stimulated under the influence of contact with art. He conducted a series of studies in which he recorded patterns of brain activity in people who admired images or listened to music. In the subjects, the same areas of the orbital cortex, prefrontal cortex and cingulate gyrus were activated. But does that mean we have found an area in the brain that is dedicated to experiencing beauty? That there are beauty neurons responsible for decoding art? We would like to have such simple answers, but unfortunately, such structures have not yet been detected. By analogy, we might expect to isolate areas in the brain responsible for the concepts we use every day, such as experiencing faith or a sense of justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It should also be remembered that what happens in the brain during contact with art is also greatly influenced by the context \u2013 meaning in turn the sum of differing factors \u2013 for example, we admire a specific painting in a unique environment, surrounded by other people, and we are affected by additional stimuli, such as music, strong light or twilight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, however, we know for certain that our brains react strongly to so-called <\/strong>superstimuli<\/em><\/strong>, that is \u2013 translating into the language of art \u2013 to exaggerated proportions, distortions or strong contrasts. In short, the further away from the art performing the function of mimesis, the better.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The term \u2018superstimuli\u2019 was introduced to neuroesthetics based on observations of the behavior and learning process of animals. Many experiments were carried out for this purpose. In one of the more famous studies, rats were tasked with distinguishing squares from rectangles. Although they were rewarded in the same way, they reacted faster and more strongly to exaggerated, narrower and higher versions of the figures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read also:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n