Embodied Cognition
If you’ve been following the latest series of posts, you might notice that I have been writing a lot about the positive impact art has on both our neurological and emotional well being. It’s an area of research that has really intrigued me and a topic that I continually want to stay connected to. I’ll keep sharing my thoughts as I dig deeper into the subject.
Before diving into the art world a few years ago, I might have not mentioned art or the creative process as something that brought me joy, at least not consciously.Spending time with art, artists, and art stories changed this for me. I go to this place for inspiration and creative energy. It’s often hard to describe the feeling you get when you engage with art, but it has been proven to spark a positive feeling, much like that of looking at a loved one.
It’s amazing to read about the early stories of the masters and contemporary artists who intuitively knew the impact their art could have on people. The capacity they had to inspire was not lost on them; they did not need the science to prove it. They painted and created in such a way to continue inspiring and accepting the role of creator, but to also remind us of the creative ability we too possess. The science behind the process, however, should also be highlighted. We are often looking for the answers behind things, less apt to follow our intuition and rely on reasoning and science as justification or impetus to believe. To act. In many cases this is necessary as many of us are not experts. With art I find the science and the research helps substantiate and encourage people to look at art in a way that they might not have before. This experience compels newcomers into the space if not just for curiosity. What is the hype about anyway?
The hype is the realization that what we once thought was elusive (understanding art), is actually well within our grasp and a process that we are lucky to engage in daily. The universality of art comes back to the fact that we all, no matter who we are or where we are from, can be creative and be inspired by creativity.
Christopher Tyler, Director of the Smith-Kettlewell Brain Imaging Center conducted a study on how art can change consciousness. He says, “When you observe a profound piece of art you are potentially firing the same neurons as the artist did when they created it thus making new neural pathways and stimulating a state of inspiration. This sense of being drawn into a painting is called ‘embodied cognition.’*
I am reminded of something Australian artist named Dawn Csutoros said to us during our Art of Kindness exhibition:
“Essentially, the artworks are made intuitively, without an audience in mind. I try to be as clear as possible, somewhat like a vessel, so that the work flows through me. It is quite a moving and transcendent experience for me. To share this journey with the beholder is very satisfying. When the viewer is moved in any way, intellectually, emotionally, sensorially, spiritually, it results in a dialogue, some sort of communication between the piece and the viewer: this to me is a sign that the artwork is powerful and is, if you like, ‘successful.’ I find that the more personal the experience for me, the more it speaks to others. A reminder of our interconnection on deeper levels.”
This is really cool because it takes being inspired to a new level, one where we no longer have to worry about whether or not we have the capacity to be inspired or to be creative. Looking at art activates the entire brain and induces processes on the analytical and expressive side. And it happens to each one of us.
*https://www.naturalblaze.com/2019/09/how-art-changes-consciousness.html