The brain is the most intricate organ in the human body. It
houses everything that makes up our personality, speech, intellectual thought,
and life as we know it. The brain contains both our conscious and unconscious
thoughts and allows us to perform all tasks of daily living. The brain is a
fascinating subject area to both scientists and artists alike. Dr. Greg Dunn,
who has a PhD in neuroscience has been recognized both in the fields of science
and art through his stunning paintings of the human brain.
This picture shows the developing cerebral
cortex, at about week 15 of human gestation
This painting depicts the hippocampus of the brain
In an interview with Penn Medicine Magazine, Dunn stated
that he began to paint because the brains complexity became very overwhelming
to him and painting was a way to escape is whilst still learning about the
functions of the brain. Dr. Greg Dunn is a prime example of how the worlds of
art and neuroscience can be blended together uniformly.
Albert Hofmann’s discovery of LSD led to a genre of art
known as “Psychedelic Art” that came
about in the 1960s. Lysergic acid diethylamide, better known as LSD, is a
psychedelic drug that completely alters the cognitive and visual function of
the brain leading the unimaginable to become very realistic in the brain of an
LSD user. LSD creates unrealistic visual images on the closed or opened eyes of
the user. Wes Wilson is one of the most influential psychedelic artists of his
time. He is best known for inventing the “psychedelic font” which made letters
look like they were melting or moving. He
is known as the father of the rock concert poster and his trend became very
popular by the early 1970s. While altering brain function, LSD produces unusual
visuals that can be transformed into unique artistic images.
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| Wes Wilson Poster |
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| Wes Wilson Poster |
Overall, the worlds of neuroscience and art can be directly
linked.
Resources:
1. Dr. Greg Dunn: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2182992/Paintings-brain-neuroscientist-Greg-Dunn-inspired-Japanese-drawing-style-Sumi-e.html
3. Wes Wilson: http://www.wes-wilson.com/
4. How The Drugs of the 60’s Changed Art: http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/07/15/ken.johnson.psychedelic.art/
5. Albert Hofmann: http://www.psychedelic-library.org/child.htm
Hi Sarah, its interesting that you talk about LSD and its relationship to art. I especially enjoyed your discussion about Wilson's psychedelic font and rock concert posters. Music, as an art form, has been influenced by LSD ever since its discovery. For example, the Beatles openly discussed their use of LSD and its influence on their music. It is even speculated that their song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" is about the mind altering drug.
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