iThink
Why do we enjoy art?
WHY DO WE ENJOY ART? ETHAN SUN (THIRD FORM) Art is an extremely sophisticated form of expression for the human mind. Anything can be considered art, including dots and random strokes. Humans love art because they have an inquisitive nature and are inclined to delight in it. What is it about shapes, colours, and patterns that still give us pleasure thousands of years later? Several studies have been conducted over the past few years to try to figure this out. Some people believe that, despite living in a world full of modern comforts, there is still a part of our brain that strongly responds to the essentials: water, food, sunlight, etc. Some pieces of art have been seen to take the form of water and maximize its blue colours in paintings. By looking at Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night, our brains may recognize the characteristics of water and resonate with the work positively. We rely on water to survive and seeing such an essential part of life on canvas makes us appreciate its beauty.
Likewise, we are drawn to the colour green. A German study concluded that creativity inspires motivation when infused with the colour green. This suggests that:
All good art engages a deeprooted obsession with needing to survive. Several other studies have strongly suggested that there is a significant connection between the 'golden ratio', or the 'golden rectangle', and superior creations. Golden ratios are used in many diverse types of construction, such as buildings, paintings, and sculptures. Those of these which employ the golden ratio tend to be more renowned and acknowledged throughout history than those who do not use them. Another study published in the journal Brain and Cognition from the University of Toronto found that the brain processes art in two ways. First, we see and process it visually. This involves thinking about how the piece works. The researchers found that, when we are shown a picture of a knife, our brains do not just see it as a shape, but also perceive how to use it.
17
2022
