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Week 7 - Neuroscience + Art

This week we tackled the collaboration between neuroscience and art. As a psychobiology major, Ramon y Cajal is often mentioned in my psychology classes for the technique of staining cells. The idea of neuroscience and art allowed me to develop a better understanding of my presence and renders a reflective aura that makes me see my own life through a more artistic lens. 





 Consciousness is an idea prefaced by Dr. Vesna, and I believe the idea of brainbow, allowing us to see the neuron in the brain is a step towards "expanding our consciousness" (Vesna). To better the understanding of our body is one that can help us better our lifestyle. I believe this idea that machines might take over the world is similar to the whole issue with guns. It is up to us, based on policy and regulation on how involved we want machines to be for our society.

 Consciousness can be furthered evaluated through the idea of a "modern man". In the abstract text by Carl Jung, he states that a modern man values "material security, general welfare, and humanitarianism" (Jung 5). It makes sense and another psychological idea that backs this up is the Maslow's hierarchy of need, and it is the last step where one achieves "full potential, including creative activities" (McLeod). I believe it is important to address consciousness and psychological needs during the topic of neuroscience and the body because it is through understanding how our brain works where we can be more conscious of how we are wired and why we do what we do such as planning and even fear!
I liked thinking of our consciousness as a flow, but the liberal culture of neuroculture, with artists like Suzanne Anker and Dorothy Nelkin, revealed to me, a molecular gaze into my brain (Frazzeto 817). Now it is more one that is more like water dripping from a faucet, and it is up to us to turn on the faucet to let our brain fire and be us. 

Sources:
“Depathologizing Asperger's / Autism ~ It's a Normal and Healthy Neurological Orientation.” The Silent Wave, 13 Oct. 2017, thesilentwaveblog.wordpress.com/2016/11/13/depathologizing-aspergers-autism-its-a-normal-and-healthy-neurological-orientation/.

Frazzetto, Giovanni, and Suzanne Anker. "Neuroculture." Nature Reviews Neuroscience 10.11 (2009): 815-820.

“Guest View: Want to Crush Your Organization Strategy? Study up on Neuroscience.” SD Times, 5 Jan. 2018, sdtimes.com/brain/guest-view-want-to-crush-your-organization-strategy-study-up-on-neuroscience/.

Jung, Carl Gustav. "The spiritual problem of modern man." Collected works 10 (1928): 1-11.

McLeod, Saul. “Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.” Simply Psychology, Simply Psychology, www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html.

Nelkin, Dorothy, and M. Susan Lindee. The DNA mystique: The gene as a cultural icon. University of Michigan Press, 2010.

Vesna, Victoria. “Neuroscience-pt2.mov” Neuroscience + Art. Desma 9, 16 May. 2018, Los Angeles, University of California, Los Angeles, https://www.youtube.com/watch?TFv4owX3MZ

Zai, Rebecca. “Neuroaesthetic by Rebecca Zai.” Fine Art America, fineartamerica.com/featured/neuroaesthetic-rebecca-zai.html.

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