I’ve written many times about my art collection.  I’m sure there are pieces I have you’d want in your home or office, but others you would simply detest.  That’s the point about art- it’s an individual appreciation activity.

Oh, sure, part of our predilections are based upon our culture and our environment.  But, a great part of it is related to our genetic makeup.  It’s not just true for the visual arts- but music, as well.

Of course, that means there are researchers who are desperate to find out why that is true.  (Perhaps, their goal is to figure out how they can sell us certain things???)  But, really, this “science”, if that is what it turns out to be, is in its infancy. Neuroaesthetics is the name being applied to this branch of study.  But, it’s not clear to me that knowing which part of my brain is “lit up” when I find something that interests me will help you (or me) know why that is true.

Dr. Anjan Chatterjee (University of Pennsylvania) has written a book, The Aesthetic Brain, in which he described his concept that we enjoy beauty because it activates our brain’s reward system. (I’m not knocking it- that’s a darned good concept.) His thesis is that mathematics, learning, sex, food, and beauty (symmetry) are all linked to this portion of our brain.  But, the problem is that it still does not explain away our differences in preference for the visual or aural arts.

Dr. Arthur Shimamura (UC Berkeley), Aesthetic Science, has a slightly more “elevated” theory, I-SKE   The I denotes the intentions of the artist.  SKE are the responses that are induced within or by the beholder- sensations, knowledge, and emotions. As such, it’s not just our perception, but what we know about the artist, as well as our cultural references. (By the way, Shimamura is the recipient of a Guggenheim fellowship to further develop his theory.)

Shimamura finds that there is mutual benefits between art and science.  He includes Euclid’s work, as well as cubism.  Anyone who has studied- or even cursorily examined- Da Vinci’s art recognizes that he continually crossed from science to art- and back again.  Shinamura also recognizes our desire for symmetry (in faces, at the very least) as well as our predilection for the color blue over yellow or dark brown.

So, now you know some of the reasons I have doubts about the theories.  My favorite paintings are imbued with yellows and dark browns.  (I told you that you may not like my artwork!)

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