These two pieces represent neural networks within the human mind… This past week, I have been reading about neurons and synapses in regards to human memory. Both pieces represent myself as a cell body. The encaustic is abstract and disorganized, as my current brain neurons are transmitting all over the place!!!. (or so I feel lately). I received news last week that I will yet again, for year my sixth year, continue to be a traveling art teacher.
The purple painting is on canvas board and is mixed media ( ink and acrylic). I was thinking about how our memories process, encode, and retrieve information. When I heard of this recent news, I feel like something inside me exploded. I used the artistic process as an expressive outlet to channel some of my anger… I had ideas but really no formalized plan when I created these works.
you (and others!) may find this book interesting and relevant: https://www.amazon.com/Echo-Objects-Cognitive-Work-Images/dp/0226770524
Barbara Maria Stafford is at the forefront of a growing movement that calls for the humanities to confront the brain’s material realities. In Echo Objects, she argues that humanists should seize upon the exciting neuroscientific discoveries that are illuminating the underpinnings of cultural objects. In turn, she contends, brain scientists could enrich their investigations of mental activity by incorporating phenomenological considerations—particularly the intricate ways that images focus intentional behavior and allow us to feel thought.
This is great Andrea! Thank you….this seems like a valuable resource that would be very beneficial to include within my research 🙂