The Science Behind Art
How Admiring Art Boosts Emotional Regulation, Creative Thinking, and Wonderment
I’m an Author & Somatic Movement Educator helping clients going through chronic stress, anxiety, burnout, and trauma to "rewire their brain" for better emotional health through movement.
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Michel Blazy’s cumuli-conjuring Bouquet Final
I went into a studio last week to record the US version of my book. It only took an hour as there were just a few changes, vacation instead of holiday and dollars instead of pounds in reference to statistics.
After I was done, I had an overwhelming desire to go see Art. I needed something else to think about. I decided not to see anything figurative but wanted the challenge of abstract art. When Forms Come Alive; Beyond Form: Lines of Abstraction 1950-70 at the Hayward Gallery.
It was the tonic that I needed.
My brain was tickled by French artist Michel Blazy’s exploration of the shapes that extruding foam makes. The foam sculpture changes over time, weighted by gravity and evaporation ( see above).
Studio Drift
I was mesmerised by the dance of the parachutes from the sky by Dutch duo Studio Drift, reminding me not only of jelly fish or dancing tutus, but also the diaphragm as it lengthens and contracts when you breath. I got lost in my head standing underneath it for a while.
The organic soft tubing that looked like intestines invited touch, but you are not allowed to feel it.
I loved the craft of this exhibition and the softness of the abstractness, which often is hard and unforgiving.
When I go to experience Art, I have a whole body sense of it. When I am encouraged think about something outside of my immediate experience, I feel myself pulling out of my emotional shape. A friend of mine confesses to not “getting” art at all. He often exclaims, but what is it trying to say? Or what is the point of it? In a world where we value consumerism and money over everything else, that is exactly the point of Art.
To make you think. To make you ponder. To engage in ideas and somebody’s interpretation of the world. It engages your curiosity in the world. It lasts a little longer than the shopper’s high and takes you out of the grind of making a living.
When you are just surviving you have no space for wonderment. When you are in hustle mode, finding moments of tranquillity and inspiration is vital for your emotional well-being.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, scientific research has unveiled the profound impact that appreciating art can have on our emotional regulation, creative thinking, and capacity for wonderment.
Pumping by Eva Fàbregas. Photo Pippa Brooks
Emotional Regulation
Research published in the journal "Frontiers in Human Neuroscience" suggests that gazing at artwork can evoke powerful emotional responses, helping us navigate and regulate our feelings. When we immerse ourselves in art, whether it's a serene landscape or an abstract masterpiece, our brains undergo a fascinating transformation. Neuroimaging studies have shown increased activity in areas associated with emotion processing and self-reflection in the front part of the brain, such as the anterior cingulate cortex and the medial prefrontal cortex.
Art serves as a mirror to our inner world, allowing us to explore and understand our emotions more deeply. By contemplating the colours, shapes, textures, and themes within a piece, we can tap into our own reservoir of feelings and gain valuable insights into our emotional landscape. This process of introspection not only promotes self-awareness but also fosters a sense of emotional balance and resilience.
Unlocking Creativity
Art has long been hailed as a catalyst for creativity, and scientific inquiry corroborates this notion. A study published in the "Journal of Experimental Psychology" found that exposure to visual art enhances divergent thinking—the ability to generate multiple solutions to a problem. When we engage with art, our minds are liberated from conventional thought patterns, allowing us to explore novel ideas and perspectives.
The act of interpreting art requires us to exercise our imaginative faculties, sparking a cascade of creative associations and insights. As we contemplate the symbolism and narratives woven into a painting or sculpture, we are prompted to think flexibly and construct meaning from ambiguity. This process not only enriches our creative endeavors but also cultivates a mindset of curiosity and exploration that extends beyond the realm of art.
Untitled (Mylar) by Tara Donovan
Cultivating Wonderment: A Journey of Discovery
Recent studies have also highlighted the role of art in eliciting wonderment—a profound sense of awe, curiosity, and reverence for the world around us. Research suggests that exposure to awe-inspiring stimuli, such as breathtaking landscapes or awe-inspiring artwork, can foster feelings of wonder and transcendence. These experiences not only broaden our perspective but also imbue us with a sense of humility and interconnectedness.
Cultivating wonderment through art can fuel our thirst for knowledge and discovery, inspiring us to explore new horizons and push the boundaries of our understanding.
I like to walk around first, and only when my brain has had time to contemplate the piece, do I go and read the labels.
If you go to see this exhibition, let me know what you think.
The next Soothe Day Retreats in a NEW venue in Mayfair, is on 18th May. Enjoy a whole day of unravelling tension and unwinding your busy mind.
What the day includes:
Two workshops, five hours of expert teaching including:
- Morning and afternoon workshops, with five hours of expert teaching. You'll enjoy over
- Energy shifting practise in the morning to lengthen, strengthen, and mobilise
- De-stressing practise in the afternoon to unravel, unwind and re-organise.
- Gourmet vegetarian lunch, tea and cake in the afternoon to stimulate your tastebuds and deeply nourish.
You will learn how to:
find comfort when you need it
self-regulate your emotions
practice powerful strategies to reset your nervous system
move with ease
Build resilience for tough times.
£235 Book now
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Thank you for reading,
Stay human,
Nahid x