Neuro-Science and Art

    Professor Vesna Began lecture 1 of this week questioned the idea of consciousness and the mind-body connection. Consciousness can be described as a state of awareness. Yet, researchers are left with minimal information about how and what consciousness truly is. From the beginning of research regarding the brain, neurologists have struggled to truly define consciousness and the complexity of the brain. 

Art pieces show the beauty and complexity of the brain.

    Artist/Scientist, Santiago Ramon y Cajal was one of the first to simplify the complexity of the brain by literally creating a picture. 

Santiago Ramon y Cajal piece.

    It’s also really interesting to think about the concept of consciousness when thinking of the developments in artificial intelligence. It made me wonder that tow that machines are able to “think” for themselves, when can they be fully conscious? And if they are conscious do they need to be treated as if they’re human? The definition of consciousness can vary, and I believe that for this reason, it is highly important for it to be defined. 

    Another concept I found to be really interesting this week was all of Suzanne Anker’s work. I thought that the butterfly project was really beautiful. But what attracted me the most was the sea sponges. It’s really interesting how organisms so simple and different can teach about the complex systems in the human body. I had no idea that humans and ancient sea animals shared so many genes. Not only is that interesting enough in itself but is also very beneficial to scientists and researchers who are looking for cures for cancer and other diseases. 

Sea Urchin that contains closely related genes to humans

Sources

“The Beautiful Brain: The Drawings of Santiago Ramón y Cajal.” Ackland Art Museum, 23 Apr. 2020, ackland.org/exhibition/beautiful-brain-drawings-santiago-ramon-y-cajal/.

Currin, Grant. “What Is Consciousness?” LiveScience, Purch, 26 July 2020, www.livescience.com/what-is-consciousness.html. 

Ink, Social. “The Beautiful Brain: The Drawings of Santiago Ramón y Cajal.” Grey Art Gallery, 23 Aug. 2018, greyartgallery.nyu.edu/exhibition/beautiful-brainthe-drawings-santiago-ramon-y-cajal/.

Lovgren, Stefan. “How Sea Urchin Genomes Are Similar to Humans’.” Animals, National Geographic, 3 May 2021, www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/sea-urchin-genome-human-similarities#:~:text=Sea%20urchins%20and%20humans%20have,amount%20in%20common%E2%80%94genetically%20speaking.&text=Scientists%20already%20knew%20that%20the,branch%20of%20the%20evolutionary%20tree.

Lovgren, Stefan. “How Sea Urchin Genomes Are Similar to Humans’.” Animals, National Geographic, 3 May 2021, www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/sea-urchin-genome-human-similarities#:~:text=Sea%20urchins%20and%20humans%20have,amount%20in%20common%E2%80%94genetically%20speaking.&text=Scientists%20already%20knew%20that%20the,branch%20of%20the%20evolutionary%20tree.

Seth, Anil. “Consciousness.” New Scientist, www.newscientist.com/definition/consciousness/.