Friday, August 31, 2012

The Power Of Art Is Far Reaching

By Crystal Salazar


The power of art has been enjoyed by people for centuries. Modern technology today is able to prove the extent to which art has power by measuring the pleasure it gives the viewer. Scientists know that when more blood flows to the pleasure area of the brain the viewer will feel happy. This happens when two people are in love but this also happens when the viewer enjoys a piece of artwork.

An MRI scan is done that measures the amount of blood flowing to the frontal area of the brain. This is where the pleasure area is located. When less blood is measured this is an indication that the viewer is not enjoying the art. Certain artists who like to depict disturbing themes will tend to have a smaller following since their work does not evoke pleasure for most viewers.

The results show that when the painting is disturbing and the viewer is repulsed by it there will be less blood flowing to the pleasurable areas of the brain. One must keep in mind that the results are subjective so that what one viewer will like the next viewer may not care for at all. It is important to make sure that there are a significant number of people tested so that the data will provide valid conclusions.

When we are exposed to fine art on a daily basis we tend to find our surroundings more enjoyable. All we have to do is take a look around and see how much more art is available for viewing in such places as doctors' and dentists' offices and hospitals. The visitor will have a more pleasurable experience when they are able to take in art while waiting for the doctor in the waiting room rather than staring at the bare walls.

Framed pictures are one kind of art but there is also the world of sculpture, video and light art that are used to enhance larger, outdoor areas. Multi-dimensional art reaches a broader public and helps to reduce the level of anxiety we in our modern societies must endure. Art serves as a distraction and temporarily helps us to forget the worries that we carry with us everyday.

Art is also used in helping patients with mental disorders to express what is bothering them. Children for instance, who have been subjected to trauma find that art therapy allows them to express what they are unable to express in words. This is a valid therapy that has proven to be very effective in helping patients to resolve high anxiety issues by way of personal artistic expression.

Companies too have understood the importance of having an in-house art collection. Often a catalog is printed where the art and its creators are featured. This has proven to be an effective way to recognize and support local artists. Employees and visitors alike have an opportunity to appreciate and enjoy the art each time they enter the building. They are also able to participate in auctions or draws where the winner becomes the happy owner of a coveted piece of artwork.

The power of art reaches beyond foreign cultures and languages. The viewer does not need to learn another language in order to appreciate the art they are looking at. It is important to expose the art to as many people as possible so that an appreciation for the work and the artist can take place. Only then can cultures develop a better understanding for the different points of view that exist in the eye of the artists.




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