The Intricacies of Art and Emotion: A Psychological Perspective
Recent discussions have brought into focus the relationship between art and emotion. The assertion that 'anything that strikes emotion is art' has been met with both support and criticism. This article delves into the complexities of these dialogues, particularly through the lens of psychological and neurological studies.
Valery’s Definition of Art
Paul Valery, a renowned Symbolist poet and contemporary of P.C. Cézanne, famously defined art as an object whose very essence is the continuous need for and reward of repeated viewing. This viewpoint emphasizes the durability and lasting impact of art over time.
Valery’s perspective, however, does not extend to every emotional response. While some objects or experiences are explicitly created to evoke emotions (such as certain pieces of art or music), not everything that arouses emotion can be considered art. In this context, a malfunctioning gas boiler on a cold day might fit the bill of stirring strong emotions, but it does not meet the criteria for being art.
The Psychological Study of Art and Emotion
Art historians like Alexander Nemerov have recently contributed to the understanding of how art and emotion interact. Previously, emotional and aesthetic reactions to art were seen as simple stimulus-response mechanisms. However, modern research in psychology and neuropsychology suggests a more nuanced and complex relationship.
New theories and experimental approaches have revealed that emotional and aesthetic responses to art engage distinct neural pathways. Brain regions associated with emotional processing and goal-setting are activated during the experience of viewing art, setting it apart from the standard object recognition process.
Neurological Underpinnings of Art Perception
Neuroscience has shown that the perception of art engages neurological processes that are different from typical object recognition. A recent study demonstrated that while the brain processes visual input to recognize objects, viewing art activates a range of regions involved in emotional response and goal-directed behavior.
This finding is particularly significant because it suggests that the emotional component of experiencing art is not merely a byproduct of visual recognition. Instead, it is an intrinsic part of how we engage with and interpret artistic works.
Controversy and Critique
The idea that any emotional reaction qualifies as a work of art is a matter of debate. Art, unlike some stimuli, is intentionally crafted to evoke specific emotional responses. While Pablo Picasso’s Guernica is a paradigmatic example of art designed to provoke strong emotions, the same cannot be said for a highly intellectualized painting like Willem de Kooning’s Broadway Boogie-Woogie.
It has been argued that this generalization is meaningless because it oversimplifies the relationship between art and emotion. The emotional response to art can be so varied and complex that no single statement can capture its essence accurately.
The insight from Paul Valery and the psychological studies like those by Alexander Nemerov highlight the depth and complexity of the relationship between art and emotion. Whether we consider certain objects art or not, the emotional journey of the viewer is an essential aspect of the art experience.
For those interested in delving deeper into these topics, resources like T.J. Clark’s book If These Apples Should Fall: Cezanne and the Present 2022 and the works of Alexander Nemerov provide valuable insights into the psychological and neurological aspects of art and emotion.