We find meaning in the context of our times and our environment. Our culture defines us and in turn our art helps define that culture. Art is a value system that helps our society to evolve.
I call my present body of work Neuroart. It is a coined term to represent the visual processing of stimuli. This processing system is a precursor of perception. Understanding it is important if we want to control and determine our art. The only constant baseline understanding is the way our brain works. I believe visual neuroscience gives a new dimension to art. It requires a rethinking of traditional principles of visual art in the light of new understanding of the brain. I am exploring these beliefs in my work.
We are unraveling the mysteries of how the brain works - mirror neurons, creative sectors in the frontal cortex, pruning, and growing new neurons when confronted with new or novel stimuli thus creating neural networks. It is an unbelievably complex system. I presently confine my investigations to the visual stimulus processing systems
Art has evolved and continues to evolve. New media has added to the expanse of the creative cycle. Art the object has become art the process. There is a gestalt amongst artists around the world called the internet. I think a web site mirroring the actual art exhibit is a new standard.
The illusion of reality and the reality of illusion. I separate illusionist realism, that is the two dimensional representation of three dimensional space in the picture plane; from the reality of two dimensional color, texture, form and shape that “sit on the surface” of the canvas; which has its own dynamic language.
From my biography you will see that I diverted from my fine art goals to be able to earn a living and raise a family. I also involved myself in community and public service. I also chose the opportunity to serve a number of New England communities as an organization manager of Chambers of Commerce for 22 years.
I am trying to find my way back to the continuity of art history. It involved searching the basic origins of art. I also retraced the steps that led from modernism to post-modernism. This involved returning to school and to restudy art history, aesthetics, and learning theory - in the light of my beliefs about neuroart
My goal is to find evolutionary justifications for the art of the past and a new paradigm for the art of the future. I am confused by much post-modernism. Questions of what is and is not art, are current. Is it art or an artifact? In the post-modern art world anything becomes art just by the statement “It is art”. That becomes a craftsmanship and quality situation for the professional artist.
Just as the age of scientific discovery dispelled myths about magic, our present scientist are discovering the underlying principles of neuroaesthetics about art.