Art+theBrain                                                                       

Course Description

This studio art course is designed to explore interactions and reflections between the science of the brain (neuropsychology and neuroscience) and the creative arts.  We investigate topics that bridge these disciplines such as memory, perception, neurodiversity and identity. This is an opportunity for students to create work that explores or reflects on brain and behavior research.  Emphasis is placed on challenging students to develop a personal vision to individual creative expression.  Themes in the course are reinforced by guests from the neuroscience and arts communities as well as readings, media presentations and fieldwork.  Students may work in any creative media including printmaking, photography, poetry, painting, sculpture, performance, digital and time-based media.
 

Learning Outcomes

In this course students:

  • Explore concepts in neuroscience, specifically in the area of memory, perception, neurodiversity and identity.

  • Use the brain/neuroscience as a muse and inspiration for creative works.

  • Integrate research to inform and inspire their art making practice.

  • Demonstrate fundamentals of the art making process: ideation, concept development, problem solving and intuitive exploration.

  • Effectively communicate concepts in visual, written and oral forms.

  • Display creativity, curiosity and cohesiveness in the development and realization of creative works.

  • Expand both their scientific literacy and artistic literacy.


This course includes media presentations, guest speakers, reading/writing assignments and studio time to work on projects.

Text

There is no required text for this class.

Referenced books – On reserve at SBU Frank Melville Jr. Memorial Library (second floor).
     Cajal’s Butterflies of the Soul by Javier DeFelipe
     Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin
     The Man who Mistook his wife for a Hat + other books by Oliver Sacks
     The Man Who Wasn’t There by Anil Ananthaswamy
      Portraits of the Mind by Carl Schoonover
      Far from the Tree by Andrew Solomon


Projects

1- Memory

2- Different, not less (neurodiversity)

3- Brain Zzzzz’s  (sleep/dream)

4- Self-Defined Project + 100 word personal essay

Reflections

In addition to projects, there are several written and visual reflections due.  These are typically related to guest speakers or field trips.


Guest Presenters and Collaborators
We are extremely grateful for the generosity, support, and enthusiasm of the neuroscience community to participate in the course.
During the pandemic, Art+theBrain was online which enabled faculty from outside of SBU to join our class.

Elissa Aminoff, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Fordham University
What can the brain teach us about memory. (2021)

Marlene Behrmann, Professor of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University
Prosopagnosia, wearing my brain + other textile wonders: a panoply (2020)

Amanda Russo, Ph.D. student, Integrative Neuroscience, SBU
An Introduction to the Neural Mechanisms Underlying Memory (2019,2020)

Hoi-Chung Leung, Professor, Integrative Neuroscience, SBU
‘Seeing’ from the brain and FIELD TRIP to Brain Imaging Lab (2019, 2020, 2022)

Brenda Anderson, Professor, Integrative Neuroscience
Art and Neuroscience (2019, 2020, 2021)

Arianna Maffei, Associate Professor, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior
Taste in the Brain (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)

John Pollock, Professor, Biological Sciences, Duquesne University
Vision, Sleep, Dreams, and Why Stories Matter (2021, 2022)

Alice Powers, Research Professor, Integrative Neuroscience
Turtle Neurogenesis + Human Brains (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)

Elsa Limbach, Choreographer, Dancer (2020, 2021, 2022), Pittsburgh, PA
Body + Mind-Brain Workshop

Lauren Richmond, Assistant Professor, Cognitive Neuroscience, SBU
Memory and Aging (2022)

David Hsu, Assistant Professor, Dept of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
SBU School of Medicine, Dept of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Connecting with Others – A view from the brain – (2019)