The Intersection of Art and Physics: A Deep Dive into Aesthetic Experience and Cognitive Processes

Irmak Aytekin's avatar

written and conducted by

Irmak Aytekin

Find the edited audio of this interview below.

Art and physics may seem worlds apart, but as we begin to look at the ways in which the human brain processes visual stimuli, we find that these two disciplines are intertwined in fascinating ways. In this part of the interview, the conversation is about how we perceive art, categorize it, and how our cognitive resources—much like physics—can help explain our aesthetic experiences. It touches on the role of survival instincts, cognitive categorization, and even energy expenditure in how we perceive and appreciate both art and the world around us.

The Immediate Sense of Liking: From Survival to Art Appreciation

One of the key ideas discussed in this interview is the human brain’s ability to form an immediate sense of liking or disliking when encountering something new. This automatic response can be traced back to our survival instincts, which prompt quick decisions on whether to approach or avoid something or someone. As the interviewee notes, “That needs to be a fairly quick statement because sometimes you have to make these decisions in split seconds.” This fast categorization of stimuli helps humans navigate dangerous environments by quickly determining what poses a threat or what may be beneficial, such as a safe shelter or a nourishing food source.

While this process clearly has evolutionary roots, the way it manifests in our experience of art is equally compelling. When we walk into an art gallery or look at a painting, we have an almost instantaneous reaction to what we see. Although there is no immediate survival benefit in this case, the machinery of the brain responsible for survival responses is at play in our aesthetic judgments. This connection between survival and art appreciation suggests that our brains are constantly filtering stimuli through this “approach or avoid” lens, even in situations where there is no physical threat (Zeki, 1999).

Categorization: The Brain’s Fundamental Function

One of the most fascinating aspects of this discussion is the role of categorization in both survival and art perception. Categorization, which the interviewee describes as “one of the most important brain functions in vision,” allows humans to make sense of the world without needing to reinvent the wheel with each new experience. For example, when you see a bottle for the first time, your brain quickly identifies it as a bottle, and you instantly know how to behave toward it based on past encounters with similar objects.

Categorization helps reduce the cognitive load, making the world easier to navigate. It also plays a significant role in how we appreciate art. The interviewee explains that people tend to like average, prototypical objects, such as an “average face” or “average chair,” because they are easier to represent in the brain. This ease of representation translates into a sense of comfort and enjoyment, leading to a positive aesthetic experience. In essence, the brain rewards us for successfully categorizing stimuli by releasing positive reinforcement signals (Koch, 2004).

The Complexity Curve: A Balancing Act of Stimuli

One of the most illuminating parts of the discussion, at least for me, is the introduction of the complexity curve, a concept originally proposed by Wilhelm Wundt over 150 years ago. The complexity curve describes the relationship between the level of stimulation (in this case, complexity) and our enjoyment of that stimulus. As the interviewee explains, the curve follows an inverted U-shape. If something is too simple, we find it boring. As complexity increases, our interest and enjoyment rise until a certain point—after which the stimulus becomes overwhelming, leading to exhaustion and a decline in enjoyment.

This concept can be directly applied to art. When a piece of art is too simple, it may not engage us fully, but if it becomes too complex, it requires too much cognitive effort to process, leading to a sense of overwhelm or frustration. The sweet spot lies in a balance between simplicity and complexity, where the viewer is engaged but not exhausted. This balance, however, is not fixed—it varies depending on the individual’s expertise, cognitive resources, and even their level of exhaustion (Hekkert & Leder, 2008). For example, an art expert may find more enjoyment in complex works because their brain has been trained to process higher levels of visual stimulation.

Expertise and Aesthetic Experience: The Shift in Perception

The role of expertise in shaping aesthetic experience is another key insight from the interview. The more knowledgeable someone is in a given field, the more complex stimuli they can enjoy. For example, trained architects are more likely to appreciate asymmetry and complexity in architectural designs than laypeople, who may prefer simpler, more symmetrical structures. This shift in aesthetic preference is a direct result of the brain’s ability to process more information with less cognitive effort as expertise grows (Leder et al., 2004).

Similarly, in the context of art, experts are better able to appreciate abstract art, which may confuse or frustrate the average viewer. The interviewee points out that people tend to prefer figurative art over abstract art because it is easier to categorize. However, when viewers are provided with a title or description of an abstract piece, they are more likely to enjoy it because they can fit it into a familiar category, thus reducing cognitive load. This phenomenon highlights the importance of context and knowledge in shaping our aesthetic experiences (Augustin, 2015).

Energy Efficiency in the Brain: Why We Like What We Like

One of the most intriguing points raised in the interview is the connection between aesthetic preference and energy expenditure in the brain. According to the interviewee, “The more people like an image, the less energy the brain expends in representing it.” This idea suggests that we are naturally drawn to things that are easier for our brains to process because they require less cognitive effort. This principle applies not only to art but also to other aspects of our daily lives. For example, the interviewee discusses the “mere exposure effect,” where repeated exposure to a stimulus leads to increased liking. This is the basis of much of modern advertising, as simply seeing a product multiple times makes us more likely to buy it, even if we don’t particularly like it at first (Zajonc, 1968).

In the realm of art, this energy efficiency could explain why we tend to like familiar, prototypical images and objects. They are easier for our brains to categorize and represent, requiring less cognitive effort. On the flip side, more complex or unfamiliar stimuli require more mental energy to process, which can lead to exhaustion if the complexity becomes overwhelming.

The Evolution of Art: Simplicity in a Complex World

The discussion also touches on the evolution of art and how it reflects changes in society. As the interviewee notes, “art is getting simpler,” particularly in the contemporary art world. This shift toward simplicity could be a reflection of our increasingly complex and mentally exhausting lives. In today’s world, where most jobs require high levels of cognitive effort, people may gravitate toward simpler forms of art because they provide a sense of relief from the constant mental stimulation of daily life.

This stands in stark contrast to the detailed, intricate art of 200 years ago, when most people led physically demanding but mentally unstimulating lives. Back then, art provided much-needed intellectual stimulation. Today, with our minds constantly working, we may find solace in simpler, more abstract forms of art that allow us to “switch off” and relax (Krauss, 1990).

Conclusion: The Art of Physics and the Physics of Art

In this interview, we see how deeply intertwined art and physics are, particularly when it comes to understanding how the brain processes visual stimuli. From survival instincts to categorization, energy efficiency, and expertise, our aesthetic experiences are shaped by the same cognitive processes that help us navigate the world. As we continue to explore the intersection of art and science, we gain a deeper appreciation for the ways in which these seemingly disparate fields converge to shape our understanding of beauty, complexity, and human experience.

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