Week 7 | Neurosci + Art
Neuroscience has always been a fascinating field for scientists and engineers. With neuroscience only starting in earnest from last century, humanity now has the ability to explore the brain and mind with advanced tools. The end goal of neuroscience is not merely understanding how the brain works but more importantly, finding ways to cure all kinds of diseases. Yet, on the path to these discoveries, scientists may make some wrong turns.
One example is the lobotomy, a form of psychosurgery consisting of cutting or scraping away most of the connections to and from the prefrontal cortex, the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the brain. It was claimed to be a nearly cure-all procedure for all mental and brain diseases, from bipolar disorder to anorexia and even a simple headache. It was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1949. Yet, it proved to be a disastrous surgery as the results of the operation can be fatal. Others end up behaving abnormally - hypomanic, dull, lifeless, unresponsive or even unable to take care of themselves.
Although today the science community has abandoned lobotomy and moved on to other treatments, artists have not and continue to create works related to it. Several short movies and films have been produced based on this topic such as Shutter Island and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Another example that could connect neuroscience with art is the artist Kim Nobel, a Dissociative Identity Disorder patient. She contains 20 various personalities and fortunately, 14 of them have become artists. What is more remarkable is that each personality has their own thoughts distinctive style. For example, Abi's artwork is much brighter and clearer, Anon's is mainly black and white while Key's is neither.
[1] Tartakovsky, Margarita. "The Surprising History of the Lobotomy." World of Psychology. PsychCentral.com, 21 Mar. 2011. Web. 22 May 2017. <https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2011/03/21/the-surprising-history-of-the-lobotomy/>.
[2] Lewis, Tanya. "Lobotomy: Definition, Procedure & History." LiveScience. Purch, 28 Aug. 2014. Web. 22 May 2017. <http://www.livescience.com/42199-lobotomy-definition.html>.
[3] Hess, Walter, and Egas Moniz. "The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1949." Nobelprize.org. Web. 22 May 2017. <https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1949/>
[4] Mitchison, Amanda. "Kim Noble: The woman with 100 personalities." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 30 Sept. 2011. Web. 22 May 2017. <https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/sep/30/kim-noble-woman-with-100-personalities>.
[5] Nobel, Kim. "Kim Noble ." Kim Noble. Web. 22 May 2017. <http://www.kimnoble.com/>.
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| Lobotomy Diagram (Tartakovsky) |
One example is the lobotomy, a form of psychosurgery consisting of cutting or scraping away most of the connections to and from the prefrontal cortex, the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the brain. It was claimed to be a nearly cure-all procedure for all mental and brain diseases, from bipolar disorder to anorexia and even a simple headache. It was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1949. Yet, it proved to be a disastrous surgery as the results of the operation can be fatal. Others end up behaving abnormally - hypomanic, dull, lifeless, unresponsive or even unable to take care of themselves.
Although today the science community has abandoned lobotomy and moved on to other treatments, artists have not and continue to create works related to it. Several short movies and films have been produced based on this topic such as Shutter Island and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
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| Homeless with best friend by Abi (Nobel) |
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| E Tuned by Anon (Nobel) |
Another example that could connect neuroscience with art is the artist Kim Nobel, a Dissociative Identity Disorder patient. She contains 20 various personalities and fortunately, 14 of them have become artists. What is more remarkable is that each personality has their own thoughts distinctive style. For example, Abi's artwork is much brighter and clearer, Anon's is mainly black and white while Key's is neither.
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| It Happens by Key (Nobel) |
[1] Tartakovsky, Margarita. "The Surprising History of the Lobotomy." World of Psychology. PsychCentral.com, 21 Mar. 2011. Web. 22 May 2017. <https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2011/03/21/the-surprising-history-of-the-lobotomy/>.
[2] Lewis, Tanya. "Lobotomy: Definition, Procedure & History." LiveScience. Purch, 28 Aug. 2014. Web. 22 May 2017. <http://www.livescience.com/42199-lobotomy-definition.html>.
[3] Hess, Walter, and Egas Moniz. "The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1949." Nobelprize.org. Web. 22 May 2017. <https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1949/>
[4] Mitchison, Amanda. "Kim Noble: The woman with 100 personalities." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 30 Sept. 2011. Web. 22 May 2017. <https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/sep/30/kim-noble-woman-with-100-personalities>.
[5] Nobel, Kim. "Kim Noble ." Kim Noble. Web. 22 May 2017. <http://www.kimnoble.com/>.
I agree that the combination of neuroscience and art has just begun. I also explained how in the 1950's, neuroscience and drugs were used to help individuals with psychological problems like depression or schizophrenia. Your research and the lobotomy technique is very interesting and thorough! Maybe ill watch those suggested movies and check it out! Nice blog!
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