Beauty that’s more than skin deep: The cognitive benefits of observing art

Art has always been a way to for people to express and communicate their thoughts and emotions. But beyond the beauty and creativity that art offers, it can also significantly impact our cognitive abilities. Viewing art can stimulate our minds and improve our cognitive functions, providing numerous benefits.

Firstly, viewing art can enhance our perception skills. Art offers a unique perspective on the world, and looking at different types of artistic expression can train our eyes to see things differently. When we view art, we take in information about color, texture, shape, and space, and our brains work to make sense of it. This process helps improve our visual perception skills and can help us better appreciate the world around us.

Viewing art can boost our creativity. Looking at art can inspire new ideas and ways of thinking and encourage us to think more abstractly. Art challenges us to look beyond the surface and consider the deeper meanings and symbolism behind an artistic work. This type of thinking can help us generate new ideas and solutions to problems in our personal and professional lives.

Improved memory is another cognitive benefit of viewing art. Studies have shown that viewing art can increase blood flow to the brain, which can help improve memory retention. Additionally, viewing art can activate areas of the brain responsible for memory and emotional processing, further enhancing our ability to remember details and connect emotionally to the art.

Our emotions can benefit from viewing art. When we view art, we can experience a range of emotions, from happiness to sadness, awe to empathy. Understanding and processing our emotions can lead to improved mental health and overall well-being.

Finally, viewing art can improve our critical thinking skills. When we view art, we are forced to analyze and interpret the work, considering factors such as the artist’s intention, historical context, and social significance. This type of critical thinking can help us better understand complex ideas and concepts and improve our ability to analyze and evaluate information in other areas of our lives.

The cognitive benefits of observing art are numerous and significant. From enhancing perception and creativity to improving memory and emotional well-being, art can profoundly impact our cognitive abilities. So the next time you visit a museum or gallery, take the time to view the art with intention and attention, and you may be surprised at the cognitive benefits that follow.

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Meet the Creator

Monique Slaughter is a creator, visual artist and architect of the Jump Journal method. She created Jump Journal to address the inflexibilities she experienced with traditional journaling methods. 

Learn more about Monique. 

The Jump System

Jump Journaling is a system designed to integrate multiple creative competencies into the problem solving process.

 

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