Synopses & Reviews
Now in paperback, this groundbreaking study by Harvard neurobiologist Margaret Livingstone explores the inner workings of vision, demonstrating that how we see art depends ultimately on the cells in our eyes and our brains.
In Vision and Art, Livingstone explains how great painters fool the brain: why Mona Lisas smile seems so mysterious, Monets Poppy Field appears to sway in the breeze, Mondrians Broadway Boogie Woogie blinks like the lights of Times Square, and Warhols Electric Chair pulses with current.
Drawing on history and her own cutting- edge discoveries, Livingstone offers intriguing insights, from explanations of common optical illusions, to speculations on the correlation of learning disabilities with artistic skill. By skillfully bridging the space between science and art, Vision and Art will both arm artists and designers with new techniques that they can use in their own craft, and thrill any reader with an interest in the biology of human vision.
Synopsis
Artandrsquo;s impact can be both straightforward and unpredictable. It can hit us immediately or linger in the wings for a while, coming over us when we least expect it. Art can change minds or attitudes, provoke anger or shock, inspire laughter or tears. It can intimidate, disconcert, pose conundrums or puzzles, instruct, or enlighten. Every work of art offers a window on societyandrsquo;s values and ideals, and expresses the perceptions and memories of its artist. But art presents a daunting question: How do we evaluate, explore, and respond to it? Unpretentious and engaging as ever, art historian Susie Hodge offers clear, concise tools to interpret and respond to a broad variety of artwork and artistsandrsquo; philosophies. Perfect for the art lover who doesnandrsquo;t love art-world jargon, How to Look at Art paves the way for encounters with art that are enriching, creativity-fueling, and fun.
About the Author
Margaret Livingstone is professor of neurobiology at Harvard Medical School. She studies vision with a focus on how the eye and brain use color and luminance information, dyslexia and visual processing.