Art Aesthetics and the Brain

Humans have engaged in artistic and aesthetic activities since the appearance of our species. Our ancestors have decorated their bodies tools and utensils for over 100000 years. The expression of meaning using color line sound rhythm or movement among other means constitutes a fundamental aspect of our species' biological and cultural heritage. Art and aesthetics therefore contribute to our species identity and distinguish it from its living and extinct relatives. <p/>Science is faced with the challenge of explaining the natural foundations of such a unique trait and the way cultural processes nurture it into magnificent expressions historically and ethnically unique. How does the human brain bring about these sorts of behaviors? What neural processes underlie the appreciation of painting music and dance? How does training modulate these processes? How are they impaired by brain lesions and neurodegenerative diseases? How did such neural underpinnings evolve? Are humans the only species capable of aesthetic appreciation or are other species endowed with the rudiments of this capacity? <p/>This volume brings together the work on such questions by leading experts in genetics psychology neuroimaging neuropsychology art history and philosophy. It sets the stage for a cognitive neuroscience of art and aesthetics understood in the broadest possible terms. With sections on visual art dance music neuropsychology and evolution the breadth of this volume's scope reflects the richness and variety of topics and methods currently used today by scientists to understand the way our brain endows us with the faculty to produce and appreciate art and aesthetics.<br>