Cognition and the Visual Arts

An experienced and prolific writer, Robert Solso has a gift for simplifying sometimes difficult concepts in science. Here he brings a refreshing new approach to the psychology of art,synthesizing research from a vast collection of data on how humans perceive, process, and store information and applying it to the viewing and interpretation of art. In this first systematic study of the connection between the new cognitive psychology and its importance to art, Solso reflects on the long relationship between humankind and art, observing that "mind and art are one." A major theme of this book, in fact, is that the clearest view of the mind comes when we create or experience art, a reverse of the usual view of art and cognition. The illustrations cover a wide range of examples, including African, Asian, and prehistoric art, but focusing primarily on Western art. The treatment of cognition applies a blend of the standard information-processing model, brain function, and neural networks.Cognitive Psychology series

In this first systematic study of the connection between the new cognitive psychology and its importance to art, Solso reflects on the long relationship between humankind and art, observing that "mind and art are one."

Booknews

Explains recent ideas on the relationship between the visual arts and the study of the structures and processes of the mind. Topics include the brain and vision, figure and form perception, visual cognition, eye movement and perception, perspective, and memory. Concepts are illustrated with examples of art from Western painting, Asian and African art, and prehistoric art. Includes about 150 b&w line drawings and reproductions of classic works of art. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Robert L. Solso is Professor and Head of the Cognitive Laboratory at the University of Nevada, Reno.