Event 3

When we think of neuroscience, we often associate it with doctors, however, interestingly enough artists also utilize its potential to create extravagant projects. Particularly, the electroencephalogram (EEG) is used to scan brain waves for abnormalities, but in today's event Nina Sobell explained how she leveraged the utility of the EEG to create brainwave drawings. She has been working on brainwave drawings since 1972 because of her fascination with visualizing non-verbal communication. Though extremely unconventional at a glance, this work of art proves that a cohesive relationship exists between neuroscience and art.


Nina Sobell's Brainwave Drawings

The idea of communicating without words is profound and further reveals how complex and capable our brains are. Nina even took this a step further by creating the Brain Wave Drawing installation in 1992 in which two people were presented to be communicating with only brain waves and dissolving a physical image with only communication through their minds. Again, this demonstrates how closely intertwined neuroscience and art can be as this project pushes for both scientific and artistic discovery. 

Brain Wave Drawing Installation

What's even more fascinating is the creation of "Brain Chat" where 2 or more participants from different locations are capable of communicating with each other online simply through the transmission of brain waves. Users are able to express even complex emotions without verbal communication which demonstrates the application of brain waves in the real world. This opens up new possibilities for people to not only communicate in a different way but also allows for the examination of thoughts and emotions through the analysis of brain waves. 
Brain Chat


Sources:

Sobell, Nina. "About: Brain Wave Drawings," http://www.ninasobell.com/ninasobell/history_brainwavedrawings.html. 

“Electroencephalogram (EEG).” Johns Hopkins Medicine, 8 Aug. 2021, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/electroencephalogram-eeg. 

“My Colleagues' News.” BRAIN WAVE DRAWINGS BY NINA SOBELL - ADA | Archive of Digital Art, https://www.digitalartarchive.at/database/general/work/brainwave-drawings-1973-present-1.html.

Bates, Kristyn. “Brain-to-Brain Interfaces: The Science of Telepathy.” The Conversation, 19 May 2022, https://theconversation.com/brain-to-brain-interfaces-the-science-of-telepathy-37926. 

“A Deep Dive into Brainwaves: Brainwave Frequencies Explained.” Muse, 2 Mar. 2021, https://choosemuse.com/blog/a-deep-dive-into-brainwaves-brainwave-frequencies-explained-2/.  

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