How Does Art Viewing Inspires Creativity?

Interaction between creation and appreciation: How linguistic art creation impacts the aesthetic evaluation of haiku poetry and ink paintings

In the psychology of aesthetics, compared with appreciation, there are fewer studies on art creation. This study aims to examine the influence of art creation on appreciation using haiku poetry with reference to the Mirror Model-a process model combining creation and appreciation. Although the model has been primarily used to examine visual arts, we examine its applicability to linguistic arts. In addition, we use ink painting to examine whether a generalisation across artistic genres can occur. The 115 participants were divided into two conditions-creation and control. The former created haiku before and after appreciation, while the latter did not create any haiku. The results showed no improvement in evaluation through creation. Additionally, recognising the difficulty related to creation leads to aesthetic evaluation, and this relationship is mediated by awe. These results expand the existing information regarding the Mirror Model in terms of the different art genres.

A brief online mindfulness induction improves creative art-making

OBJECTIVES

Prior research has suggested that mindfulness may enhance people's memory for art, although results have been mixed. Mindfulness may also be beneficial for some art-making tasks. Here we examine the effects of a short mindfulness (vs. control) induction administered online at different times in the procedure (i.e., pre-encoding vs. pre-retrieval) on viewing and making art.

METHODS

Adults (N = 303) viewed an art slideshow, completed an art-viewing testing task, and an art-making task (photography) after being exposed to a 5-min focused-attention mindfulness (vs. control) induction. Induction was presented either before or after the art slideshow (pre-encoding vs. pre-retrieval).

RESULTS

Participants who were randomly assigned to the mindfulness (vs. control) condition created photographs that were more creative, complex, abstract, expressive, and higher in emotional valence. Furthermore, participants who experienced an induction (regardless of mindfulness or control) at the pre-encoding (vs. pre-retrieval) stage were better at differentiating between old and new artworks at a later memory test.

CONCLUSIONS

Results show that mindfulness significantly enhances people's art, in this case their photographs. Findings also suggest that the mindfulness induction may not enhance participants' memory for art. Future studies will need to examine the effect of other types of mindfulness inductions (e.g., open-monitoring) on people's experience of viewing and making art.

Wonder symphony: epigenetics and the enchantment of the arts

Epigenetics, the study of heritable changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence, has gained significant attention due to its implications for gene regulation and chromatin stability. Epigenetic mechanisms play a fundamental role in gene-environment interactions, shaping individual development and adaptation. DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs are key epigenetic regulators. Epigenetic changes can be triggered by environmental factors, including stress, toxins, and social interactions, influencing health and well-being. Positive experiences, such as engagement with the arts, have been linked to emotional responses and neurotransmitter release. While the impacts of detrimental factors on epigenetics have been widely studied, the effects of positive influences are less explored. Specifically, visual art and music have profound effects on emotions, cognition, and mood regulation. Exposure to arts enhances memory, reduces stress, and fosters social inclusion. Recent research has begun to explore the links between positive experiences and epigenetic modifications, suggesting that aesthetic experiences, including visual art and music fruition, might induce dynamic and/or stable changes in gene expression profiles. However, this field is in its infancy, and more research is needed to establish clear connections. Collaborative efforts among genetics, epigenetics, neuroscience, psychology, and the arts are essential for a comprehensive understanding. Longitudinal studies tracking sustained exposure to positive experiences and examining the influence of childhood artistic education on the biological bases of therapeutic effects of art and music are promising avenues for future research. Ultimately, understanding how positive experiences influence epigenetics could provide insights into the long-term enhancement of human well-being.