The Blog

What is it about Art that makes us respond to it? And how can we use the influence of Art and the way it makes us feel as a positive motivational influence in the work place?…

Well, what do we know already? We know that our reading of art is based on what we feel we know of our reality. We read the familiar and process it into the possibilities. The familiar comes from our own personal experiences and those experiences are sculpted into our brains from our childhood. Our ability to be creative then stems from those two same points: imagination is only created through experience. With each individual viewer’s shaped perspective it allows them to cast judgement on what they see and its associated emotions help to distinguish the feeling of like or dislike.

The reasons for our reactions to visual creativity is still speculative, however, to look closer at how we respond to visual creativity and the psychological impact it can have on us, we must then look at how the brain works. Firstly, how are we able to process and elaborate on the images that we see? The right hemisphere of our brain focuses on what is happening at the present moment whilst the left hemisphere of the brain concentrates on stored information of the past to create the future. An image or idea of the future is created by combining the information from both the right and left hemisphere, creating a montage of the present images, with those of the past. If you use your left brain more you are likely to process information in a more linear form, processing sequentially, symbollicly and logically. If you are a person who uses their right brain more it means you process information with a more holistic approach, influenced by intuition, and working in a more random structure. As everyone is different, when confined to an office or desk space Art can be used as a tool to help stimulate the brain to think in a slightly differently way.

Visual art, with its different shapes and forms can have different effects of people, but with the human brain there are a lot of these shapes and forms that we still react the same to. There are 30 areas in the brain which are used to process colours, movements, shapes and forms. It is said that when we see shapes that have sharp, straight corners it makes us alert, weary as it is thought to create a feeling of danger. If we are to look at a painting with hard edges and bold colours it might makes us feel on edge or intimidated. If there was another painting which had more muted, dull and darker tones with curves and soft edging we may begin to feel more relaxed. The reactions we have to a painting can also be replicated in the architecture and the interior of a room. This is when visual art can really affect a space such as the work place. Colours, space and atmosphere can then have an effect of productivity and creativity within work. Thinking creatively is using your right side of your brain, going on feelings and intuition, so being surrounded by visual inluences that can stimulate these feelings can be very important.
Spaces with brighter lights helps to awaken us whilst dim lit spaces have the opposite effect.

With the skies getting darker during the winter period it can be difficult to stay motivated to carry out tasks, especially within the workplace, as the dim light can make some people too relaxed.

Throughout this winter THECUBE have been exhibiting the work of Benjamin Buckley. The subject within his paintings have been such a contrast to what was happening outside. Whilst it snowed outside, we at THECUBE have been surrounded by rich bold shades of dandelion yellow, soft honey tones, bright pink, striking blues and lime green. The colours have acted as a motivator in keeping us alert and focused as well as the busy repetitive shapes and symbols within his paintings.

Large windows and high ceilings (both which THECUBE has) have been proven to help improve creativity also. Space allows the mind to roam free. In summer when light steams through the windows it will illuminate the space. Though this may encourage creativity, factors like the sunshine may challenge the concentration on mundane tasks when inside a room. Clean, linear Art displayed at the work place at that time of year may be of benefit. It should resemble structure and block shapes which form a restraint on wondering minds. It is vital that a healthy balance between right and left brain activity is monitored as due to many surrounding factors the stimulant for using that one part of the brain could change. As the days begin to get lighter we at THECUBE are preparing for the sun to start leaking through the windows.

Work by fine art photographer Bex Singleton is soon to fill THECUBE in the next coming months. Her images are large scale prints, black, white and bold!