What Defines an Aesthetic Experience?

Certain arrangements of sensory input can create experiences that feel distinctly different from mere perception, often described as aesthetic experiences. Many of these moments are pleasurable; beautiful objects tend to evoke enjoyment. However, pleasure can arise from various sources, such as enjoying a delicious meal or being with an attractive partner, which may not be classified as aesthetic experiences.

One way to define aesthetic experiences is as a subset of pleasurable emotional experiences that lack utilitarian or appetitive drives. For instance, while admiring a beautiful painting, one might think, “That would look lovely in my home,” or “It could be a good investment.” These thoughts, while rewarding, do not typically fall under the category of aesthetic contemplation.

Aesthetic experiences are often self-contained, encapsulated in the immersive engagement with an object. This can include both art and natural beauty, such as a stunning garden, which exemplifies a core aspect of aesthetic appreciation.

The Balance of Liking and Wanting

Chatterjee discusses how our brains process rewarding experiences through complex networks, particularly involving the ventral striatum, frontal cortex, amygdala, and insula. Neuroscientist Kent Berridge from the University of Michigan has identified a "wanting and liking" system in the brain. Typically, we desire what we enjoy and enjoy what we desire, but these systems function independently, driven by distinct neurochemicals.

Dopamine plays a critical role in our reward system, influencing learning and motivation. In contrast, the “liking” system is mediated by cannabinoid and opioid receptors. Addiction, however, can create a disconnect where individuals may crave substances without deriving the same pleasure they once did. Chatterjee speculates that aesthetic experiences may occur when enjoyment takes precedence over desire.

Can Science Measure Transcendence?

Researchers at NYU have explored the quantification of transcendent experiences through brain imaging. Participants rated their enjoyment of various paintings while their brain activity was monitored. Results indicated that at extreme levels of enjoyment, different neural patterns emerged, particularly within the “default mode network,” which is active during introspective thought.

This network becomes less engaged during focused tasks, suggesting that art can trigger an inward shift of focus, allowing for deeper emotional engagement. The interplay between the default mode network and the salience network—the system that responds to significant stimuli—further illustrates how our brains process art and its impact on our internal states.

Understanding Aesthetics Through Neuroanatomy

Neuroaesthetics enriches our understanding of aesthetic experiences through the aesthetic triad: sensory-motor, emotional-reward, and semantic-conceptual circuits in the brain. Critics of scientific aesthetics argue that traditional studies often overlook contemporary art, which may not conform to classical definitions of beauty.

Chatterjee emphasizes that for conceptual art, sensory elements may be less pronounced, while emotional and intellectual responses become more significant. He points out that one can experience beauty in artworks, like Australian Aboriginal art, even without a comprehensive understanding of their cultural context.

Does Context Alter Our Response to Art?

When everyday objects are framed as art, our perceptions can shift dramatically. For instance, a urinal displayed as art or Brillo boxes presented in a gallery context can evoke different reactions. Historical shifts in art appreciation, such as the initial criticism of Impressionist painters, illustrate how cultural perspectives evolve.

Experimental findings indicate that when abstract images are labeled as art, viewers report greater enjoyment, as reflected in heightened activity in brain areas associated with pleasure. This suggests that context and education significantly influence our aesthetic experiences.

Birdsong and Artistic Expression

Chatterjee draws parallels between art and the songs of the white-rumped munia, a bird bred for its plumage rather than its song. Over generations, the song of this bird evolved into the Bengalese finch's more complex and variable melodies. This shift raises questions about the role of adaptive pressures in shaping creativity.

As societal demands for art change, the absence of traditional constraints may allow for greater artistic variability. Chatterjee posits that contemporary art’s diversity stems from the reduced selective pressures that once guided artistic expression.

Stages of Creativity

Creativity is often viewed as a four-stage process: preparation, incubation, illumination, and elaboration. The preparation phase involves acquiring foundational skills, followed by an incubation period where solutions seem elusive. Illumination occurs when insights suddenly emerge, leading to the final stage of elaboration, where ideas are expressed.

Research indicates that specific brain regions become more active during the incubation-illumination transition, suggesting a unique neural process at play. This phenomenon is often described as a "magical" moment in creativity.

Fostering Creativity in Contemporary Culture

Chatterjee expresses concern that contemporary culture may hinder creativity by prioritizing analytical problem-solving over more exploratory, imaginative approaches. He emphasizes the importance of downtime for fostering creativity, as it allows for broader thinking and the potential for insight.

He notes that children today often face overscheduled lives, limiting their opportunities for unstructured play and relaxation. This lack of downtime could hinder their ability to cultivate creative insights over time.

Alternative Career Paths

Reflecting on his career, Chatterjee contemplates what he might pursue if not for his work in neuroscience. With a background in philosophy, he considered a path in academia or even dedicating himself fully to photography. Writing The Aesthetic Brain sparked a newfound interest in popular science writing, suggesting potential future directions for his career.

Gayil Nalls, Ph.D., is an interdisciplinary artist, philosopher, and theorist. Her work investigates personal and collective sensory experiences, memory, and identity.

Originally published on Nautilus on January 29, 2015.