Cognition and the Visual Arts

by Robert L. Solso

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." 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

Genres: Art, Psychology, Textbooks

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[K R N]

actually read this in college but just remembered/added it

[Izlinda]

It was a much easier read than the other book for my Visual Perception and Art class (Tovee) but the black and white kind of detracts from the art we're suppose to look at.

Very easy read, compared.