The concept that art of all kinds can have a physical effect on our minds and bodies is not a new
one; musical notes evoke colours to some people and smells can bring music to your ears so it is no
surprise that pictures and light can affect your emotions and other senses.
one; musical notes evoke colours to some people and smells can bring music to your ears so it is no
surprise that pictures and light can affect your emotions and other senses.
The Synesthetic Experience
This is the process of uniting the messages from all your senses to create an impression of the world
around you. Everyone is constantly doing this within waking hours; combining sight, sound, touch,
taste and smell to identify and experience your surroundings.
Synaesthesia is a neurological condition in which stimulation of one sense creates sensation in
another; the most common kind, according to a study by Sean A. Day (last updated: 5 March 2005) is when
people see colours when they hear a day of the week:
This is the process of uniting the messages from all your senses to create an impression of the world
around you. Everyone is constantly doing this within waking hours; combining sight, sound, touch,
taste and smell to identify and experience your surroundings.
Synaesthesia is a neurological condition in which stimulation of one sense creates sensation in
another; the most common kind, according to a study by Sean A. Day (last updated: 5 March 2005) is when
people see colours when they hear a day of the week:
Other people see colours when they read numbers and letters:
Synaesthesia can affect almost any combination of senses, but the vast majority result in visual
stimulation in the form of seeing colours when you hear, smell or taste. 51% of people in Day’s study
had multiple forms of synaesthesia
stimulation in the form of seeing colours when you hear, smell or taste. 51% of people in Day’s study
had multiple forms of synaesthesia
Synaesthesia in Art
All kinds of art create synaesthesia in some way, but this is created by the artist rather than an
integral part of the viewers sensory perception. The most all round form of art in which stimulating
all of the senses is easiest is cinema for obvious reasons, although many may argue that a poem or
a single image can affect them in a far greater way than an entire film. Neurological expressionism
uses the idea of light and pictures from film to create a response with just one still image.
All kinds of art create synaesthesia in some way, but this is created by the artist rather than an
integral part of the viewers sensory perception. The most all round form of art in which stimulating
all of the senses is easiest is cinema for obvious reasons, although many may argue that a poem or
a single image can affect them in a far greater way than an entire film. Neurological expressionism
uses the idea of light and pictures from film to create a response with just one still image.
When you are immersing yourself in art of some kind you may find that isolating the senses most
affected by the medium you are experiencing can help focus and increase the effects you feel; close
your eyes to listen to music or poetry cover your ears to focus on a painting. This will also help
create the art induced synaesthesia intended by the artist; listening with your eyes shut leaves only
the visuals created by the music or poem thus increasing the all round experience
affected by the medium you are experiencing can help focus and increase the effects you feel; close
your eyes to listen to music or poetry cover your ears to focus on a painting. This will also help
create the art induced synaesthesia intended by the artist; listening with your eyes shut leaves only
the visuals created by the music or poem thus increasing the all round experience
Creating Your own Experience
Why not try including senses that would not usually be involved when you are experiencing art
forms? Focus on the facial expressions of a singer and let the music wash over you, or take a deep
breath as you enjoy a beautiful view. This helps get all your senses involved in creating the effect
for you; Needless to say, however, it is probably best to avoid touching paintings, especially valuable ones as
art gallery insurance companies tend to insist that they are wired to alarms.
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Jenny Flaire is a freelance art writer from England. She spent much of her youth in NYC where her parents regularly took her to the many galleries in the city starting a fire that has burned ever since.
