Using artworks to understand human memory and its neural mechanisms

Abstract

Artwork is a unique tool for studying human memory and its neural underpinnings. This review evaluates the role of art in memory research, employing novel experimental and computational methods to understand how art is stored and retrieved. We underscore the significance of naturalistic neuroimaging and advanced statistical analysis in understanding the memory encoding of artworks. We suggest that the memorability of artwork may be tied to enhanced memory consolidation during rest or sleep. Art triggers more than simple recall; it involves a personalized reconstruction of memories. To measure this reconstruction, we propose using drawing and memory-based writing as innovative memory tests, and Deep Neural Networks (DNN) to compare behavioral and neural patterns during both encoding and retrieval phases. Art thus emerges as a profound medium to probe the complex interactions between memory and cognitive, emotional, and social processes, with implications for disciplines including art and communication.