The Development of Neural Art: An Outline

Throughout the author’s career, Neural Art, which is based on the functional properties of the nervous system, has been a significant part of his artwork. Three features stimulated his artistic development: (1) nervous systems as functioning networks, (2) sequences of neural impulses that operate within these networks, and (3) the interactions of nervous systems with external environments. This has resulted in three types of artworks: (1) artist’s books, (2) paintings with overlaid grids to suggest the neural networks as interfaces between inner experience and outer reality, and (3) interactive sound sculptures and installations that, when viewers move around the pieces, generate nerve impulse–like sounds or words and phrases related to a nervous system experiencing the external environment. This paper describes the development of this artwork.