Matter of Densities

Illusion Evolves

Illusionism is the conscious use of illusion to capture attention. It works because where something conflicts with expectations about reality we’re hardwired to look again. The spatial world is a foundation reality for all human beings. We know not to walk out in front of a moving car, that climbing takes more energy than sitting, the full range of behaviors characteristic of being human. Behavior is part of the circuit of perception. What we see is always in flux and as we move there’s a constant bodily adjustment. Walking up the street might involve dozens of small avoidance maneuvers and though much is unconscious it’s a language we understand at our foundation. And it’s visual.

The illusionist works with perception to create a believable impossibility, to have the viewer react as though the illusion is real. And when they recognize their mistake they are rewarded with laughter and all the measurable physical benefits it brings.

Using what’s known about how perception works illusion can be used to attract attention and pose questions. What attracts me to illusionism is working with the concept of truth in relation to human concepts. The history of human thought is a trail of mistaken absolutes, so maybe a good evolutionary step would be to stop the battle for the right idea and focus on how all the different ideas work together and how context affects which ones are most useful. The time and mental energy throughout intellectual history that is lost in the competition to be the one true thing doesn’t recognize the limitations of human intellect. An illusionistic image can make conflicting realities seem equally real and remind us of those limitations. We evolve when we recognize our mistakes. Anything that loosens the clutch of a fixed worldview enables the mind to grow.

Watching a TV show called “The Carbonaro Effect” ( “a hidden camera magic TV show”) always makes me feel connected to all different kinds of human beings. When he creates the illusion that a living creature is inside the museum artifact (One of many imaginative illusions he creates, the show is a candybox full of them) the unknowing subject’s expressions of amazement strip the face down to pure wonder that is beautiful no matter who or what style of person is reacting. Mirror neurons sing with astonishment as intrigue and curiosity grow on their faces. I’m smiling during most of the show feeling true affection for the participants when the persona drops. Like a trompe l’oeil mural, the unexpected revelation that something is not what it seems plunges us into a state of attention pure and in the moment.

    The fact that the interest in illusionism is so widespread reinforces my view that the arts have an important role in the evolution of the human mind. All of the arts train overall judgment and sense of proportion. The additional use of illusion adds flexibility of thought. Using the universal language of space speaks directly to our foundation understanding of the world. In a global society, images need no translation.

Call for Peace

Visual Diet

Today people are generally aware of the relationship between what they eat and their physical health. This opens the territory to consider how what we see and take into ourselves visually may affect our mental health. Our bodies are always responding to the state of things around us. Danger is something we feel in our bodies before it’s translated mentally into fear. Inviting threatening imagery into our psyche could be as bad for our minds as salt or sugar for our bodies. Humans have always used images to express inner life from the ancient mythologies to modern film. Stories from the news or movies are scenarios that evolve and change. What we choose to watch is our visual diet. Brain science tells us that what we experience creates the brain, actually building circuits in relevant areas for new experiences and reinforcing circuits for patterns of behavior we’ve already established. Being aware of how we shape our circuitry by what we see might leading to greater selectivity in what we consume through our eyes.

Through our mirror neuron systems, we feel and experience what we watch on screens as though we are doing it ourselves, it’s how we understand what’s happening. If we could resist being drawn into sensational and violent programming like we resist unhealthy foods, it’s possible we might feel better emotionally. Commercial television offers ridicule and mockery as entertainment so it follows that people would feel anxious about being mocked and ridiculed. Crime is everywhere and the distinctions between news and fictional stories can get blurred. Why wouldn’t people feel a low-grade fear as part of day-to-day living? Whether it’s fiction or not, whatever the brain is given is what it records, its circuits structured by the patterns in the unfolding visual environment. The evidence that it may be affecting brains for the worse is clear in the amount of people supporting Donald Trump who unquestionably appeals to the worst in people. He embodies the practice of putting others down to build himself up, by his own ugly behavior sanctioning ugliness in others. Because of his outrageousness Trump gets all the attention from the press reinforcing repeated negative patterns. Those who watch and admire his flagrant discourtesy build circuits that make it easier to be offensive themselves. Just like I feel improved when watching a great tennis player operating at their peak and want to go out and do my best, I feel degraded if I leave Trump on the screen as long as the station would have me look at him. It can’t be good for my circuitry to see people cheering for the bullying unpleasantness they don’t tolerate in children. We don’t have to let the media manipulate us into mental ugliness. If that dominates what we see it will start to dominate the circuits of our mind. Taking responsibility for the visual diet is just as important as the food we eat. It all goes in and becomes part of us, shaping thoughts and values, and who can say how much it contributes to the prevalence of depression. Modern life programs people to be cut off from each other while maintaining an illusion of connectedness.

   Studies have shown that time with nature is good for the brain. Even if you just look up at the clouds or into the face of a person or animal, you’re seeing nature at its best. Whatever is complex and mysterious will tune us to the presence of mystery, of just how much we don’t understand. Find art that resonates to strengthen intuition. When online, follow up on things that stir interest to increase dopamine and build new circuits. Curiosity creates connection. Building connections is being alive in the world and builds a brain that reflects it.

Tennis Drawings

Top-- "Winner" Inspired by a particular shot by Venus Williams at the French Open
Middle-- "Thinking On The Lawn" , Wimbledon
Bottom-- "Fall and Decline"  , US Open
Very Bottom- "Legends", Australian Open

Serena Williams

If you want to feel improved by watching mastery at work, to say "Wow" and give your mirror neurons a workout, watch some tennis this weekend. Serena Williams may well be the greatest woman athlete of all time. Her play is a work of art created by her own dedication and discipline. Watching her is an uplifting experience.

Tennis is the High Art of sports, beautiful to watch and inspiring to motivation. In the forty years I've been a fan only Steffi Graf has won 22 major championships. This Saturday morning Serena Williams, at 34 years of age, will play to tie that record. And if if she doesn't win, she will eventually. Her mastery is too solid. I have no doubt that she will tie and surpass that record, because like Roger Federer, she's a jewel of the sport. He's also playing beautifully and could be in the finals. The Women's Finals are Saturday morning at nine and the Men's Sunday morning at nine.

The aesthetics of the court and play, the sophisticated mental game that surprises and delights, combined with the individuality of each players styles and I'm awash in admiration. Very good brain chemistry. Add to that the stamina, focused intelligence and coordination unmatched by any other sport.   At the pinnacle of the sport Serena is the kind of example that the US should be celebrating as a national treasure. Novak Djokavic is a national hero in Serbia but you seldom hear the name of Serena Williams even as she approaches this historic record. If attention was paid to real accomplishment more might be inspired by their example and experience the pleasure that comes from challenge. So I highly recommend "Breakfast at Wimbledon" this weekend.

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