The heart is a prime example of art/science crossover. During the month of February, readers are likely to be surrounded by stylised images of the human heart. For societies derived from West European cultural traditions, the heart is currently (it has not always been so) the symbolic seat of affection. The heart also symbolises courage (Lionheart, Braveheart, and so on). The Tin Woodsman in The Wizard of Oz1 is seeking a heart in both those senses.
There is no contradiction between knowing the heart to be a physical pump, and recognising the image of the heart as an icon for complex psychophysical emotional processes. This sort of crossover is a particular interest of mine, so it piqued my interest when Ray Girvan mentioned a heart-rate variability sonification project2. The project represents a pragmatic manifestation of the art/science interface, which is one aspect of its appeal to me.
The future of complex data interpretation is very much in such cross-modal exploitation of human sensory richness - this example came from application of a musical tool to medical purpose; could I use conventional mathematical and statistical software to derive a visual result which was both informative and aesthetically satisfying? Could I learn anything from the attempt? I asked a patient group of artists and art students to explore that context with me... [Read more]
1. Baum, L.F. The Wizard of Oz. 1900.
2. Ballora, M., et al. Heart Rate Sonification: A New Approach to Cardiopulmonary Diagnosis. Penn State University. www.music.psu.edu/Faculty%20Pages/Ballora/sonification/sonex.html
No comments:
Post a Comment