![colorful art of people joining hands colorful art of people joining hands](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/arms-different-race-skin-color-holding-each-other-solidarity-multi-ethnic-community-cooperation-illustration-supporting-65120258.jpg)
It meant there were no threats lurking in the shadows.
![colorful art of people joining hands colorful art of people joining hands](https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/1*HSS0qscehbcTdMXyCFgfRQ.jpeg)
It meant they could travel safely on foot without being pounced on by predators. Put simply, our ancient ancestors knew having a clear, open view was good. We know art can inspire similar emotions too, but according to new research, the reasons for this link between art and emotion also go back to our prehistoric roots. Whether standing at the top of a mountain or taking a solitary walk on the beach or in the country, most of us feel a deep sense of calm when we’re in wide open spaces.
![colorful art of people joining hands colorful art of people joining hands](https://imgc.artprintimages.com/img/canvas/colorful-raised-hands-the-concept-of-diversity-group-of-hands-giving-concept_u-l-q1g8enao1zln.jpg)
With this in mind, it’s no surprise some of the world’s most beautiful people are also those said to have the most symmetrical features. Whether avoiding predators, chasing prey or finding a mate, our cave-dwelling forebears looked for symmetry (specifically what’s termed bilateral symmetry) to help them make certain decisions. Symmetry has often featured prominently in art for a very good reason – we’re programmed to look for it. Humans are programmed to look for symmetry everywhere –Įven in someone’s facial features Symmetry And Emotional Art In fact, it looks like art and emotion have always had an unbreakable link to each other. According to some new research, what’s actually happening here is that we’re drawing on some of the same emotional responses as our ancient ancestors. However, this is when things get really interesting. The final stage is when we assign meaning to the image and get an emotional response to the piece of emotional art on show. The second is when we identify what the image represents and feel a sense of relief as the pleasure centers of our brain are triggered. The first is a state of confusion as we attempt to work out what this piece of art represents (is that a landscape? Is that a figure?). When we first look at an image, we’re using different parts of our brain to process the information before our eyes. Have you ever seen those online posts showing tomatoes cut in half to reveal an image of Jesus or cups of coffee that seem to depict a human face in the froth on top? Humans are hard-wired to look for recognizable features in everything, so it’s no surprise we make the same associations when we look at art. These fresh theories suggest that when we view art, we’re drawing on associations that date back to the early days of human evolution. However, recent research by Pinchas Noy and Dorit Noy-Sharav has found our responses to art run much deeper than that. In the past, research has suggested our emotional and aesthetic responses to art were based on a basic stimulus. Whether using particular colors, representing certain scenes or communicating symbols that work on a subconscious level, each work of art is designed to convey a message to the viewer as seen through the eyes of the artist. Throughout history, artists have sought to connect with their audience through many different channels. However, what’s really going through our minds when we work? Why are art and emotion linked so strongly? Whether we know it or not, we make emotional art every time we pick up our pencils, dip our brushes in paint or start chipping away at rock or wood. Ever wondered why art and emotion are linked so strongly? “True art lies in a reality that is felt.”