Amigdalae
Encyclopedia
Amigdalae is a biofeedback
based art project by the artist Massimiliano Peretti. The project has been presented for the first time in a scientific environment at the CNRS, National Center of Scientific Research in Paris, November 2005. This project explores how emotional reactions filter and distort human perception and observation.
During the performance, biofeedback
medical technology, such as encephalography
, body temperature variations, heart rate
and galvanic
responses, will be used to analyze people's emotional status as they watch video art
. Using these signals, the music changes, so that the consequent sound environment will simultaneously mirror and distort the viewer's emotional state.
, neuropsychology
and psychobiology, the process of tracking and recording cerebrum-cortical electrical activity, and its combination with other values of psychomotor activity, enables the diagnosis of the emotional responses of an individual.
Psycho-physiological states are assigned to different electrical values. These variations in electrical potential can be recorded with the use of contact electrodes; in most academic situations they are connected to a signal amplifier and an inkjet instrument that reacts to the variations of potential and amplitude of the input data. This instrument, commonly known as electroencephalograph, has been of the utmost importance regarding studies on the functioning of cerebral activity during the awakened state of an individual, the sleep
ing state, emotional states, and during physiological and psychological disturbances. The recorded data, electroencephalogram, are permanent memories of a distinct period of cerebral activity.
There is other psychophysical data, related to human behaviors
, which can be tracked along with variations in brain
activity; this data is generally defined as biofeedback
.
Crucial elements in the study of psychological states are cardiac frequency, electro muscular activity EMG
, and body temperature. Their interpretation gives a detailed response about the psychic activity of an individual.
The average time for tracking and recording the data is seven minutes. The generated graph is based on a detailed interpretation of the four types of brain waves: alpha, beta, delta and theta. Their values are shown in amplitude
(volts), frequency
(hertz), and isolated peaks of electrical activity: the amplitude is higher than hundred volts and low in frequency, or short shocks of high frequency waves and small amplitude.
personal opinions are controlled and directed by external stimuli, like in the reality, points of view are filtered or deformed by mass communication languages, culture and society.
The main theme of the vast video archive created through the use of biofeedback technology is the dissociative behavior that anticipates emotional reactions.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback is the process of becoming aware of various physiological functions using instruments that provide information on the activity of those same systems, with a goal of being able to manipulate them at will...
based art project by the artist Massimiliano Peretti. The project has been presented for the first time in a scientific environment at the CNRS, National Center of Scientific Research in Paris, November 2005. This project explores how emotional reactions filter and distort human perception and observation.
During the performance, biofeedback
Biofeedback
Biofeedback is the process of becoming aware of various physiological functions using instruments that provide information on the activity of those same systems, with a goal of being able to manipulate them at will...
medical technology, such as encephalography
Electroencephalography
Electroencephalography is the recording of electrical activity along the scalp. EEG measures voltage fluctuations resulting from ionic current flows within the neurons of the brain...
, body temperature variations, heart rate
Heart rate
Heart rate is the number of heartbeats per unit of time, typically expressed as beats per minute . Heart rate can vary as the body's need to absorb oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide changes, such as during exercise or sleep....
and galvanic
Galvanic skin response
Skin conductance, also known as galvanic skin response , electrodermal response , psychogalvanic reflex , skin conductance response or skin conductance level , is a method of measuring the electrical conductance of the skin, which varies with its moisture level...
responses, will be used to analyze people's emotional status as they watch video art
Video art
Video art is a type of art which relies on moving pictures and comprises video and/or audio data. . Video art came into existence during the 1960s and 1970s, is still widely practiced and has given rise to the widespread use of video installations...
. Using these signals, the music changes, so that the consequent sound environment will simultaneously mirror and distort the viewer's emotional state.
Technical specifications
In the field of experimental psychologyExperimental psychology
Experimental psychology is a methodological approach, rather than a subject, and encompasses varied fields within psychology. Experimental psychologists have traditionally conducted research, published articles, and taught classes on neuroscience, developmental psychology, sensation, perception,...
, neuropsychology
Neuropsychology
Neuropsychology studies the structure and function of the brain related to specific psychological processes and behaviors. The term neuropsychology has been applied to lesion studies in humans and animals. It has also been applied to efforts to record electrical activity from individual cells in...
and psychobiology, the process of tracking and recording cerebrum-cortical electrical activity, and its combination with other values of psychomotor activity, enables the diagnosis of the emotional responses of an individual.
Psycho-physiological states are assigned to different electrical values. These variations in electrical potential can be recorded with the use of contact electrodes; in most academic situations they are connected to a signal amplifier and an inkjet instrument that reacts to the variations of potential and amplitude of the input data. This instrument, commonly known as electroencephalograph, has been of the utmost importance regarding studies on the functioning of cerebral activity during the awakened state of an individual, the sleep
Sleep
Sleep is a naturally recurring state characterized by reduced or absent consciousness, relatively suspended sensory activity, and inactivity of nearly all voluntary muscles. It is distinguished from quiet wakefulness by a decreased ability to react to stimuli, and is more easily reversible than...
ing state, emotional states, and during physiological and psychological disturbances. The recorded data, electroencephalogram, are permanent memories of a distinct period of cerebral activity.
There is other psychophysical data, related to human behaviors
Human Behaviour
"Human Behaviour" is Icelandic singer Björk's first solo single, taken from the album Debut. It contains a sample of "Go Down Dying" by Antonio Carlos Jobim. The lyrics reflect on human nature and emotion from a non-human animal's point of view. The song is the first part of a series of songs that...
, which can be tracked along with variations in brain
Brain
The brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...
activity; this data is generally defined as biofeedback
Biofeedback
Biofeedback is the process of becoming aware of various physiological functions using instruments that provide information on the activity of those same systems, with a goal of being able to manipulate them at will...
.
Crucial elements in the study of psychological states are cardiac frequency, electro muscular activity EMG
Electromyography
Electromyography is a technique for evaluating and recording the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles. EMG is performed using an instrument called an electromyograph, to produce a record called an electromyogram. An electromyograph detects the electrical potential generated by muscle...
, and body temperature. Their interpretation gives a detailed response about the psychic activity of an individual.
- EEGElectroencephalographyElectroencephalography is the recording of electrical activity along the scalp. EEG measures voltage fluctuations resulting from ionic current flows within the neurons of the brain...
By using an electroencephalograph and a digital interface we can make use of an electrical value, which is output by four sensors placed on the forehead, as a tracking guide of general brain activity. The signals are recorded in real-time and they vary according to psycho-emotional variations in the individual, or according to mutations in the surrounding environment.
The average time for tracking and recording the data is seven minutes. The generated graph is based on a detailed interpretation of the four types of brain waves: alpha, beta, delta and theta. Their values are shown in amplitude
Amplitude
Amplitude is the magnitude of change in the oscillating variable with each oscillation within an oscillating system. For example, sound waves in air are oscillations in atmospheric pressure and their amplitudes are proportional to the change in pressure during one oscillation...
(volts), frequency
Frequency
Frequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time. It is also referred to as temporal frequency.The period is the duration of one cycle in a repeating event, so the period is the reciprocal of the frequency...
(hertz), and isolated peaks of electrical activity: the amplitude is higher than hundred volts and low in frequency, or short shocks of high frequency waves and small amplitude.
- EMGElectromyographyElectromyography is a technique for evaluating and recording the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles. EMG is performed using an instrument called an electromyograph, to produce a record called an electromyogram. An electromyograph detects the electrical potential generated by muscle...
The electrical muscular response is recorded through the use of a dedicated sensorSensorA sensor is a device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer or by an instrument. For example, a mercury-in-glass thermometer converts the measured temperature into expansion and contraction of a liquid which can be read on a calibrated...
. Also in this case the signal gets digitized and elaborated by software that defines the thresholds of reaction of the individual and that compares the output data. We take in consideration the area related to facial musclesFacial musclesThe facial muscles are a group of striated muscles innervated by the facial nerve that, among other things, control facial expression. These muscles are also called mimetic muscles.-Structure:...
, particularly the foreheadForeheadFor the Arsenal striker see GervinhoIn human anatomy, the forehead is the fore part of the head. It is, formally, an area of the head bounded by three features, two of the skull and one of the scalp. The top of the forehead is marked by the hairline, the edge of the area where hair on the scalp...
and eyebrows, as they tend to have a more pronounced reaction to emotional activation. - Cardiac FrequencyCardiac muscleCardiac muscle is a type of involuntary striated muscle found in the walls and histologic foundation of the heart, specifically the myocardium. Cardiac muscle is one of three major types of muscle, the others being skeletal and smooth muscle...
The heartbeat is recorded through a frequency sensor placed on the index finger of the left hand, and its data is monitored and recorded through the entire duration of the experience. - Body Temperature A temperature sensor is placed on the palm of the right hand and communicates to the biofeedback machine through the recording of micro thermal variations.
Peretti's work
The analysis of the observed artwork is central in Peretti's work. He showed how perception and emotional reactions can be eternally modified by the influence of environmental elements. In his art installationsInstallation art
Installation art describes an artistic genre of three-dimensional works that are often site-specific and designed to transform the perception of a space. Generally, the term is applied to interior spaces, whereas exterior interventions are often called Land art; however, the boundaries between...
personal opinions are controlled and directed by external stimuli, like in the reality, points of view are filtered or deformed by mass communication languages, culture and society.
The main theme of the vast video archive created through the use of biofeedback technology is the dissociative behavior that anticipates emotional reactions.
External links
- http://www.kontinuita.com
- http://cogimage.dsi.cnrs.fr/documents/AMIGDALAEdoc.pdf
- http://www.scope-art.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=102&Itemid=206
- CNRS link: http://cogimage.dsi.cnrs.fr/seminaires/resume_amygdalae_2005.htm