University of Chicago researchers Trent Davis and Wilma Bainbridge recently published a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that found that not only does everyone have the same memory of a work of art, but it can also be accessed through artificial intelligence**. In one **test, they selected about 4,000 paintings from the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. They then recruited more than 3,200 participants and asked them to make **hundreds**, with about 40 people per piece**. Finally, show the volunteers the paintings they have seen and have not seen and ask if they remember them. The results showed that people's memories were very consistent, with almost everyone remembering or forgetting the same**.
2023 Post Sprint Contest Data expert Cohenniederer designed a neural network called Resmem while writing his master's degree at the Bernbridge Institute for Psychology. Resmem mimics the way the human visual system transmits information from the eye to the brain, such as edges, textures, and patterns. It starts with the most basic information, such as edges, textures, and patterns, and gradually dives into more interesting information, such as the meaning of the object. Surprisingly, despite the fact that the AI has no idea about the cultural atmosphere, popularity, or importance of each object, its score on memory largely matches what people score on the **test.
Surprisingly, these findings suggest that our memories of art have less to do with our personal beauty and deeper meaning, and more to do with art itself. This discovery could have a significant impact on artists, advertisers, teachers, and all those who try to leave a mark on our hearts. Bainbridge said. You might think that art is something completely different, but people remember and forget things in much the same way. She added:"Testing is a good place to start. It would be even more exciting if we could ** real-world memories"。So Davis and Bainbridge, who was pursuing a double major in neuroscience and visual arts at the time, gathered 19 people for the test, with the only rule being that they had to read at least every piece. Davis said"As an artist, I hope that the results of my research will have an impact on the real world...
Kate Knibs's research makes us even more interested in these paintings. We found that the paintings were most likely large or surrounded by other large pieces. Interestingly, however, these paintings do not share a common theme, historical period, color palette or emotional tone. So Bainbridge and her team dug deep to try to figure out the mystery. In the third experiment, 40 people were asked to rate each painting online for its beauty, emotional tone, familiarity, and interest, while another group went to the art academy to view the paintings in person. Surprisingly, the first three factors, as well as the basic visual elements such as color, brightness, and clutter, have nothing to do with whether the painting is memorable or not. Bainbridge said. "The only factor that affects how much people remember these works is how interested they are"。
However, to define it precisely"Interesting"The meaning is not easy. It's an ambiguous word that can mean both curiosity and subtle repulsion. Bainbridge argues that interest in these artworks is related to their connection to human culture. According to the participants and Resmem, some of the most memorable paintings are either very funny or have a rather cheeky side. For example, in one of the highest-scoring paintings, two floppy potatoes are suspended from a rope, which is somewhat suggestive. But computer programs can't explain why, Bainbridge said.
Fosco in a study about"Memorable artifacts"The same pattern was observed in the study and called"There is a clear correlation between strangeness and memorability"。Zoyabilinski, a senior research scientist at Adobe, came to a similar conclusion in a 2015 study that examined people's aesthetic judgments about artworks. The study surveyed people's aesthetic judgments about artworks. She took a similar approach to her Chicago team, discovering that people often think of natural landscapes as the most beautiful, but not the most memorable. She told Wired in an email:"We don't remember it because it's beautiful, we remember it because it's different, because it's peculiar, because it's unlike anything we've seen before.
In previous studies, Bainbridge found that certain areas of the brain, particularly the visual system and medial temporal lobe, respond differently to memorable images and easily forgotten images, even in the absence of explicit memory tasks. She believes that the brain can quickly determine which visual information needs attention and which needs to be discarded. However, the mechanism by which the brain or artificial neural network distinguishes between these experiences remains a mystery.
According to Bainbridge, though"Interesting"It may be more memorable, but many factors play an important role in the process of deciding whether a piece of art is memorable or not. Bairbridge points out that strong negative emotions such as disgust and fear can also make people more memorable. Researchers may not have observed this effect, as none of the paintings were truly grotesque or frightening. In addition, the brain tends to prioritize surprises, novelties, and the unusual. We can better ** the future by recalling the past"。She speculates that certain works of art may have become cultural celebrities because they have a unique style, explore unusual themes or break expectations. It is for these reasons that they remain in people's minds.
Now, Davis and Bainbridge are taking a whole new approach to unravel the mystery of how art impresses us. The Bernbridge Research Lab has launched a competition to encourage artists to create the most memorable works of art. Entries will be exhibited in the gallery and visitors will be given a memory test. Hopefully, this competition will shed light on what makes art stand out.
Davis' goal is not only to uncover what makes a painting so impressive in our minds, but also to explore the evolution of memory in the process of artistic creation. Participating artists must share at least five photographs documenting the creation of their work**. Davis explained that a small stroke adjustment can change memory, so I use resmem to monitor the impact of each adjustment on memory. Kate KnibbsFor visual artists, the idea that AI can make an impression on their work and potentially tailor it to the viewer can seem daunting. Davis acknowledges that tools such as resmem and generative AI tools such as DALL-E may be seen as inhibiting the creative process and expression. Davis is often asked if he applies these findings to his own art, but he emphasizes his efforts to separate neuroscience insights from the world of creation. He envisions Resmem as a tool for gallery curators and artists to use to refine their work, rather than replace their own creative direction.
For artists and entertainment enthusiasts, harnessing the influence of memory may seem like an adventure. However, Bilinski argues that understanding what makes an image memorable can also protect individuals from manipulation. The solution is not to reduce knowledge, but to disseminate it widely.
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