 |
|
MINOAN
DECORATION |
| MINOAN
DECORATION |
|
| by
Vas. Politakis |
|
| MOVEMENT |
|
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Movement
in Minoan decoration, brings activation to our brains. Because of the harmony of Minoan curves and the earthen colorings, this energy leads us to the harmonious feeling of release. |
| EMPHASIS |
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|
The
emphasis of covering the whole surface of a ceramic with one subject, and not using zones of different decoration - as it was done in later periods - gives a very clear feeling. Clearness is something we need, for sure, in a complicated world. |
| RELAXATION |
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Floating
motives on the surface of Minoan ceramics, give the impression of the harmonious movement in water, which is totally relaxing. |
| ENERGY
OF LIFE |
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Very
often we see the gathering of many living creatures, on the surface of Minoan ceramics. Seeing so much life gathered together, gives us an energetic feeling. The plasticity of the forms and the right placing of decoration, finally, bring to us a harmonious atmosphere. |
| FREEDOM
OF IMAGINATION |
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|
Abstract
paintings set our imagination free . The earthern pale colorings, of Minoan decoration make us think of something that has to do with nature. Since nature gives the most relaxing feelings ,we are led to relaxation. |
| SIMPLICITY |
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|
Simplicity,
coming out of designs which present a subject in the simplest way, using the least possible lines offers relaxation and helps us understand the deeper meaning of life. |
Research
in Progress
At
the Department of Psychology, University of Crete and at the Brain &
Psyche Electrophysiology Research Laboratory, Athens, Greece, the following
projects are in
progress:
I. Visual
stimuli selected from typical themes from Minoan Art and visual stimuli
designed to possess the opposite characteristics will be presented to
Psychology students who will be asked to rate the stimuli on a variety
of psychometric scales assessing:
a) Clarity
vs. ambiguity of design;
b) Earthy vs. artificial colors;
c) Presence vs. absence of movement;
d) Comprehensible vs. unrecognizable themes;
e) Familiar vs. unknown objects;
Moreover, all of the above visual stimuli will be rated by the same
students on a variety of psychometric scales assessing:
1) Tranquility
vs. anxiety;
2) Euphoria
vs. dysthymia (the opposite of euphoria);
3) Comfort
vs. discomfort;
4) Well-being
vs. feeling not-well.
II.
All of the above visual stimuli will be presented to the same students
at the Electrophysiology Laboratory and their Evoked Potentials will
be recorded from a variety of electrode locations on the scalp. Thus
the electrical activity (brain waves) of a variety of brain structures
in response to the above stimuli will be studied.
The working hypothesis is that certain visual stimuli which are rated
in the psychometric tests to have psychotropic properties will have
equivalent effects on brain activity. This will be the ultimate test
that Minoan Art is beneficial to the human psyche.
Psychological
and Neuroscientific perspective:
Joannis N. Nestoros, M.D., Ph.D.(Neurophysiology, McGill University),
F.R.C.P.(C ),
Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist, Professor of Clinical Psychology,
Department of Psychology, University of Crete, Rethymno, Greece.
E-mail: nestoros@psy.soc.uoc.gr
*Themes of Minoan
art are provided by Vassilis Politakis
