'The Art Of Mind' - An Artistic Reflection Framework

Episode 9 – The CHANGE Phase (Part 2) : Memory, Adaptation, and Artistic Evolution

Art is shaped by our memories, how we adapt, and our constant drive to evolve. Our brains use powerful mechanisms to store, retrieve, and interpret information, but they don't remember everything. Only the most significant, emotionally charged, or frequently reinforced details stick with us.

For artists, curators, and museum professionals, this selective memory is crucial. It affects how we engage with art, how audiences absorb creative narratives, and how artistic movements develop over time.

Why Can't We Remember Everything?

Our memory is designed for efficiency rather than complete recall. Early humans didn't need to remember every detail of their surroundings—they only needed to remember what influenced their survival. In artistic contexts, this means that:

• Bold, emotionally charged artworks tend to be remembered longer than more subdued pieces.
• Repeated exposure to certain styles or techniques reinforces familiarity and builds appreciation.
• Symbolism and abstraction help viewers form deeper cognitive associations.

Exercise: Think of a work of art you've seen multiple times. Notice if your memory picks up new details or if your interpretation evolves over time.

Getting Stuck in Our Way of Thinking

Change isn't always easy. As we age, we often cling to familiar ideas and ways of thinking. Research shows that older individuals may resist change unless their previous decisions are acknowledged and validated.

In art and cultural leadership, this means:

• New exhibition formats or curatorial narratives need to bridge fresh ideas with familiar cultural references.
• Artists shifting their creative direction must balance innovation with elements that audiences already know and appreciate.
• Professionals working with historical collections often weave traditional themes into modern frameworks, creating layered meanings instead of abrupt changes.

Artists and curators have long grappled with the tension between stability and innovation. The challenge remains: how can we embrace new ideas without discarding the traditions that give art its depth?

The CHANGE Phase: Art, Thought, and Transformation

The CHANGE phase takes place across three key brain areas, each influencing our creative process in unique ways:

Primitive Brain (Elementary)

• Survival instincts and artistic identity: Our basic drives shape early creative impulses.
• Personal evolution and growth: These instincts also contribute to our long-term development and adaptation in art.

Emotional Brain (Bonding)

• Creative attachments: Our emotional connections influence how we grasp new ideas and artistic influences.
• Shifting perspectives: Changes in our emotions can redefine how we view and create art.

Rational Brain (Meaning)

• Reframing interpretation: Logical analysis and philosophical thought help repackage artistic ideas.
• Integrating new frameworks: This brain area allows us to combine fresh concepts with our existing knowledge.

Each brain region plays a part in shaping how artists transform their work, how institutions curate collections, and how audiences experience artistic evolution.

Key Characteristics of the CHANGE Phase in Art

• Adaptability: Flexibility within each brain region influences both perception and interpretation.
• Continuous learning: Mastery in art requires ongoing practice, repetition, and refinement.
• Memory recall: Both conscious and subconscious processes contribute to curatorial and creative choices.
• Decision-making: How artists decide on new directions influences how audiences adapt to evolving artistic trends.

Understanding these cognitive adaptations helps us see change as an essential part of artistic development. Embracing change allows our creative efforts to grow both individually and culturally.

Final Thoughts

Art is never static—it continually evolves, adapts, and reinvents itself just as our thoughts do. The CHANGE phase reminds us that our creative process is a dynamic blend of memory, adaptation, and transformation.

*** Your thoughts and reactions are come on Instagram***

Reference art work for this blogpost: Piet Mondrian's "Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow", which represents structured change through abstraction.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Art Of Mind' - An Artistic Reflection Framework

Coming up next: Episode 10 – The CLOSE Phase (expected 13/06/2025)

Check out my previous blogs:
Episode 1 & 2 – Introduction & Concept
Episode 2 to 5 – The Three Brains
Episode 6 – The OC² Process
Episode 7 & 8 – The OPEN Phase & Change Phase (Part 1)

'The Art of Mind': blog homepage