#sensory knowledge

The reality we build for ourselves is based on the sensory knowledge collected through receptors in the body, (e.g. eyes/ears/nose/skin), that is filtered and interpreted by the brain which results in perception. (Kalat, J. W,  2016, p.6).

“art is incomplete without the perceptual ... involvement of the viewer” (Kandel, E, 2016 p. 18).

In an ever-increasingly digital world, it will be interesting to see if touch screen interactions will expand to include other senses, or if the automation of physical labour will focus on knowledge-work, away from bodily experiences (Cox 2018, p. 223-225).

‘Woods of Net’, crocheted hand-dyed nylon, by Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam (2009). Hakone Open Air Museum. Sadly only kids are allowed to play on the work, which was rather disappointing for this visiting artist who has managed to preserve their inner child. Photography: ‘Wonder Space II’, by Masaki Koizum.

Sensory knowledge is coming to understand the world through information learned by the senses, exclusively and synaesthetically. This may be olfactory, auditory, visual, tactile or gustatory. Kesinger (1995, p. 245 cited in Howes, 2005, p. 28) proposed that “A truly knowledgeable person is one whose whole body knows.” Margaret Moore quintessentially expresses this idea in the interactive installation Still Sounds (2012) which combined the tacticity of hanging cloth, visually projected family photographs, sounds of Griogal Cridhe and the musty smell of The Crypt Gallery, St Pancras Church, London (Lauwrens, 2012, p. 2). This synaesthetic experience heightens understanding of the artist’s evocation of family history.

Sensory Knowledge

Sensory knowledge is the utilisation of all five senses; which are taste ,sight , touch, hearing and smell. Sensory knowledge is utilised through many art disciplines and has a euphoric aftermath as noted by Eisner, “Through our sensory response to the way sound is arranged, as in music; to the way colours are composed, as in visual arts….the arts are ways to get a natural high” (Eisner, E 2007, pg.4). Musicians in particular assist their audience in utilising their senses (sight, smell, touch, hearing) within concerts, as the audience is engaged effectively and achieve adrenaline and serotonin when exposed to their favourite artist/s.

Reference:

Eisner, E. (2019). Art and Knowledge. [online] Us.corwin.com. Viewed on 23 March, 2019, http://us.corwin.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/18068_Chapter_1.pdf 

Sensory Knowledge is the physical and mental connection we have with the world through thought and touch. Sensory knowledge involves the senses of the body i.e. touch, sight, taste, smell and, hearing. “Connect[s] with a hyper sensory aspect of experience’: ‘sculpture is neither visual, nor tactile, but a complex mixture of the sensory standardly conceived, with our awareness of our own bodies, and their possible interactions with the world.’ (Hopkins, 2004:166). Sensory knowledge can be the feeling of something not being right when you’re wondering down the street or out with friends; it’s your body’s comprehending your current surroundings through your senses.

What is ‘Sensory Knowledge’?

The term ‘sensory knowledge’ relates heavily with unconscious and conscious thinking. It is crucial for human beings to use ‘sensory knowledge’ as it allows us to use our basic instincts such as sight, smell, taste, touch and sound when viewing art (Senthilnathan 2014). These senses help us to understand and make sense of what we are seeing, whether that’s the artist’s intention or not. For instance, the artwork pictured below is depicting multiple perceptions, it truly depends on what the individual’s mind choses to see first or where one focuses their gaze.

                                         (Dibba-Wadda 2016)

Reference:

Senthilnathan, L 2014, How does sense perception affect how we interpret art?, Prezi, viewed 16 March 2018, <https://prezi.com/a15nok1ne2mn/how-does-sense-perception-affect-how-we-interpret-art/>.