Portraits of Perception with Chuck Close

Explore the fascinating intersection of art and neuroscience in this 90-minute World Science Festival panel discussion. Delve into the intricacies of facial perception as host Kurt Andersen leads a conversation with artists Chuck Close and Devorah Sperber, alongside neuroscientists Margaret Livingstone, Chris Tyler, and Ken Nakayama. Discover how brain imaging technology sheds light on our perception of the human face, from the enigmatic smile of the Mona Lisa to Picasso's captivating portraits. Examine the biological basis of visual perception, learn about Leonardo da Vinci's pioneering work in the field, and witness Chuck Close's artistic process. Gain insights into face blindness, rapid facial recognition, and the science behind evaluating paintings. This thought-provoking discussion bridges the gap between art and science, offering a unique perspective on how we perceive and interpret the most intimate yet public of human features.

Syllabus

Introduction
Has there been an aha moment with the human face and it perception?
Is the brain similar to a computer?
Chuck Close at work
Does Chuck's work fit into the science of visual perception?
Was Leonardo da Vinci the pioneer of visual perception?
Is there a biological explanation to our visual perception?
The work of Devorah Sperber.
Chuck do you change the way you paint do to knowing the science?
How to screen a painting before purchase.
The face blindness test.
Recognizing faces in a tenth of a second.