PSYCH 119T Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Blombos Cave, Cave Of Altamira, Chauvet Cave
Document Summary
Symbolic cognition necessary for production of art. But symbolic cognition doesn"t necessarily lead to consistent art practice. Remembering mental imagery that originates in different states of consciousness (alertness, dreaming, intoxication, etc. ) No diving of alternative reality, parallel states of being. Recognizing 2- and 3-d representations of 3d things. Ability to plan ahead for a given artistic works. Rich connections between occipital lobes and frontal lobes. Early art-related and symbolic objects from south africa. Shells believed to have been strung together to be used as necklaces. Beginning art to do with social identification and discrimination. 160,000-yo in sa: red pigments in scrape marks: early humans possibly used in symbolic behavior. Ostrich eggs: abstract linear depictions were made on ostrich eggshells. Production of repetitive patterns: suggests system of symbolic expressions. Suggested social, cultural, and cognitive underpinnings that overlap with those of modern people. Mental associations become liberated from environmental associations, taking on a life of their own.