Mirror neurons and emboided simulation in visual art : aesthetics and art therapy

One of the most remarkable discoveries in neuroscience is Mirror Neuron System (MNS) which could explain a host of mental abilities that was mysterious and inaccessible to experiments. This finding also was very helpful in discussing some questions in neuroaesthetics about the connecting role of visual art (notably sculpture and painting), including: How does art connect people? How can a work of art be the artist’s language, talking to the beholders? How do beholders participate in the experience of creating an artwork just by observing the final work? How can art be the communication media beyond the time, place and culture? In addition, discovery of MNS could provide knowledge about importance of sculpture and painting in art therapy from neurobiological perspective, answering questions such as: How can art have therapeutic effects through promoting the interpersonal relationship and social engagement? How does art therapy facilitate the patient’s verbal expression in the process of psychotherapy? In this study the attempt has been made to discuss the above questions and describe the visual art as a form of communication, from the neuroscience point of view. Therefore, through a systematic review of literature, this study explores the MNS researches in aesthetics and art therapy, provides an in-depth knowledge of MNS function in Visual ar