The “All-Or-None” Recognition Response

Robert Brawley, "Whispers & Resonances" oil on panel, 1999.

A team of scientists lead by University of the Leicester bioengineer Dr Rodrigo Quian Quiroga recently released these new findings in consciousness research.

"We found that the neurons we recorded responded to the conscious perception in an "all-or-none" way by dramatically changing their firing rate only when the pictures were recognized.

"For example, a neuron in the hippocampus of one patient fired very strongly to a picture of the patient's brother when recognized and remained completely silent when it was not, another neuron behaved in the same manner with pictures of the World Trade Centre, etc.

"Interestingly, based on the firing of these neurons it was possible to predict far above chance whether a picture was recognized or not. Another interesting observation is that a picture flashed very briefly generated nearly the same response -if recognized- as when shown for much longer periods of time. This means that a single snapshot as brief as 33 ms was sufficient to trigger strong neuronal responses far outlasting the stimulus presentation, signaling the conscious perception of the picture shown."

I want to take this into consideration when pondering the power of realism, or the use of recognizable, representational objects in art. This might be one reason why the image can so powerfully effect the viewer;one’s brain literally lights up inside when it easily recognizes the object.

Also, the fact that information is recognized by the mind almost immediately is interesting. It is said that our brains and bodies take in so much more information moment to moment than our consciousness can process. Our brains become what Huxley called “reduction valves,” presenting our conscious mind with only a briefing of what is going on around and within us. There is more than meets the eye.

This idea can be a great introduction to mysticism and spirituality, but I’d rather take it into our discussion of Realism and art. After reading this article, Michael Garfield said,

"Hmmmm...it also opens the door to discussion of subliminal images and tones in artwork - your brain gets it at 33 ms, but you don't. Also speaks to ambiguous imagery - brain might light up several times several different ways on a single image, if it thinks it keeps recognizing various patterns in the same field of data. Definitely need to discuss the worth of recognition, why it mattes to recognize
something. What that means. Significance."

One day Bob told our class this:

"Realism is not real. It is total fakery. It is fooling the most basic level of mind. This gives it direct access to the viewer. It goes right in.”


Robert Brawley
"The Visitor"
oil on board 2004