synesthesia
By shmeedia
@shmeedia (1044)
Canada
January 21, 2007 10:41pm CST
hmm...seems like i finally created a unique discussion here on mylot....nobody has discussed SYNESTHESIA.
the word comes from the greek 'syn' (together) and aesthesis (perception), and denotes a "joining" of some or all of the 5 senses that most of us are familiar with (taste, smell, touch, etc). in a typical synesthetic person's brain, he or she might "see" a smell or "hear" a taste.
i'm interested in this so-called brain 'disability', though some people would consider it a gift more than an ailment.
imagine listening to a symphony and seeing a dance of colors and shapes!
i'm particularly interested in meeting synesthetes who are visual artists to better understand what they 'see'. i've heard of synesthetic musicians but not so much visual artists, such as painters.
what is your knowledge of synesthesia and do you know anyone who IS a synesthete?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@shmeedia (1044)
• Canada
28 Jan 07
no, i'm not a professional, i'm just very interested in this subject :)
if i can explain a bit more plainly:
it's a condition where the sense of taste, smell, sight, hearing, touch are confused. so for example, if you hear a song you think of the color red, or if you eat a snack, you think of a square shape. for someone with normal 5 senses, it's hard to understand, but i hope that helps :)
1 person likes this
@nuffsed (1271)
•
25 Jan 07
syn·es·the·sia also syn·aes·the·sia Pronunciation (sns-thzh)
n.
1. A condition in which one type of stimulation evokes the sensation of another, as when the hearing of a sound produces the visualization of a color.
2. A sensation felt in one part of the body as a result of stimulus applied to another, as in referred pain.
3. The description of one kind of sense impression by using words that normally describe another.
~~~~~~~~~~
Fascinating but not something I've actually come across. :(
@shmeedia (1044)
• Canada
25 Jan 07
fascinating indeed!!!
i was thinking of doing a photographic project influenced by my findings but i have limited 'findings' because i have yet to meet someone with this kind of altered perception. i would really like the info first hand, no from an internet site, for example.
and i would base my photo creations on what these people would explain to me. i think it would be easier to understand it in their own words. and maybe have them draw or sing something to help explain things.
the only place i have seen synesthetes represented is in a (mediocre) japanese film called, you guessed it, 'synesthesia' :)
@shmeedia (1044)
• Canada
26 Jan 07
thx for the idea...though i've previously thought about doing photos from the point of view of a visually impaired person, since at the time, *I* was visually impaired! i was angry at the mistreatment and misrepresentation i got at the local blind institute. this prompted me to turn it into an art project and ask for a grant to produce the photos...but the system was so against me and giving me rights as a near-blind person, i just ended up giving up :(
though you made me wonder...are there any synesthetes who also happen to be missing one of their senses? and how would this affect their already altered senses? quite interesting...i just wish i could find someone, even who is knowledgeable in this subject matter (like a doctor for example)
