Shroothi Ramesh

Monday, June 13, 2016

Starting that Monday, we began our Brain on Art experiment at the
Childrens Museum of Houston. As the museum opened at 10, we started
setting up around 9:30. We set p 3 tables for the kids to sit at during the
experiment with an array of art supplies provided for us by the Childrens
Museum. Then, monitors, cameras, and the EEG recording systems was set
up, along with a larger screen to project a live stream of data from the
experiment. The experiment itself is part of a larger research project called
Exquisite Corps. All of the variations of Exquisite Corps, being music, art, or
creative writing, include an exchange of work between the artists
participating.
In the sessions we had set up for this week, we recruited 3 children,
ages 6 and up per session. During each session, about 25 minutes were
allotted to set up the electrode caps according to the kids measurements,
gel, and connect completely. We first had the kids close their eyes for 1
minute, and then stare at the paper in front of them for 1 minute. This
establishes a base line for the data, and also allows for eye-blinks to be
subtracted out of the data that is collected, giving us a clearer view of the
brain signals associated with art and creativity. After that, we asked them to
draw a head of any creature into the top section of the paper that was
divided into 3 portions, in 7 minutes time. We then covered the 1st portion,
switched the papers to the right, and gave them another 7 minutes to draw a
body. After the 2nd section was covered we switched the papers for a 3rd time
and asked them to draw legs and feet in the last section of the paper. In the
end, their masterpieces were revealed, and the artists were allowed to take
the last paper they worked on home. Through the experiment data was
logged into lab server and discrepancies were taken note of. My jobs through
the day varied from recruiting kids for the experiment, setting up caps,
gelling, and washing electrodes and caps in between sessions. Through the
day, we had 4 sessions total lasting about an hour and a half each, allowing
for us to clean equipment between. The first day this week was relatively
slow, as there wasnt a huge crowd at the museum, but the rest of the week
went by much faster.
Overall, we had a relatively good run on the first day despite a few
mishaps in recording video and documentation of the questionnaires given to
parents of the children participating. We received data from 11 kids from the

age range we had hoped for (6-18), and only 1 participant was over the age
bracket.
I found this hands on experience quite invaluable as I could appreciate
the complexity and dedication it takes to research the creative process.
During the week following the first day of the study at the museum, I learned
how to interpret EEG readings on a basic scale and began filtering data
received from test subjects. It also gave me practice in simplifying a complex
topic for younger and less experienced audiences.