Response to Synesthesia Research

Being raised by an art professor I have heard of synesthesia multiple times in my life. I knew what it 'meant', but had never really researched it. I definitely find it to be an interesting subject as it pertains to art.

I suppose the most interesting aspect of synesthesia that I discovered was how many artists try to recreate their visions, and sensations on physical media. Whether it be canvas or film, countless works have been created in an attempt to explain this phenomenon. They use color, texture, light, shadow, and an ever-foreboding sense of insanity. Creators, artists, and pioneers look past the world of psychology that tries to adopt this sensational idea, and transform it into its truest form; a vision, an artistic vision. As Wikipedia alludes to, we must feel and experience synesthesia, not define it. I think art is the way to go about this. It is the only plausible way to describe the complexities of the mind.

Through research, actually, I became aware that I show signs of this condition. I have a very strong sense of smell, and am also very visual. It is not unusual that a certain smell will engulf me with images of past memories, and even people’s faces. In fact, smells are usually how I remember the people I meet. A personal example would be my Grandmother. I used to cook breakfast for my grandmother all the time, and the main thing she liked was sawmill gravy biscuits made from scratch. Therefore when I think about here I can almost taste the gravy, and I can also feel myself making the breakfast for her. In the reverse of that scenario, whenever I smell gravy biscuits it makes me think of her very heavily.