In February we are delighted to be introducing 4 of our members for our popular 4x10 event where we have asked 4 artists do a short 10 minute talk about their practice.  This Pecha Kucha style event, previously run as 5x5, gives us the opportunity to get to know more about the work and inspirations of fellow members, providing opportunities to network and potentially collaborate.  As usual we will be showcasing a mix of artists which demonstrates the diversity of our artist network. There will be an opportunity to network before the event starts and time for questions during the event. 
 

This talk explores the neuroscience behind the experience of Flow, which is a positive mental state often reported by those engaged in arts practices. Deep concentration on an activity that demands maximum skill has the effect of helping us forget our ’selves’ - and this makes us lose track of time. Skills thus have the power of altering our very states of consciousness.  The discovery that our brain works in networks - and that each takes so much energy that some have to be switched off when others are active - has been crucial to increased understanding of the positive health effects of the arts. Reduced self-awareness seems to give us a ‘break’ from thinking about our troubles, potentially reducing stress.