AR Experience as a modern application of cognitive theories - Dalí’s "Nature Morte Vivante" in Dali's Challenge Exhibitions

I had the chance to experience the AR experience in Salvador Dalí’s "Nature Morte Vivante (Still Life – Fast Moving)" in Dali's Challenge exbihitions.

The physical painting shows us how Dalí saw the fluid boundaries between reality and imagination—something we often miss in everyday life. It features objects that seem to move, in his mind and eyes.

If we were to name Dalí’s way of seeing things today, we might call it “cognitive theories of perception.” This theory was one of the foundation that build HCI that we know it today .

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Cognitive Theories of Perception

Cognitive theories of perception involve understanding how the brain interprets sensory information to form a coherent view of the world. These theories often discuss how perception is not a direct representation of the external world but is constructed by cognitive processes that interpret sensory data. Key aspects include:

Bottom-Up Processing: This is data-driven and involves processing sensory input as it comes.

Top-Down Processing: This involves using prior knowledge, expectations, and experiences to interpret sensory information.

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Dalí's Artistic Vision

Salvador Dalí's work often explores the interscetion between reality and imagination, a theme evident in his surrealist paintings. His pieces depict fluid, dream-like scenes where objects defy physical laws, making us to question our perceptions of reality. His work mostly seems to align with top-down processing, where user’s interpretations are influenced by their imagination and previous experiences.

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Augmented Reality Experience and Dalí’s Vision

AR in the context of Dalí's work provides a new medium to experience his art. By animating elements within his paintings, AR can make static objects appear dynamic, thus altering viewers' perceptions in real-time, which aligns with Dalí’s intent to blur the lines between reality and imagination.The use of AR in exhibiting Dalí’s art can be seen as a modern application of cognitive theories. AR modifies the sensory input (the static painting) and augments it with additional layers of information (animation), giving user output that immediately be able to reconstruct their perception of the artwork actively.

It helps us to see things from his point of view without overwhelming our brain.

Makes us think on UX that are being used in current application to enhance this cognitive rendering easier and easier.

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If you’re curious to see, i do recommend you to experience it at Dali' Challenge , you can experience how technology can transform your perception of art and the imagination it gives.

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