Lichtgedanken 03

Rubrik 69 03 | LICHT GEDANKEN unsuccessfully—to become the site of the new Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics. »At the start of my ca- reer, I would have ruined my academic reputation if I had pursued my research interest in art, but technology has sin- ce undergone huge developments. In addition, as early as 2005 I found an open-minded collaborator in Prof. Joachim Denzler,« says Redies. Together, the physician and the IT specialist laid some of the foundations for research on the aesthetics of art. His research group currently works with a team from the Institute of Psychology. He does not see him- self as a trendsetter, but readily admits that »it’s exciting to be part of a new, developing field of research right from its beginnings«. Aesthetics has now actually become a trendy academic topic. As evidence for this trend, several research associations have thrived in this field, such as the Interna- tional Association of Empirical Aesthetics, of which Redies is of course a member. Structure of beauty in the visual arts and music Does Redies paint differently since he has started studying the subject so intensively? »Thinking is not necessarily helpful when one is painting,« he replies, »but rather it is feeling that counts. And my feelings have not changed.« In any case, he does not have much time for painting at the moment—science is still the top priority, because there are many things he wants to accomplish in science before this father of four daughters retires. He would like to get even closer to the heart of what constitutes beauty in an artwork. In addition, in his research he would like to turn his atten- tion to music. In his youth, Redies played the piano for nine years, »but not particularly well,« he says with a laugh. But his penchant for classical music has stayed with him. Research is first and foremost an intellectual game for him, and he experiences joy in being curious and in making discoveries. Art, on the other hand, can connect people and cultures, and can move people more deeply. For a long time, it was his dream to combine the two, and he has now been able to fulfil his dream for the last 12 years at the Institute of Anatomy, of which he is the Director. In this position he benefits not only from being located in Jena: »As a professor at a German university, you have the freedom to investigate whatever you like—and that’s fantastic.« And what is the structure of a beautiful artwork all about? »The way in which an artist paints often imitates the struc- ture of complex natural scenes,« explains Redies. As a re- sult, because our visual system is adapted to process natural structure and patterns, humans find artworks familiar and perceive them as beautiful—and the richer and more varied they are, the more beautiful they seem. »It’s difficult to ex- press this in simple words,« notes Professor Redies. It would be easier using brushstrokes. Christoph Redies created the etching »Paris« in 1977 during his stay in the French capital.