I learned that my art can help enhance your memory. It’s the hippocampus.

The hippocampus, a critical brain structure nestled deep within the temporal lobe, plays a pivotal role in the formation of new memories and the recognition of familiar environments. When we encounter familiar landmarks presented in unexpected, vibrant colors, the hippocampus becomes particularly active. This activity isn’t just about recognizing the landmarks; it involves integrating the new sensory information (the unusual colors and perspectives) with existing memories.

Lagoon and the Jewel, Wade Lagoon and Cleveland Museum of Art, University Circle, Ohio

This integration process can enhance memory in several ways. First, by adding a novel element to a familiar scene, the new images are encoded more distinctly, making them more memorable. This phenomenon is known as the von Restorff effect, where distinctive items are more likely to be remembered than common ones. Secondly, this process can actually change the neural connections related to these landmarks, potentially leading to a reshaping of the memory itself. The end result is a richer, more complex memory trace that incorporates both the real and the surreal versions of the landmark.