Edged Line

What happens in the mind of Paul as he perceives the voice and the light? What, as he regains his sight? Standing in for the processes within is the work of Jan van Munster († 2024). It comes from the series of Brainwaves (lit. brain waves, collоq. flash of inspiration) and is a sign of recognition and the triggering of an inner transformation.

Throughout his life, the artist Jan van Munster has focused extensively on themes such as energy, temperature, and electricity. His "Brainwaves" series, in particular, aims to make these invisible natural phenomena visible. What happens in our brains when we think, suffer, or feel joy?

Van Munster is interested in the neural foundations of thought and consciousness. He translates the electrical voltage fluctuations within the brain into jagged lines, intended to reflect the complex processes of information processing occurring in nerve cells.

A thought experiment: Is a sudden flash of insight—a "brainwave"—actually a phenomenon of light within our heads?

You can view further works by Jan van Munster at the Centre for International Light Art in Unna.