Dreaming allows a daily disconnect from saturating sensory stimulation. The breaking and shrinkage of the
dendritic spines in our neurons is a slow task, one that can be nurtured by
sleep. Sleep induced forgetting can allow new connections that arise in
unexpected ways -- ways unconstrained by memory.
One insight into changes of
physiology and its affect on artistic abilities can be seen with the changes
in Willem de Kooning's paintings as he contended
with Alzheimer's disease. The paintings became less variegated and he embraced
simplicity. However, art experts considered his latter paintings to be
appropriate parts of his oeuvre. His disease had been migrating from his
hippocampi to the upper reaches of his cortical processing. However, his lower
cortical hubs, where colors and contours are processed, were thought to be
unaffected. He created in a different way.
Sleeping's effect
on dendritic spines is an interesting peek into the physiological encouragements
for creativity. Dream on!
