Can a pigeon judge "good art" from "bad art" in the same way as a person? A fascinating new study by Japanese researchers says yes.
June 25, 2009 / TOKYO (AFP) — Pigeons may sometimes appear to randomly target city sculptures with their droppings, but according to a new Japanese study they also have the potential to become discerning art critics.
Researchers at Tokyo's Keio University say they have found that the birds have "advanced perceptive abilities" and can distinguish between "good" and "bad" paintings, recognising beauty the way humans do.
The team -- which previously published research saying that pigeons can tell a Monet from a Picasso -- was seeking to find out whether the animals may also be able to prefer one to the other. For their experiment, the scientists took paintings by elementary school children and selected those that were commonly deemed to be "good" and "bad" by teachers and a control group of other adults.
Keio University in a report clarified that the research "did not deal with advanced artistic judgements." "But it did indicate that pigeons are able to learn to distinguish 'good' or 'beautiful' paintings the way an ordinary human being can," it said.
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Researchers at Tokyo's Keio University say they have found that the birds have "advanced perceptive abilities" and can distinguish between "good" and "bad" paintings, recognising beauty the way humans do.
The team -- which previously published research saying that pigeons can tell a Monet from a Picasso -- was seeking to find out whether the animals may also be able to prefer one to the other. For their experiment, the scientists took paintings by elementary school children and selected those that were commonly deemed to be "good" and "bad" by teachers and a control group of other adults.
Keio University in a report clarified that the research "did not deal with advanced artistic judgements." "But it did indicate that pigeons are able to learn to distinguish 'good' or 'beautiful' paintings the way an ordinary human being can," it said.
Read the Full Article >>
______________________________________________________
Discuss this story here! Leave a comment and share your thoughts.
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