HONOLULU — The Honolulu Museum of Art has opened a new exhibition, “Vital Connections: Art & the Brain,” which explores the relationship between visual art and cognitive health through a collaboration with the Brain Health Applied Research Institute (B+HARI). The show, running through Jan. 10, features 24 modern and contemporary works selected to provoke memory, emotion, and mental engagement among visitors.
At the entrance, visitors encounter two simulated brain scans crafted from colorful beads, representing the neurological effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and Alzheimer’s disease. Created by Canadian artist Ruth Cuthand, these pieces highlight the personal impact of brain illness, inspired by Cuthand’s own family experience, and anchor the exhibition's focus on cognitive health.
The exhibit is structured in three thematic sections, each designed to activate different aspects of brain function. The first section, “Art & Science — Perception and Memory,” includes works like David Hockney’s 1983 photo collage of Christopher Isherwood and Bob Holman, which challenges viewers to mentally piece together fragmented images. A pointillist landscape by Henri-Edmond Cross also encourages the brain to integrate detailed brushstrokes into a cohesive whole. An accompanying film by Viviane Silvera documents the intricate workings of memory through thousands of paintings and expert interviews.
The second section, “Connection to the Planet,” presents art that fosters a sense of belonging to the natural world. Among the pieces are a large photograph by Richard Misrach depicting ocean water with a figure floating, evoking calm and reflection, and glass jellyfish beads by Native Hawaiian artist Bernice Akamine, symbolizing environmental fragility amid climate change concerns.
The final section, “Flow: Multisensory Connections,” aims to immerse viewers in a state of focused concentration akin to the psychological concept of “being in the zone.” This area features dynamic works such as a swirling dot painting by the late Yayoi Kusama, a brass and wire sculpture by Ruth Asawa, and an interactive video by Ming Ren that responds to the movements of onlookers.
Museum visitors who participated in B+HARI programs reported strong emotional responses to the artworks. One participant described sensing feelings of love, loneliness, and grief while viewing Fairfield Porter’s “Amherst Parking Lot No. 1,” while another recounted being moved to tears by memories evoked by the same painting.
The exhibit draws on a growing body of research demonstrating that engagement with art can improve brain health and well-being. Neuroscientist Dr. Kazuma Nakagawa, co-founder of B+HARI and chief of the Neuroscience Institute at Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, emphasized the potential of art as a neurological stimulus but noted the challenge remains in determining effective “doses” and ensuring meaningful viewer connection.
The concept of "arts on prescription"—where medical professionals recommend museum visits to support mental health—is gaining traction internationally in countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, and France. In the United States, the approach remains in early stages, with pilot programs operating in several states. Nakagawa is working toward implementing a similar program in Honolulu, aiming to integrate art engagement into cognitive health care.
The Honolulu museum, known for its extensive Asian art collection, has embraced this interdisciplinary initiative to broaden its audience and explore the intersection of art, science, and wellness. The current exhibition follows a successful pilot featuring British artist Rebecca Louise Law, which also focused on nature and human connection through immersive installations.