June 7, 2004
Collecting: it's in the brain
Well, at least where it is taken to extremes:
A PET imaging study conducted at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute indicates the neurobiology of America's estimated 1 million compulsive hoarders differs significantly from people with other obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms.The scientists behind the study are interested in finding treatments, but I wonder if one could work in the other direction -- coming up with something that would make collectors out of noncollectors. Watch out for that bowl of "candy" at your friendly local antique shop. . . .
Posted by David on June 7, 2004 3:33 PM
Comments
Perhaps collecting is the creation of a broader artistic statement using individual objects -- insufficient by themselves -- as building blocks. With an unlimited range of individual appeal and taste (is there a universal arbiter?), the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, at least to its creator.
And we may have some stiff competition: compare the natural sculptures of Goldsworthy and MacGregor.
Who is more successful?
Posted by: Peter Shriner on June 8, 2004 12:05 AM
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