travis_shibata-bardaroDESMA9

     Up front, Rita McBride’s Particulates exhibition looks rather simple, composed of several bright green lasers that make a beautiful helical shape on a dark background as can be seen in Figures 1 and 2. In part, Particulates is simply just that, made to be aesthetically pleasing to allow the individual to be relaxed. Figure 1 (left) and Figure 2 (right): Photographs of Rita McBride’s Particulates at varying angles (Shibata-Bardaro). Figure 3: Image of me standing in front of Particulates (Shibata-Bardaro).      This is the power of the arts. Numerous studies support a causal relationship between art and happiness. One study conducted in Germany in the late 1900s revealed a clear positive relationship that those who attended cultural activities and interacted with art more frequently were likely to report a higher level of happiness (Frey). The sciences and mathematics seem to lack this strength at least for many including myself partly. According to ...