Brain Painting: A picture painted only with the power of thought

How can you create on the computer alone with the thoughts of a painting? Without use of hands, keyboard and mouse? This is possible with a brain-computer interface. The painter wears a bathing cap-like cap, which measures his brain waves and wired to the computer. He also needs two screens: one sees on the screen, on the other hand, a palette of colors and shapes. Their symbols are flashing repeatedly on a particular pattern. Will the painter now, for example, a red rectangle on the canvas, he must concentrate on the palette on the appropriate icon. The computer recognizes his intention and implements them. Painting the Brain succeeds with a subtle process which exploits a characteristic brain response to specific stimuli.

Communication allow people with severe paralysis

Brain Painting is a by-product of the scientific work of Andrea Kübler. The Würzburg professor of psychology for over 15 years working with brain-computer interfaces. As a graduate student of Niels Birbaumer she experienced at the University of Tübingen with the beginnings of this technology. In 1996, she was there when the first time a paralyzed patient could write a letter, as he steered his thoughts with a computer. Andrea Kübler's team has the technology developed since then. Core of their work is to improve brain-computer interfaces, the quality of life of patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this disease, die off, and after the nerves that activate muscles. This paralyzes the body rapidly.

ALS patients may eventually not speak and move their muscles barely communicate them is then almost impossible. But with the support of brain-computer interfaces, they can continue to express, even in the so-called locked-in state. This means that an active mind is "locked" in an almost completely motionless body. Diagnosed with ALS in Germany every year approximately 800 people.

How did it come about that brain-computer interfaces have been discovered for the painting? The idea comes from the artist Adi Hoesle. In 2006 she was diagnosed with one of his friend, the painter Jörg Immendorf, the disease ALS.At the same time also met Hoesle Andrea Kübler. Together they drove the idea of ​​developing a painting software for brain-computer interfaces. Hoesle goal, Immendorf was also possible to continue a creative activity. But if it never came, because Immendorf died in 2007 from the disease.

From the inventor of the Brain painting, the artist Adi Hoesle, is this work. Hoesle lives near Memmingen, his homepage can be found at www.retrogradist.de

Adi Hoesle but even then began to work with Brain Painting. With it, and people with ALS Andrea Kübler developed further once the software. "Patients have really enjoyed being able to express themselves creatively," says the professor. Among other things, the Würzburg psychologists visited the sick with ALS Swiss artist Sonja Balmer in Bern: "She was totally excited to paint again and again to express themselves in their art can be."

It was exciting to connect with their work of art and science, says Andrea Kübler. In particular it looks expectantly currently accepting a world premiere: the exhibition "Rostock synapse." This shows expected in March 2012 for the first time works that were created by Brain Painting. The exhibition is organized by Adi Hoesle and the Kunsthalle Rostock, Andrea Kübler team accompanied the show in scientific terms. The "Rostock synapse" comes up with some special features: While the exhibition will also be new Brain-painting images are created - by visitors and internationally renowned artists such as Neo Rauch, but also from a locked-in patient.

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