Reconfiguration of the brain during aesthetic experience on Chinese calligraphy—Using brain complex networks

Chinese calligraphy, as a well-known performing art form, occupies an important role in the intangible cultural heritage of China. Previous studies focused on the psychophysiological benefits of Chinese calligraphy. Little attention has been paid to its aesthetic attributes and effectiveness on the cognitive process. To complement our understanding of Chinese calligraphy, this study investigated the aesthetic experience of Chinese cursive-style calligraphy using brain functional network analysis. Subjects stayed on the coach and rested for several minutes. Then, they were requested to appreciate artwork of cursive-style calligraphy. Results showed that (1) changes in functional connectivity between fronto-occipital, fronto-parietal, bilateral parietal, and central–occipital areas are prominent for calligraphy condition, (2) brain functional network showed an increased normalized cluster coefficient for calligraphy condition in alpha2 and gamma bands. These results demonstrate that the brain functional network undergoes a dynamic reconfiguration during the aesthetic experience of Chinese calligraphy. Providing evidence that the aesthetic experience of Chinese calligraphy has several similarities with western art while retaining its unique characters as an eastern traditional art form.