Crazy, beautiful color by Mitchell. Earlier this year, I read the biography of Mitchell, "Joan Mitchell: Lady Painter by Patricia Albers" and it was interesting to read of her supposed condition called Synaesthesia.
I write supposed only because it's a condition that isn't entirely recognized in the mental health community, sort of like carpal tunnel syndrome, or TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), at least, the health insurance companies don't recognize it.
This is to say, just because THEY don't recognize (pay for) it, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
This is to say, just because THEY don't recognize (pay for) it, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Synaesthesia is a neurologically-based condition in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway.
The sensory links are intermixed. When a person senses something, automatically, another sensation lights up. For example patients see letters in different colors, some might see music, or taste words, days of the week have personalities, and some experience to see time, etc.
I was surprised to learn of the condition having studied art history I never heard it mentioned once in any class or book. To me, it reads as having a wonderful gift, especially as an artist or a musician. You wonder if more artistic types possess than is noted.
Mitchell suffered from depression, too, so it isn't to say her life was all roses. She loved to play classical music loudly as she painted. Makes sense now.
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