Mental processes in the perception of abstract art

The eye structure of each individual who watches an abstract painting sends the sensations perceived from the work to the visual cortex. The brain changes this information by evaluating it with past life experiences and makes its aesthetic judgment by sending it to the limbic system. Therefore, each individual judges an abstract work with his own individuality. This thesis titled "Mental processes in the perception of abstract art" examined the functions of different disciplines such as Abstract Art, Neuroscience, Psychology and neuroesthetics in the individual's perception of abstract art (works of art). In addition, this thesis has been prepared in order to examine the common points, laws, causes, and consequences of these functions in a theoretical framework and turn them into pictorial expressions. In this thesis, during the research; A literature review was made using theses, books, journals, articles, videos, foreign sources (journals, books, articles, and theses). In addition, the research was analyzed with descriptive analysis method. In the theoretical framework of the research; In the first chapter, "The aim, importance and problem status of the thesis", in the second chapter "Abstract Art and Historical Development of it is discussed from Impressionism to Postmodernist Abstraction and Minimalism". In the third section, "Mental Perception Process and Its Response to Abstract Art" focused on Neurology and Psychology; It was created under the headings of Seeing, Comprehension, Perception Psychology, Research and Interdisciplinary Approaches and Neuroesthetic Laws Used by Artists. In the fourth chapter, under the title of "Applications and Analysis" 12 images made by the researcher were analyzed. The two analyzed pictures were examined under the framework of a picture analysis due to their organic connection with each other. In addition, ultra normal stimuli that will cause a peak shift in visual perception have been added to the studies in the light of the data of neuroscience and neuro-aesthetic laws. In the last part, the results of the applications made in the light of literature research are mentioned. Keywords: Visual Perception, Gestalt, Neuroscience, Neuroaesthetics, Psychology, Abstract Art.