Artist With Synesthesia ‘Sees What She Hears’ And Turns It Into Incredible Works Of Art

Melissa McCracken is a synesthetic artist who sees what she is hearing.  When she listens to a song every unique element of the song has a color representation in Melissa’s mind.  She has decided to share what she sees with the world through her incredible art peices.

Melissa’s unique ability combines the beautiful colors she is seeing in her mind from music to the artistic world in the form of oil and acrylic on canvas.  She has truly found an awesome way to express all of her feelings and thoughts in the form of beautiful and vibrant works.  As you look at these peices of abstract work it bring a unique sense of curiosity to the mind and heart.    In a sense it is seeing the world through another persons reality.

Synesthesia

Synesthesia is a unique neurological phenomenon where 2 or more senses combine into one.  In greek the work syn means together and aisthēsis means sensations.  One of the most incredible things about this condition is that most people who have it don’t consider it a dissorder or problem.  Instead they consider it a gift or a super power.  It gives them the ability to experiences senses in a new way and also experience new unique senses that other people only dream of.

Examples of this are broad but if you can image any two senses coming together to make a unique new sense you will get an idea of how incredible this is.  For example senses may include seeing smells in the form of color or tastes having musical tones.  There are nearly endless possibilities with this one.   Is it possible that in the future we will all have combined senses?  What will happen once we start cominging more then just two senses?  Maybe this is the future mental evolution for man kind.

Melissa is giving us a sneak peak into this incredible new world.

“As a synesthete, the music I hear is translated into a flow of texture and colors. Synesthesia, although not disorientating, can sometimes leave me at odds trying to describe what I can see to others,” Melissa wrote. “Having synesthesia isn’t distracting or disorienting. It adds a unique vibrancy to the world I experience.”

Whatever you think about these new and unique senses this is some incredible abstract art.

Radiohead – Lucky

David Bowie – Life On Mars

John Lennon – Imagine

Prince – Joy In Repetition

Jimi Hendrix – Little Wing

Soulive – Interlude II

John Mayer – Gravity

Led Zeppelin – Since I’ve Been Loving You

Smashing Pumpkins – Tonight, Tonight

Radiohead – Karma Police

Glass Animals – Flip

Airhead – Callow

I recommend finding a couple of your favorite pictures and listening to the song on youtube while looking at the image.  See if you feel that the colors match what you are hearing and tap into the world of a synesthete.  Let us know about your experiences in the comments below. 

Sources: the-open-mind.com, melissasmccracken.com, synesthete.org, wikipedia.org