A Special Place for Blog Lovers with a Touch of Science!

Credit: Portrait of Austrian psychologist Sigmund Freud (1856 - 1939) as he sits behind his desk in his study, Vienna, Austria, 1930s. The office is filled with figurines and statuettes of various origins. (Photo by Authenticated News/Getty Images)

Vienna has been the center of many cultural, scientific, and artistic movements. It is a city with a large historical heritage. One of the greatest inventions of them all was Psychoanalysis. In 1899, Sigmund Freud published his epochal book – The interpretations of dreams. That was the foundation of the greatest revolution in Psychology and one of the greatest in human history. It changed the way we understand and perceive human beings, our minds, and the world in general. Psychoanalysis gradually permeated all spheres of Art, Humanities, and Social Sciences. It presents us with an entirely new paradigm in which we have acknowledged the pivotal role played by the unconscious dynamics of our psyche. That knowledge helped us grasp some intricate and complex psychological events that were previously inexplicable and once again proved the unfathomable depths of human consciousness.

Credit: American artist, musician and producer of Haitian and Puerto Rican origins Jean-Michel Basquiat, in front of one of his paintings, during an exhibition at the Yvon Lambert gallery. (Photo by julio donoso/Sygma via Getty Images)

New York in the '80s was a turbulent artistic city. A period when many new underground contra-cultures were emerging – graffiti, rap, punk, metal, Neo-expressionism, gender, and racism awareness. It was one more time a place where many painters, writers, filmmakers, and artists would expand their creativity and enter the world of Art.

Out of nowhere, a black painter came onto the scene - Jean-Michel Basquiat. Although he lived in a progressive and rather free-minded society, rich in extravagance and peculiarities, he would face many prejudices, just because of the color of his skin. However, Jean-Michel would make his way through. From a poor graffiti artist and poet, he would become the artist with one of the most expensive paintings ever purchased – 110.5 million dollars. He lived only 27 years. Nevertheless his short career – only 7 years – he produced more than 2000 pieces of art. A talented prodigy, Basquiat is regarded as one of the most influential and recognized – unfortunately, after his death – black artists that ever lived.

Credit: Portrait Franz Kafka, around 1905; Getty Images

1. "A non-writing writer is a monster courting insanity."

2. "All language is but a poor translation."

3. "By believing passionately in something that still does not exist, we create it. The nonexistent is whatever we have not sufficiently desired."

4. "Writing is utter solitude, the descent into the cold abyss of oneself."

5. "It's only because of their stupidity that they're able to be so sure of themselves."

6. "He is terribly afraid of dying because he hasn't yet lived."

7. "I usually solve problems by letting them devour me."

Credit: Getty images

Vienna is undoubtedly the capital of western music. Not only some of the greatest compositors were born there but the city also played a pioneering role when it comes to instrument making. There are many examples of new musical instruments invented in the Austrian capital but one stands out in front of the others – the first eight-octave concert grand piano made by the Bösendorfer piano manufactory. . Established more than 200 years ago, it is not only the oldest premium-segment maker but is also synonymous with a unique sound that is prized by aficionados the world over. Each year Bösendorfer handcrafts 300 of these legendary instruments.

Image credit: www.sgemvienna.org

IX SWS Conference of Social Sciences – Sessions "When Science meets Art"

The IX SWS Conference of Social Sciences – Sessions "When Science meets Art" will focus on the possible multidisciplinary approaches between science and art in order to prove them worthy to soothe the existential conditions and necessities of society once again. We invite all of you scientists, scholars, researchers, and artists to come and become a vital part of our special section. You could participate with a presentation, workshop, or performance. Feel free to express yourselves! Let us join forces and rebuild the broken bridge between Science, Art, and Society. For, together we stay strong!