The Power of Beauty: How It Shapes Our Minds and Lives

Beauty is all around us. It can be found in landscapes, faces, fine art, grand architecture, or even something as simple as sunlight reflecting off an empty bottle. Yet, beauty itself is intangible—it exists only in our minds as a feeling of pleasure. If we were to define it, we could say that beauty arises when colors, shapes, forms, or proportions appeal to us in a way that delights the senses.

The human appreciation of beauty is ancient, dating back millions of years. Even early humans shaped their tools into symmetrical forms, not because it made them more effective, but simply because they found them aesthetically pleasing. Throughout history, beauty standards have shifted, but certain elements—such as the golden ratio, symmetry, and fractal patterns—have remained universally admired. These patterns appear repeatedly in art and architecture, suggesting that humans have an instinctive, shared sense of beauty.

The Science Behind Beauty

Interestingly, many of the patterns we find beautiful are deeply rooted in nature and have played a role in human survival. Fractal patterns, for example, are found in seashells, flower petals, waves, and clouds. Recognizing these patterns helped our ancestors predict weather, identify edible plants, and assess the safety of their environment. Symmetry, another key element of beauty, often signals health and stability in nature. A symmetrical plant is more likely to be nutritious, and a symmetrical face is often perceived as a sign of good genes and fertility. Because of this, our brains are naturally wired to find symmetrical and patterned things appealing.

Beauty also affects how our brains function. Studies show that our brains reward us with pleasant feelings when we recognize patterns that once helped our ancestors survive. This deep-rooted appreciation for beauty remains even when other cognitive functions decline. For instance, Alzheimer's patients who were asked to rank paintings by beauty did so consistently, even after forgetting the artworks themselves.

Further research supports the idea that humans have an intuitive ability to recognize artistic quality. In experiments, people were asked to distinguish between real and fake abstract paintings. The originals, created by artists like Mondrian and Pollock using structured fractal patterns, were consistently identified as more aesthetically pleasing compared to random imitations. Similarly, test subjects could differentiate between professional abstract artworks and similar paintings made by children or animals, reinforcing the idea that beauty follows certain underlying principles that we instinctively recognize.

The Impact of Beauty on Our Lives

While humans no longer rely on pattern recognition for survival in the same way, beauty still profoundly influences our well-being. Unfortunately, as we built modern cities and infrastructure, aesthetics were often sacrificed for efficiency and cost. Rows of identical concrete housing blocks, dull subway stations, and soulless malls have become the norm. However, research suggests that such monotonous environments can negatively impact our mental state.

Eye-tracking studies have shown that people instinctively focus on architectural details and ornaments, while blank walls are overlooked. Experiments using skin sensors reveal that looking at large, dull facades can cause stress and discomfort, even raising heart rates. In contrast, aesthetically pleasing environments can improve mood, cognitive function, and even physical health.

One study in a hospital found that patients who stayed in visually pleasing, newly renovated wards required less pain medication and were discharged, on average, two days earlier than those in older, less attractive wards. Similarly, research on happiness factors revealed a surprising result: people’s overall happiness is significantly influenced by how beautiful they find the city they live in—ranking even higher than cleanliness or safety.

Why Beauty Matters

Humans are wired to seek beauty—it provides us with meaningful visual information and influences our emotions, behaviors, and overall well-being. In an era where functionality often takes priority over aesthetics, perhaps it's time to reconsider the importance of beauty in our daily lives. Investing in visually appealing surroundings, architecture, and design isn't just about aesthetics—it can make our lives healthier, happier, and more fulfilling.

This discussion on beauty was created in collaboration with the creative agencies Sagmeister & Walsh as part of their exhibition on the impact of beauty. The exhibition was showcased at the MAK Vienna from October 23, 2018, to March 31, 2019, and at MAK Frankfurt from May 1, 2019, to September 30, 2019. If you're interested in exploring the power of beauty further, it’s worth checking out!