Artists use synesthesia to expand their creative limits - PBS NewsHour

[TexasTowelie]

Imagine living in a world where music is not only heard but also seen. Where words have flavors, and colors have a smell. That is a reality for some people with the rare neurological condition synesthesia, and some artists are using it to expand their creative limits. Michelle San Miguel of Rhode Island PBS reports for our arts and culture series, "CANVAS."

[femmedem]

1. I've known two women with synesthesia. One was my best friend in college.

She went to a music conservatory before transferring to an art school and majoring in painting. She had perfect pitch in part because she saw certain colors when she heard certain tones.

The other makes her living as a singer, sometimes performing jazz, sometimes classical music. Her husband teaches painting in one of the state colleges.

[bif]

3. A friend's aunt could see colors

when she listened to music. I never met her but it sounded fascinating.

[SheltieLover]

2. Kicking for visibility