There's detection of color and movement and depth and texture and surfaces. The circuitry involved in all of that is complicated and needs to be worked out. Cowan, Bressloff and their colleagues are ready to continue the work. As for the origins of art, this June, Cowan will participate in a conference on this topic in Montana. Geometric patterns are a common design element in cave paintings and prehistoric rock art.
Some experts trace the prehistoric origins of art to hallucinogenic experiences.