Whether visiting a blockbuster exhibit or a small gallery show,
viewing art often means facing inconveniences: crowds, limited
time, even your own exhaustion. Here's how to get the most out of
the experience, whether at home or abroad, no matter what you may
encounter.
Steps
- Make a complete walkthrough of the exhibit to get an overview
of the show. Take note of works that particularly appeal to you,
but keep moving on this initial tour.
- Go back through the show, pausing to investigate those works
that struck your fancy. Sometimes shows have an intended viewing
sequence, which will help answer questions you might have about the
show's meaning. Curators (people who pick the works, and help
arrange them in a gallery) are always aware of the sequence with
which you will view works, and definitely take in mind how the
first works you see entering a space will inform your response to
the whole show.
- Read wall labels as much or as little as you like. These notes
can help explain things, and often totally transform your response
to the piece. Sometimes, just understanding what a work is made of
can help form new understandings, for instance: it looks like
thread, but it's really made of metal.
- Take advantage of any work of art with few or no viewers in
front of it. View the art up close, and also from afar. Note how
your distance from the work changes your perception of it.
- Skip those works that are crowded by viewers and return to them
later when the crowd has moved on.
- Sit before a work of art that interests you whenever a bench or
other seating is available. Take time to savor the work, but never
feel like you have to stare at something you don't like.
- Take one last look at your favorite pieces before you leave the
show.
Tips
- Choose an exhibit that appeals to you. Read newspaper and
magazine art listings or museum brochures, or stop at a museum
information desk for an overview of what's on view.
- Arrive at the show at least two hours before closing time
because if it's good, you'll want to linger.
- Start your visit when you have a good amount of energy, and a
relatively full stomach. If you're even slightly hungry, fortify
yourself with a snack before you start.
- Stop in the museum shop to peruse the show?s catalog, or visit
the gallery?s front desk to read any reviews or other printed
material about the work -? but only after you've viewed the show.
Galleries are always happy to show you artist statements, and even
biographies in some cases - often these materials help clarify
things, and also will help you to remember what you've seen.
- Take a guided tour with a docent, or the same tour with a
different docent--every tour and every docent is different. Be sure
to ask them questions as you will probably be surprised with their
answers. Often, the more you learn about a work of art, or about a
show, will help you to forumulate a more comphrensive response.
Often, understanding what is most important to an artist will help
you understand your reactions to the work.
- Never feel like you can't or shouldn't ask questions.
