We are all insecure in a museum from time to time. Whether you visit a neat museum room with seventeenth-century paintings or step into a heavily conceptual gallery, sometimes you don't know where to look. Or worse: how to look. We give eight ways in which it can also be done.
1. Don't read the signs
It is of course very tempting to look for an explanation, but sometimes it is a good way to skip the hall texts. Look without worrying about style or time, but try to let the artwork speak for itself.
2. Go with an audio tour
Sometimes free, sometimes paid: an audio tour is very useful. At your own pace and at your own pace, you can wander through a museum and choose the works you find most interesting to learn more about.
3. Go with a guide
An audio tour is nice, but can't answer your questions. A guide can tell you all about style and background. A work that did not appeal to you at all can come to life for you because of the enthusiasm of your guide.
4. Stand very close to a work (if allowed)
If you keep your hands behind your back and don't step over the barrier posts, you can see works of art up close. You see the material, perhaps layers that have been applied; the craft up close. It is also recommended to view a work from the side if it has a lot of relief. It almost creates a whole new work with a beauty of its own.
5. Look at one work for a long time
The average time people spend in front of a work of art seems to be about 17 seconds. But why rush through thirty paintings in one afternoon? It takes some training, but there are people who can last an hour for one painting. Challenge yourself and take on the slow art challenge.
6. Look for the therapeutic effect
Art can be valuable in many ways, even therapeutically. Two years ago, philosopher Alain de Botton placed an intervention in the Rijksmuseum. Post-its contained help texts, inspired by the paintings, such as: 'stop avoiding conflict.' You can of course also do this yourself. Is there a personal lesson in the work you view?
7. Go with a child
hildren sometimes look very differently and point out things you have not seen before. Bonus: you might just be the new favorite uncle or aunt.
8. Under the influence of drugs
Do you still have enough control over yourself that you can properly visit a museum or gallery? Try some drugs to affect your viewing experience. Who knows, you might see whole new colors and dimensions. Personally, I would limit this tip to the painting hanging above your couch.