Congratulations! You have managed to free up a part of the day in your agenda to go to the museum. You've been really looking forward to it – after all, that exhibition had been on your watch list for a while. How is it possible that after a museum visit you sometimes feel relieved that you are outside again? As avid museum visitors, we came to the conclusion that viewing art in a museum is not without its dangers. That's why we made a list of annoyances in museums, in no particular order.
1. Amusement Park Scenes
It can strike you when the building looms in the distance: this time on this rainy Sunday afternoon was absolutely not wise to spend in the museum. Before you know the weather, however, you are stuck in a queue between a busload of tourists with selfie sticks and families with unwilling children/babies and you can't go anywhere. You vaguely remember why you wanted to go to this exhibition again, you wave your museum card around and you – once freed from the waiting crowd – look for the fastest route to a quiet part of the room. Hard work this. Tip: ignore the signage ("start here", nope) and start at the furthest room and work your way forward or criss-cross the halls. Sheep follow sheep, that sort of thing.
2. Antarctic Conditions
Have you just left your coat in a sweltering cloakroom, an icy wind blows in your face when you enter the first room. Such a pool temperature is not exactly conducive to peace of mind. Hasten quickly through the halls to keep moving. Sure, those works of art must be hung in optimal climate conditions, but isn't this a bit exaggerated? After all, those portrayed people no longer feel anything. Your hands only get warm again when you put on your coat or have a cup of tea in the museum restaurant. Will it be a strategy? Tip: tie a cardigan around your waist, just like before, just in case. Or put on a scarf that you can use as an extra layer. Or just sit it out for a while, you'll probably survive.
3. Bible-Like Wall Texts
There is a good chance that in an exhibition you will feel overwhelmed by all the effigies around you. Searching for something to hold on to, your eyes find words on the wall that take you by the hand and guide you through the jungle of color, shape and meaning. Hooray for context and background, because that often provides an in-depth layer and connection with what you see. It is less fun when the texts on the wall are of biblical proportions, or completely incomprehensible, even for people who have read something. Interspersed with jargon and concepts about which books have been written, these wall texts often leave the visitor in greater confusion. Reading also takes energy, you know. Tip: read as few texts as possible and see for yourself first, use the texts as a reference for names/titles/years. If you DO like wall texts, try to distance yourself from the text. What would the curator have meant by this? And think about it: what have you seen yourself? Nerd Tip: Make a note of interesting/difficult terms to look up later.
4. Exposure for people over 1.70 meters
Just breaking a lance for the smaller fellow man among us. It seems as if the lighting in a museum room has been placed in such a way that only people of above average height are allowed to experience a perfect interplay of art and light. If you are small(er), then you have to learn to live with paintings and photos with very annoying spots of light and dazzling reflections in crucial places. There is often no other option than to bend, bend and apply other gymnastics exercises to get a good picture of the work of art. Tip: next time add an Ikea ladder?
5. Time slots
A recent annoyance caused by blockbuster exhibitions. A spontaneous visit to a museum with a popular exhibition is almost impossible. You are lucky if you get to the cash register and there are still tickets. But before the time slot at the end of the day. There are even museums that only sell tickets with time slots purchased online. An additional annoyance: a ticket once purchased for a specific date and time cannot be exchanged. Tip: plan your visit. That's just the way it is.
6. Renovation and loan stress
Always a shame to discover that the museum of your choice is currently undergoing a major renovation. Especially when you start your visit unprepared – the dreaded 'closed due to renovation' sign haunts everyone's nightmare. The knocking of jackhammers and electric screwdrivers can unfortunately be heard throughout the building. Say goodbye to the soothing museum tranquility. No, then there's the case that your favorite work of art is on holiday in another country. Very sorry this. Tip: check the website of the museum to see if any work is planned or if works of art are (temporarily) not on display or if they are staying overnight. Extra tip: life happens to you while you are making other plans, enjoy it.
7. Other people
Unfortunately, you are not alone in the world, no matter how much it sometimes feels that way. In museums you come across the most 'interesting' types of fellow visitors, who can really upset you. This is such an inexhaustible source of wonderful annoyances that we've devoted a special list to it.
Please note: This articles had been translated using Google Translate.