study guide

Tips for Seeing More

Contemporary art museums provide a platform for the expression and exchange of new ideas. Artists are creative and curious people who reflect upon the world around them and translate their thoughts and ideas into objects and experiences that can transform the way others see the world. When you come into an art museum, come with an open mind.

There are three easy rules to follow in any art museum:

1. Don’t touch the objects on display (unless a sign says you may).
Over time the oils and salts on our hands and fingers can break down even the hardest of materials, such as wood, stone, bronze and other metals. The role of every museum is to preserve objects for the enjoyment of future generations. If each of the thousands of people who visit an art museum were to touch the objects on display, they might not last even one generation.

2. Read the signs and labels accompanying the artwork.
They are there to help you understand the objects on display. Some people like to look first and read later. This way you can form your own opinions about the works and then see what others had to say. Oftentimes a title can give you clues about what the artist was thinking when s/he was making the artwork. Labels also give information about what materials the artist used to make the artwork, and when the artwork was made. Curators often post more information about what the artworks have in common, the history or style of the art, or details about the life of the artists. Sometimes there are brochures written about the exhibitions, or books (catalogs) with more in-depth information and photographs of the artwork on display.

3. Talk (quietly) about what you see with others.
Each person has their own way of seeing art. Viewers bring their own memories, knowledge, ideas, and feelings to the art museum. All of these things together influence how someone reacts to a work of art. By sharing your reactions to the art with another person, you may see something you never noticed before. Museums are not libraries, so talking is encouraged, but museum galleries can also be contemplative places where people like to quietly reflect upon what they are seeing. Now that you know the three rules for visiting an art museum, here are some tips to help you see more while you’re there:

Artwork can be divided into three categories:

Representational or realistic – this is artwork that looks just like what it is in real life. The viewer can easily identify the objects in the picture or sculpture, and the colors are realistic. Even objects that don’t exist in real life can be portrayed in a representational or realistic way.

John Giarrizzo and Erika Howrey Clark, from the series In Time, oil on hand-stitched linen, 2006	Haley Hasler, Trickroper, oil on linen, 2006

Abstract – This is artwork in which you can identify a familiar object, place or person, but the artist has changed the shape, colors or some other part of the object so it’s not exactly how it would be in real life. Artists might change the way a thing looks to give a different feeling about the things in the picture.

Jennifer Scott McLaughlin, Coral III, oil on panel, 2007

Non-representational – This is artwork that does not look like any particular object in real-life. Typically the artist is interested purely in the colors, shapes, lines, textures or other aspects of the art materials themselves. They might also be trying to portray things that can’t be seen, such as music or emotions.

Corey Drieth, Newborn, guache and charcoal on wood, 2007	Erick C. Johnson, Wedge, metal, glass, 2007

Questions to ask yourself while you’re looking:

Do you like the artwork?
Ask this question first, and respond on a gut level. Quickly, does the work appeal to you visually? Is it beautiful? Is it compelling in some way? Does is grab and hold your attention? After this initial assessment, try these other questions to investigate further.

Does the artwork tell a story?
Do you see clues about what might be happening in the artwork? What might have happened the moment before, or what will happen next? Does the artwork remind you of anything that has happened in your life, or something you’ve seen before? Sometimes even abstract or non-representational artwork can evoke a story just from the colors, lines and shapes.

What colors, shapes, lines and patterns did the artist use?
Do these things together convey a feeling? Oftentimes people have similar feelings about certain colors. Warm colors such as yellows, oranges and reds make people feel strong emotions such as anger, passion, happiness or high energy, while cooler colors such as greens or blues make people feel calm, peaceful or even sad. Soft flowing lines can give a different feeling than sharp, jagged lines. Do patterns repeat quickly or slowly, often or not? Patterns can set up a rhythm that adds to a particular feeling about the artwork. Do these elements combine to convey a feeling, message or story?

What was going on in the world at the time and place the art was made?
Artists can make work that is personal or that relates to issues that are common to people living at a particular place and time in history. The labels should say when the work was made and this information might give you a clue about what the artist was thinking about while making the art.

Are there any symbols or secret messages hidden in the artwork?
Look closely for pictures or messages that may have double or hidden meanings. Sometimes artists leave visual clues that may help you interpret the artwork. Many times art can have many different meanings to different people.

What kinds of choices did the artist make for this piece of art?
Look at the materials selected by the artist. Oil on canvas? Found objects? New or experimental materials? The artist may only work in one type of medium, or s/he may carefully select materials that further express a message behind the work.

Do you agree with the message in the artwork? Was the artist successful?
Sometimes the artist has a definite message or is telling a story about something that is important to the artist. Even if there is no ‘story,’ the artwork should be successful in conveying a feeling or idea. Did the artist make choices that convey the ideas successfully? Was the artist successful in making you think about something in a new way?

Ask again: Do you like this artwork?
You won’t like every artwork you encounter in a museum. The important thing is to come to the artwork with an open mind, think about what you are seeing and how you are reacting to the work. If you like it, why? If you don’t like it, why not? These questions can help you build your own visual vocabulary, and image bank. Over time, you will learn to see more, and get more from what you’re seeing.

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