Viewing Art
Evelyn Shaw ’29
To anyone who has ever been dragged to a museum during precious vacation time, or forced to sit through a seemingly dull performance in an uncomfortable dress-clothes, this article can provide insight on how to better view the phenomenal human expression that is art.
The most simple thing you could do is to be curious about what you’re viewing. As Bard students, we have experience in critical thinking, and this same skill applies to contemplating art. This practice can take the form of being familiar with a cast member in a broadway show to doing lots of research on the creation of a painting you see at the MET.
The first thing you’ll observe when taking in art, in any of its forms, is how it makes you feel. The trick is to really dissect those emotions. It usually has to do with a combination of the content of the piece, past experiences, and your opinions. What does the work evoke for you? Everyone has the song (or songs) that are attached to core memories, ones that make us cry, dance, or feel safe. Whether you know it or not, that is an example of viewing art with more depth.
Exploring the more tender human aspects of ourselves can, for many people, be tough. It may not be something you want to dive into every time you encounter art. In fact it would be incredibly difficult to create a genuine emotional response every time due to the widespread art present in our day-to-day lives.
Some easier alternatives are observing the symbolism and color of a piece. Understanding what symbolism is in art is essential in uncovering its true meaning. One notable example is from the novel The Great Gatsby, in which the green light symbolizes the protagonist's inability to reach the American dream and be reunited with his true love. Noticing the symbolism of something seemingly random helps to understand the character and the reality of new money vs. old money barriers. Seeing beyond the surface helps us realize more about the world around us.
In regards to observing color in art, an amazing example is the Yves Klein Blue Monochrome (1961) to the naked eye if the work might appear to simply be a canvas covered in blue paint - nothing remarkable, right? Well, by digging a little deeper, you would find that this painting worth more than $20 million dollars is remarkable. The shade of blue that covers the canvas is International Yves Klein Blue, a one-of-a-kind blue that was developed by the artist. This information establishes a more natural curiosity and appreciation for the piece.
It is essential that whatever way you choose to view art creates the most natural relationship between you and the art. Keep in mind that art is a very broad term - you could already have this relationship with a favorite musician, building, book. Remember some of these tips next time you encounter a piece you don’t know much about. Maybe it’s worth a quick search?