Looking at Art (Don't be Scared!)

The title of this blog refers to the fact that most people look at a piece of art in a museum for 3 seconds. One thousand one. One thousand two. One thousand three. Move on to the next one. That was fast. I'm not sure there is anything out there than can be explained in three seconds or less. Most definitely not the immensely important, rare, unique, expensive, thought-provoking, genius things that museums choose to hang on their walls. So why don't people look longer? I think its because they see important, rare, unique, expensive, thought-provoking, and genius things. Standing in front of something worth more than we can imagine, not being allowed to talk above a whisper, next to elbow-happy people who either are, or really want you to think they are, smarter than you is not the atmosphere to encourage deep contemplation. So we leave. We move on. We get a taste, enough to say we saw, but not the flavor.

I can guarantee that this blog allows for discussion above a whisper and there should be no one around to elbow you out of the way of looking. Discuss and debate. Argue or agree. Think. A background in art is not needed to participate. The great thing about art is that, despite how often a “right answer” is imposed on people, there really isn't one. Say what you think. Say what you want. Stay for more than 3 seconds. Enjoy!

For those who are a bit weary about looking at art, this video offers some good tips:

If you want to dig a bit deeper, Dan at emptyeasel.com has written a great article: How to Judge Art: Five Qualities you can Critique whether you’re an Artist or not. You, of course, can read it for yourself, but here are his main points:

There are five characteristics that ANYONE can use to determine the quality of art.

1. Beauty. This one might be the easiest determine. It's your natural gut reaction. Do you like looking at it?

Some common things that people tend to like are:

• Repeating shapes, patterns, and symmetry
• Colors, especially colors that complement or enhance each other
• Textures, both visual and physical
• Crops and compositions that focus the eye and keep the viewers' attention
• Movement of flow to guide viewers through the art
• Correct or appealing proportions of figures and objects
• Presentation and framing

2. Skill. Is the artist any good?

It is easiest to determine skill if you compare one piece of art to others

• Compare to others in the same medium. Is it different?
• Compare it to others by the same artist. Is this his/her best? Worst? Most extreme? Earliest?
• Look at the piece itself. Did s/he mess up anywhere?

3. Inherent meaning. What is the painting about? What meaning does it have?
There are five levels for meaning:

• 1. Purely representational art – Made simply for visual appeal, with no deeper intent.
• 2. Art that references other art – It “tips its hat” to some other work, possibly providing a fresh perspective or continuing a conversation that another artist began.
• 3. Art that tells a story, or evokes a specific emotion - This is art that begins to affect you. It might cause you to understand, empathize or feel what’s being depicted.
• 4. Art that makes a statement – Here the artist is clearly speaking through the work, actively promoting a cause or perhaps bringing attention to an issue that’s important to him or her.
• 5. Art that is an allegory or metaphor – This is art that contains more than one meaning, and possibly several. It use symbolic imagery or deal with more intangible human issues, and yet the artwork should still work as a visually appealing creation.

4. Uniqueness. Have you seen anything like it before?

5. Fulfilled intent. What is the artist trying to say? Have your opinions been challenged or changed? Have you learned anything new? Did you see anything unexpected? Did you learn anything?

I think what I would add is that good art has an emotional impact. It evokes a response from the viewer. Maybe it was instant or maybe you needed to analyze for a few minutes. You don't need any artistic understanding to feel something, and good art makes you feel something. You walk away different from when you walked up.

Do you agree? What do you think makes something a “good” work of art? Can things other than the art itself enhance a piece's appeal?

OK, OK lots of words. But good luck getting through all those steps in 3 seconds or less. Now we need to look at some art.