Today I’m going to MoMA with a purpose: the challenge is to really look at a work. I mentioned a Slow Art event at MoMA a while ago. It asked participants to pick one or two works and just look at them from 15 minutes to an hour. I don’t think I can handle an hour–so I’m aiming for 30 minutes.
But now I have to choose what to look at for that long? I’m tempted to choose something in the Monet’s Water Lilies exhibition, because it will be big and pretty and I don’t know that I fully appreciate Monet.
I’ve also been checking out the permanent collection. Of course, I can’t go wrong with a Picasso. The collection has a magnificent collection of Odilon Redons–but they don’t seem to be on view. I love Klimt’s The Park, but I’m afraid I would get bored with it.
Of course, maybe I should choose something less well known. If they had Cy Twombly’s Four Seasons up, I know what I would choose (it’s another absolutely beautiful set of seasonal paintings.) I have quite the penchant for landscapes this morning. A portrait would also be a nice choice, because you could make up stories about the person. Ah well, decisions, decisions.
Anybody have any ideas?
I know what I would pick… I would try to find this smallish Mondrian oil on carboard painting of sky and sea… Can’t get it out of my mind…
It’s probably too late now, but I’d recommend anything by Henri Rousseau. The Sleeping Gypsy is a personal favorite.
I think I may try and do this tomorrow at the National Gallery. If I sit on one of their comfy couches in front a painting reading a book but looking at the painting for a total of 15 or more minutes over the course of an hour will that count? Or do I have to stare at it for 15 solid minutes?
I would have to choose something figurative I think. Although I appreciate abstraction, I think I would need the detail to get me through.
I chose a Monet–really for the comfy bench in front of it.
Thomas, I think the point is to try to look at the painting for as long as you can and learn how it changes your experience of the painting, but whatever works. I think that sounds like a lovely morning too.