As I moodled about what I wanted to do on artist dates I came across the website for the San Jose Museum of Art. They very helpfully offer a list of questions to use when looking at artwork. Not that an artist date must be at a museum, of course, although it is one destination to consider. I’ll probably go to a museum sometime during this process (and, I hope, after!). But these questions looked so juicy I am posting them now.
If you’re a little unsure of how to get started, here is a list of questions that might help. Consider one or two questions, or use them all. Take them in order, or jump around — whatever seems to work best. And if you devise your own looking strategy, tell us about it so others can give it a try. Have fun!
- What are you looking at?
- Why did you stop here?
- What’s the first thing you noticed? Why?
- What colors, shapes, and lines are used?
- How do they lead you through the work?
- What are your head and heart telling you?
- What or who are you reminded of?
- Does it move you? How?
- What do you see that makes you think and feel this way?
- What’s it made of?
- Does it absorb, generate or reflect light?
- Where is it still? Where do you see movement?
- What “rules” have been followed, bent or broken? To what effect?
- Who made it?
- Who was it made for?
- Where were you when it was made? Where are you now?
- What else was happening in the world when it was made?
- What do you see that reflects or rejects its time?
- How does it differ from your experience? Are you reflected in this work?
- What do you see?
Excellent questions/thought starters. Thank you.
If you ever want to look at some really hardcore thought about conceptual content in art, try an essay by Thomas McEvilley, called “On the Manner of Addressing Clouds.” It’s also presented as a chapter in his book Art and Discontent. It’ll open your mind way up to content that you’ve never seen before, in all kinds of interactions. Or it might just make you yawn, I suppose. It’s one of those intellectual things that you have to be in the mood for.
Thank you, Jacqueline. I quick perusal indicates there’s only one copy, checked out by a grad student probably, at San Jose State U. I found a copy on the web, but it’s entirely in Spanish, which would slay me to read. The Google translation butchered it and was incomplete. I’d consider buying it used but am not sure I’m that committed to it, esp. with my huge reading backlog. I’ll keep my eyes peeled.
Excellent listing for which I can see broader application than art. Thanks.
BTW, “moodled” is a new word for me. Can’t seem to find the meaning anywhere. Can you help?
Winston, it’s a word (made up?) by Brenda Ueland. The full quote in context is here. I like how the word feels in the mouth, and sounds like what the action is.
I have to say that an art gallery or museum is a wonderful spot for an artist’s date, especially for a Canadian chick mid-winter (although things are very mild this year)! These are excellent leaping-off points for visitorss. I once worked as a receptionist at a local art gallery, and I used to watch so many people passing through without lingering long, not knowing where to begin or how to get comfortable with the sometimes challenging pieces.