how do I have better conversations about art?
first step: have a conversation! second step: read on ;)
I am art-pilled. As in, a considerable amount of my social circle, the media I consume, the spaces I’m in (or aspire to be in) revolve around a shared passion for art. The other part, unsurprisingly for me, is probably food. Though recently, I’ve been feeling a lot of (unnecessary) guilt about not cooking or baking as much!
I’m doing my MA in Art History (though they call it History of Art around here), and the best thing from my first week of orientation has been excellent conversations that run the gamut on all things art. If you don’t believe me, see below for hysterical laughter at the Courtauld Institute’s East Wing Biennial: Embodiment.
Truly, a conversation about art with other art-pilled girlies can be pure fun. But I’ve also been thinking about what I hold to be true—which is that anyone can talk about art. Or talk through, with, and around art. Because, for me, art is the best catalyst for conversation on personal histories, the social, contradictions, love, and life itself. Connection. As the former Programs & Tours coordinator (with lots of pride) at the Block Museum of Art, we spent a lot of time learning how to construct and lead participatory, discussion-based public tours. And as a practicing facilitator of these tours, the bulk of my preparation would be on prepping discussion questions. How to ask a question with the assumption that no member of the group had any prior knowledge of art, theory, or the exhibition beforehand. And in fact, recognizing that the stakes to participate might be more challenging for some. Maybe this one visitor’s first time in a museum. Maybe someone had never been asked their opinion on a painting before. That deep-rooted fear of being ‘wrong.’
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On Questions: What did you notice?
Coming from a making and formalist background, I tend to privilege the visual, or sensory, experience first. Close looking has always been the foundation of how I engage with art because it feels, in some ways, the most accessible. My favorite question to initiate a tour is the invitation to come closer, examine, decipher, and to share something that you noticed. For those who are different-abled, this might show up as touch (art-object permitting), or auditory engagement. That’s it. What did you notice? What do you see? What did you hear? I might share an example: a rock, a dog, a tiny sliver of New York style cheesecake (lol)—to model how open this question can be. There aren’t any traps. And then, we build the comfort from there.
Asking a question that everyone can answer creates space in a discussion. Why do you think that? How does this make you feel? What surprised you?
On References: What’s the connection?
Maybe this is something only obsessively on my mind, but I’m always thinking about external references. What hinders a conversation, for me, is a lack of participation. And you can’t participate in something if you don’t know what’s going on. Context and audience matters. And coming from Art History, where the references are vast, I’m always thinking about my references. As in, oh gosh, I have no idea what that book was mentioned is—I need to add that to my reading list ASAP.
So I don’t typically like to reference something unless it’s absolutely necessary. Or, if there’s a picture I can pull up or explain what that thing is or relates to first. Minor, but, it helps having a better conversation about art sometimes. Emphasis on conversation now, reading list later.
At the same time, those references to a book you read, another artist, a place can lends so much. It’s a balancing act. And maybe in the spirit of balance, I’d like to say I’m all for the zany pop-culture reference. That viridian green you see reminds you of the TV show you can’t remember the name of but were obsessed with as a child? Maybe that opens up a conversation on art and nostalgia. Nothing is off the table if everyone can mostly participate.
Personal Experiences: Speaking from the ‘I’
Own your opinions! And leave space for others! Re: disagreement. Maybe someone needs to validate my thoughts here, or maybe I should also follow my own advice and own my “I,” but there isn’t anything more oppressive to me than a conversation where I don’t feel the freedom to disagree with someone. Art is experience mediated by the personal. I can respond to a painting one way and back it up with a million different reasons why that are completely different from someone else experiencing the same performance or work. We don’t need to agree at all. Which is kind of amazing!
Speaking from the “I” means taking ownership of and leaning into the personal as a valid way of knowing instead of assuming or generalizing anyone else’s experience with a work, or anything really! And simultaneously, I’m curious if we do disagree—where can we find common ground, if at all? And it’s okay if we don't!
Silliness! Wonder! Joy!
Self-explanatory I hope here. But many times, art is silly. Art is self-aware. Art is clever, fun, louche, comedic, a little naughty. Museums or galleries too often feel (purposely) like clinical spaces. There’s a time and place for everything, but sometimes what can animate a conversation is the reveling, with wonder and togetherness, at all the things art can do and be.
That’s it for this week! I’m working on some exciting newsletter ideas for the future. Trying to balance my life. Have an extra-de-doubly special weekend.
Thank you for reading! I’d love to know what you think. My newsletter is free—but if you enjoyed reading and feel inclined, you can buy me a coffee here.
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