Don't 'get' art? You may be looking at it wrong

不“得到”艺术吗?你可能看错了

Life Kit

2023-09-04

19 分钟
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Art professionals explain how to look at paintings and sculptures like an expert — and how to make the most out of a museum visit. This episode originally published January 10, 2023. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
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  • You're listening to life kit from NPR.

  • Hey, everybody, it's Marielle.

  • A little while back, our digital editor, Malika Gharib saw this viral TikTok video of a young woman looking at an oil painting at an art museum.

  • Titled the execution of Lady Jane Grey.

  • It tells the story of the final moments of Lady Jane, who is beheaded for treason at the age of 17.

  • In the painting, she's blindfolded and unsteadily feeling her way toward the chopping block.

  • And I thought that it was kind of incredible how you can see this look on the TikToker's face, how moved she was by the painting.

  • Even though it was hundreds of years old, she was able to relate to something in the piece of this woman being executed, and I wanted to feel that kind of depth of emotion, too.

  • When I look at art, I kind of felt jealous of her almost.

  • Malik is an artist herself, a cartoonist and a graphic novelist, and she spends a lot of time thinking about art.

  • But I think there's a difference between just, like, looking at art and connecting with a piece of art, having a deep emotional connection to a piece of art, where it moves you to maybe tears.

  • The truth is, when Malika went to a museum, she'd pay, like, $30 and then wander around feeling stressed, like, I have to get my money's worth.

  • Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by how much information I'm getting at the museum.

  • Like, am I supposed to read every plaque?

  • Am I supposed to look at every piece of art?

  • And because of all those overwhelming feelings, like, I just.

  • I never have a good time at a museum.

  • What she wanted was the chance to be changed by a piece of art.

  • You know, she wanted to have one of those life altering, perception shifting experiences like that Tiktoker, or at the very least, to have a good time.

  • On this episode of Life Kit, which first aired in January, Malka learned how to do that, how to look at art, navigate a museum, and have a meaningful experience.