Monet and Rembrandt? People can see how their work is elegant and their artistry is on another level of genius. Modern art? Some cannot see it.
Have you recently visited a museum and felt lost? Many thoughts may flood your head, like where do you begin? How do you approach artwork? True, it all boils down to the same question — How to appreciate art, especially if you are not an artist?
To many, museums always appear intimidating at first glance – with all the art pieces pristinely displayed in a gallery of white walls. Coupled with that, some details are enclosed with glass boxes with dazzling lights shining on the works. Yes, it is no wonder that some of you would fear visiting galleries.
Everybody has their own opinion of what constitutes art. Try these easy tips if you want to extend your parameters and understand how to appreciate them. Who knows? You might become that person who can see the appeal in any art form.
Eight Tips For Art Appreciation
1. Learn a Little Bit Daily. Learn about art every day. It does not matter how little you learn. Imagine, if you dedicated five minutes a day to learning something about art, you would have invested over thirty hours into expanding your knowledge in a year. The excellent part is that it takes no time out of your day. Try writing down what you grasp in an art journal and assess what you take throughout the year!
2. Try an Art Project. Try doing a project. You might have an idea of something you have wanted to try but have been too intimidated. Now is an excellent time to jump in and get your feet wet. It might turn out terribly, but that is not the point of this exercise. The experience would be a great way to see what it takes to make something from your imagination. Your appreciation for it will grow.
3. See Through Different Angles. Discover new ways to view the same thing. Try looking at it from different angles. Turn sideways to check what it looks like from a fresh angle. If you are good at handstands, go to the extreme and look at the art upside down!
4. Think About Your Feelings. Think about how an artwork makes you feel or not feel. Then, ask somebody else how it makes them feel. Your life experiences might come into play when you think about a painting, so that it would be an interesting discussion.
5. Accept It. Accept that you would only understand some things. You may have tried some of these ways and need more recognition to share. Acknowledge that only some are interested in the same thing, which is okay. Like, modern art.
6. Analyze One Thing. Pick one painting/artwork and analyze it. Try asking yourself these questions:
a. Who made it?
b. When did they live?
c. What were significant events that happened around that time?
d. Do you think their artwork and the period during which they lived are related? If so, how?
7. Visit a Museum. It can be classic, like the art museum that first pops into your mind. However, you could also try something fun and have a fun day exploring the exhibitions created by creative people around a particular theme!
8. Write What You Know. Write down the various types of art that you know about. Now, try the following:
a. Watch YouTube tutorials for how to do each thing you wrote down.
b. Try understanding the investment of time and money it takes for an artist to become experienced enough to do what they do.
c. Try to “hear” each artist’s voice as they convey what they do and how they got started.
Parting Words
After that, it is YOUR turn to shine! After understanding the artwork, you are ready to decide – Do you like the work? As the saying goes, “to each their own”; everyone has their preferences. It is okay if you do not like or cannot appreciate an artwork; keep venturing and exploring! You may find something else that suits you and that you understand. Are you ready to view an exhibition with a fresh perspective? Are you prepared to put your art appreciation skills to use? Come check out the art and paintings on October Sun – do check out the things they offer on their site and get to know them!
The Damsel’s Files 