Key Takeaways
- Don’t rush. Take your time when viewing art.
- Find a personal connection to what you see and feel in an art piece.
- Presentation also plays a vital part in creating perceptions.
Viewing art can be an engaging and meaningful experience, but not everyone knows how to experience art. Just glancing at the pretty pictures doesn’t help you experience art in any lasting way; it doesn’t challenge you to think about what you’re seeing. A glance does not give you the interpretation and meaning of the artwork. If you want to learn how to appreciate art, explore this five-step process from the FrameStore today.
5 Steps For A Fulfilling Art Experience
1. Take Your Time Looking
Museums and exhibits can be overwhelming, with room after room of sculptures, paintings, and more. Don’t rush through a space to say that you saw everything! The most crucial aspect of knowing how to experience art is time. Take your time to study an entire work before moving on. Pay close attention to details and ask yourself what you notice that might make the piece special.
An easy way to ensure you’re taking your time to experience art is to give yourself 30 seconds to look at a piece before turning away and trying to remember every detail you observed. Now, turn back. What did you miss?
Many pieces will have a unique interpretation and meaning, because we all see things differently. Our perspectives will always differ because we come from various backgrounds and have our own thoughts and opinions. This affects how we appreciate art.
2. Describing What You See
One of the best ways to experience art is to describe or write down what you see. Consider the shapes, colors, materials, composition, lines, and subject matter of the work. How do the physical details of the piece come together to create art? Ask yourself how the frame surrounding the work enhances the art. How do the colors work together—do they complement one another or provide dissonance? What does the medium add to the work?
3. Think About Interpretation & Meaning
When the artist created the piece, they wanted to convey something meaningful through the work. It may have been a message, a feeling, or a memory. When you look at the art, you will develop your own interpretation and meaning, which is a substantial part of how to experience art. This can alter your perspective on the world.
As you’re looking at the art around you, there are many things to ask yourself besides the physical representation of the work. Ask yourself some questions, including:
What is the setting of the piece? Period? Location?
What is the emotion of the work? Sad? Happy? Menacing? How do you know?
What do you think the artist was trying to say?
Taking a deeper look into the interpretation and meaning of a piece can help you develop a profound appreciation for art.
4. Connecting Art to Life
The best way to experience art is to figure out how it relates to your life. Consider whether the piece reminds you of anything you’ve encountered, and ask yourself what exactly about the work makes you think of your own life. You can also compare this particular work to others you’ve seen displayed. Are they similar? Do the different pieces relate to the same event or make you feel the same way?
5. Presentation
The presentation of artwork can also impact your viewing experience. The framing and lighting can play a crucial role in shaping perceptions. The frame can complement the piece or create a barrier between the outside world and the artwork. It could be a canvas frame or a shadow box frame. Taking the time to appreciate these little things helps teach you how to experience art, rather than just seeing the picture.
Did You Know
During the quarantine, you may not have been able to see artwork in a museum or gallery physically. However, many museums and galleries offered free online experiences, allowing you to view the art and explore its interpretation and meaning. If you appreciate art, you can visit MoMA, the Getty Center, the Natural History Museum, or LACMA virtually to view slideshows of featured art pieces and experiment with connecting to each piece.
Experience Art With The FrameStore
At FrameStore, we’ve worked with museums and exhibits throughout California to help them enhance and preserve their artwork with the perfect frame. Our expertise can help you learn to appreciate art more fully and ensure you find the ideal custom frame for a piece that hangs in your own home. Reach out to us today to learn more!