Comments on: Because you can’t see it all

By: Mark V. McDonnell

Mark V. McDonnell — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:03:32 +0000

First rate reply, Richard; thanks.

Some very high profile contemporary artists often wangle exhibition “terms” that approach the classical model you mention.

But even *that* seems more suggestive of a syllogism like:

Tiffany vitrine:Wal-Mart display::Serra installation:non-juried exhibition

Luxe, fetishism…

*Do* remember to post a follow-up after the excursion!

Mark V. McDonnell´s last blog post..Four Steps to Sports Success – What to strive for in training

By: Henie

Henie — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 01:07:45 +0000

As far as my son is concerned the Science Museum was a hit! The Getty is tolerable...the Met and the Louvre might be a different story all together! :~) Have fun! Henie´s last blog post..Friday Focus

By: Jay

Jay — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 00:00:07 +0000

When Tina and I lived near NYC, we went to the MET once a month for 10 years. We never saw it all, bit everytime was so magical, we never minded. What a great gift for a 7 year old..or any age for that matter- now I want to make the 12 hour drive back.

Jay´s last blog post..Life Lessons from a Japanese Tea Master

By: Richard Reeve

Richard Reeve — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 23:58:27 +0000

Hello Mark,
I think your recognition of the relationship to mall sickness and the over stimulation is indicative of the consumeristic posture in relationship to so many things. In the end, the glossing of the aesthetic potential by over stimulation never leads to the type of profound experience that can unfold when we engage with just a few works. It reminds me of the total opposite approach that was reached in the ancient world when one statue would be the focal point of a temple.

By: Richard Reeve

Richard Reeve — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 23:51:59 +0000

Hi Heather,
It’s amazing how there are those teachers along the way that give us not just knowledge, but access…Thank you for sharing.

By: Mark V. McDonnell

Mark V. McDonnell — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:19:37 +0000

A tad tangential (no child *I* know would tolerate it!): when I lived in Manhattan and had an annual pass to MoMA, I’d visit ~1x/wk to see *one* work only, taking pains to keep my eyes downcast while negotiating the maze on my way to that one work.

Might spend 45 minutes in front of my “target.” But my motivation stemmed from the phenomenon you cite, which I used to call “museum sickness.”

It’s not unrelated to “mall sickness.” I get way overstimulated there, too!

By: Heather

Heather — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:08:30 +0000

I love this strategy! Because yes, you can follow the map and go stand in front of every "important" work in a day, but you tend to glaze out after a while and things don't register any more. I remember my High School art teacher had a sort of similar suggestion when he took us up to the museum in Chicago - he told us to walk into the room, scan it and then go spend time with the painting or two that most caught our attention for as long as the class had time to be in that room. Heather´s last blog post..Learn the Chords to ‘Thank You For Last Night’ From Amy Kuney Herself!