Why?
Looking is central to the experience of appreciating and learning from art. Therefore, taking time to look at and notice details that may increase understanding of artwork is crucial.
Slow-looking can be taught in basic steps to build strong observational skills. How long? What should be the focus?
The goal is to establish a connection with the artwork.
How?
These are some basic steps, but like any exercise, the more you practice, the better and more creative you get.
-
Choose an artwork: Select a piece of art to observe.
-
Consider the context: If in a museum, look at the context of the artwork, including elements like lighting and framing.
-
Start from any point: Begin your observation from any point - for example the central figure, a color, a shape.
-
Time Observation: For beginners, start by observing the artwork for 2 - 5 minutes
-
Group Activity: If done in a group activity, share experiences after the allotted time (this enriches the level of observation)
Example
I practiced this activity in the YUAG with the work “The Education of the Virgen” by Velázquez. I engaged students with their surroundings and waited until they had settled in the space. After one minute, they began to engage with the artwork. By the fifth minute, their focus was evident. I encouraged them to move from different points of view so they could notice more details. After five minutes, I checked if they were still connected with the artwork. I extended the session by a couple of minutes (educators need to be vigilant of student’s engagement levels during the activity).
After the slow-art session, students gathered in groups and shared their experiences. Each group highlighted the most relevant details from the painting.
Using this information, we started to interpret the artwork. It was like assembling a puzzle together, and by the end, we had a clear understanding of both the formal and content aspects of the painting.
Resources
Slow looking is an ancient practice, especially among mystics and religious individuals seeking to transcend the object and connect with the divine. It has been around since the ’80s. In 2004, Carl Honoré, a Canadian journalist, wrote the book “Praise of Slow”, which explores the concept in modern contexts. Jenniffer L. Roberts, a professor of the History of Art and Architecture at Harvard, is a notable reference for this practice.
I include these extra resources (also available in the library)
https://artcollection.io/blog/slow-art-seeing-more-looking-less
https://thinkingmuseum.com/2020/02/12/learning-to-look-slow-looking/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4043844/