Breaking the Rules: Just Look

What's the first thing you do when you enter an art museum? Do you quickly tether yourself to an audio guide or glue your eyes to the wall text? No matter your level of knowledge, I am a strong believer letting your eyes do the looking. So put down that handset, direct your gaze to the art, and resist the urge to be told what to see.

Wall texts and audio guides should be used as a reference, not as a guide. I liken them to footnotes in a book, you should look at them, but not until you've appreciated the subject at hand. If you must use a guide, use it sparingly and don't forget to give yourself some time to just look.

If you're interested in learning more about the subject at hand, use the gift shop to your advantage. Buy the book, a postcard, or pick up the exhibition guide. That way, you can do your research when you're back home. You only have a finite amount of time to actually see the genuine article and it needs to be dedicated to letting your eyes, ears, and self absorb it all. You and your memories are the best recording device you own.

A good exhibition, just like a good book, has a well thought out argument and flow to it. I always apply the "three times" strategy when I enter an exhibition. I go through one time, quickly, and get a feel for the landscape. How is it laid out? What's the progression? What are the highlights? Then I re-enter and take my time, going through it methodically, lingering where I want and letting myself absorb it all. If something interests me, then I look at the wall text to gain more information. If there's time, I like to go through a third time, putting it all together by summarizing and reflecting on what I've just seen.

While these tips are specifically meant for the art gallery, they can really apply to any part of your trip. Regardless of where you are: get out of your head, stop doing what you're "supposed" to be doing, and just let yourself enjoy.