It's okay to stare ... the slow art movement

Most people spend more time gazing into the fridge than they do looking at a work of art. Even  a masterpiece like the Mona Lisa merits only 15 seconds from the average viewer. What might we be missing? Phil Terry, whose vocations and avocations defy simple description, launched Slow Art Day in April 2008 with a party of one – Mr. Terry – at the Jewish Museum in NYC. In 2009, the group increased to four visitors at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, also in NYC. Now, Slow Art Day has increased to 89 institutions officially registered for April 27, 2013.

But you don't need to wait until April to slow down. On October 20, I attended a Slow Art Saturday program at the wonderful Milwaukee Museum of Art.  Led by the arts educator Amy Kirschke, 10 or so participants were encouraged to "discover new delights and uncover mysteries in a single painting through slow looking and facilitated dialogue with fellow art enthusiasts."

We looked at a dramatic painting depicting four figures, with two men at the center of the composition. The light focused on and radiated from a figure the group assumed to be Christ.  Each viewer had a different perspective, both literally and figurately. After silent looking and group discussion, Amy revealed the artist and the work. We had been looking at Christ Before the High Priest, painted in 1633 by Dutch artist Matthias Stom(er). Stom was a Caravaggisti (follower of the painter Caravaggio) and influenced by Gerard van Honthorst, another Dutch artist.

One of the most interesting aspects of the discussion was consideration of the "life of the painting and its purpose." Originally, one of 12 religious paintings in a church in Naples, the painting would have been meant to inspire and instruct the parishioners. In the 1770's the painting was purchased by Lord Barrymore, a member of English artistocracy, during a tour of Italy. The painting was then on display in the Lord's stately home, signifying the sophistication and wealth of the owners to all who visited the house. In 1933, the painting was sold at auction to the museum, becoming a work of art and history, with a more scholarly purpose. I need to think about how the purpose of the painting affects how it is received and perceived.

As we started our program on Saturday, Amy commented that "paintings repay the attention they are given." An eye-opening, mind-opening thought to consider as I pause throughout my day.

I encourage you to pause for art, whether in on a museum wall or on your refrigerator at home. While you can go slow on your own anytime, it's a treat to learn from Amy and the other participants. The next Slow Art Saturday at MAM is Saturday, November 17, at 10:30am.  Just rsvp to adults@mam.org or 414-224-3826.