The museum felt like one long massive warehouse, light pouring in to the long halls, big enough to house some of the largest art installations I've ever seen. I was impressed. I know absolutely nothing about contemporary art. But I like to look at it. I like that it makes me think. And I'm fascinated by the things we say. The things we hear.
This is a sampling, in no way meant to trivialize the exhibitions we saw. Only to say, this was ordinary conversation. This, in my opinion, proves that we saw some incredible things.
Museum Attendant (into walkie-talkie): Yes. There are other spiders. (long pause) No. Ours is the third largest. There are two other spiders that are much bigger.
Me (to Tyler): You could be a geometric minimalist.
Tyler: You think so?
Me: Absolutely.
Exhibit features a framed piece of paper with instructions. I point to the stack of identical papers beneath it.
Me: It says I'm going to have an erotic experience if I follow these instructions. Do you think I'm supposed to take the instructions home?
Tyler: I think it's part of the exhibit.
Me: But it's just a stack of papers. Don't you think you're supposed to take it home?
Tyler: I don't know. I don't think so. I really think it's part of the exhibit.
Me: How do we know?
Tyler: We don't.
Tyler: What was your favorite exhibit?
Me: I liked the sculptures you can wear.
Me: So what is this made out of?
Tyler (looks at brochure): Plaster. Wax. Wood. Excrement. And Urine.
Me: Oh. But-- Oh...
That sounds like a very interesting trip! Art is so interesting, even when it's made out of excrement. (well maybe not.)
ReplyDeleteEwwwww. my answer to the question in your title is probably, "when I don't like any of the art!" but that would reveal me to be small minded! Nevertheless, it's kind of true. I do find it thought-provoking, but not always in a good way! Sounds like you had a really lovely day though. :-)
ReplyDeleteModern art is always very interesting. Wish we had a decent museum around here.
ReplyDeleteLol! There's some modern art that is fabulous and others that leaves one wondering. Maybe they are intended as jokes for philosophers of art? Hubby and I went to the Barbara Hepworth museum and it tickled us when we read a comment by a school child who asks why everything she made had a hole in it!
ReplyDeleteTo each their own I guess. I've heard that all art has to to is elicit an emotional response from us. I disagree. Art must elevate. Maybe I'm simple minded but how is urine and excrement elevating? But I will say the spider is pretty cool :)
ReplyDelete