Slow Art: The Experience of Looking, Sacred Images to James Turrell

Slow Art encourages viewers to spend more time engaging with individual artworks in museums or galleries by presenting a new and distinct aesthetic field that is participatory and akin to religious practices during the ages of faith. Works by Diderot, Emma Hamilton, Oscar Wilde, Jeff Wall, Sam Taylor-Johnson, Andy Warhol, and Richard Serra shape this field.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 05 March 2019
Publisher: University of California Press

Americans typically allocate between six and ten seconds to engage with individual artworks in museums or galleries, which falls short of the desired duration. However, in our culture of constant distractions, how can we cultivate a deeper attention span? Enter Slow Art, a movement that advocates for sustained ways of looking through encounters with various media, including photography, painting, sculpture, "living pictures," film, video, digital, and performance art, as well as light and space. This approach encourages viewers to immerse themselves in artworks for extended periods, fostering a more profound connection and understanding.

Slow Art is not merely a collection of objects but rather a participatory experience that actively engages beholders to bring artworks to life. It challenges the prevailing notion that art should be consumed quickly and superficially and encourages viewers to slow down, observe, and contemplate the nuances and complexities of each piece.

One of the key proponents of Slow Art is Arden Reed, who argues that the contemplation of slow art is akin to religious practices during the ages of faith. Reed suggests that slow art offers a sense of transcendence, allowing viewers to connect with something larger than themselves and to find meaning and purpose in the world.

Through the practice of slow art, viewers are encouraged to develop a deeper appreciation for the artistic process and the creative talents of artists. They are encouraged to slow down, observe, and engage with the materials and techniques used by artists, to appreciate the nuances and details that often go unnoticed in a hurried world.

Slow Art also offers a unique opportunity for viewers to connect with their own emotions and experiences. Artworks can evoke a range of emotions, from joy and wonder to sadness and introspection. By taking the time to engage with artworks, viewers can explore their own feelings and gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

In conclusion, Slow Art is a movement that encourages sustained ways of looking and engaging with various media to cultivate a deeper attention span and a more profound connection with the world. By challenging the prevailing notion of art as a quick and superficial experience, Slow Art offers a unique and enriching way for viewers to explore and appreciate the arts. Whether through encounters with photography, painting, sculpture, or any other form of media, Slow Art encourages viewers to slow down, observe, and contemplate the beauty and complexity of the world around them.

Weight: 814g
Dimension: 177 x 252 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520300583