Spectator is an Artist Too: How we Look at Art, How we Behave Around Art

Watching people interact with art is just as entertaining, inspiring, and instructive as observing the art itself. This book encourages viewers to consider both the work and the response, as artists create, but the audience completes the picture. Art museums are also changing, with a shift towards more casual and creative responses, driven by a new breed of Instagram-friendly museums worldwide.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 22 October 2020
Publisher: BIS Publishers B.V.

Observing art is a truly captivating and enriching experience that offers entertainment, inspiration, and instruction in equal measure. It goes beyond simply appreciating the visual beauty of a work of art and delves into the intricate dynamics of how people interact with it. This book has the potential to revolutionize our approach to art, urging us to constantly consider both the artwork itself and the response it elicits from the viewer.

Artists create, but it is the audience that completes the picture. A Spectator is an Artist Too is a visual essay that explores the fascinating behavior of humans when confronted with art that is immensely beautiful, challenging, or puzzling. While art historians primarily focus on studying the objects themselves, it is equally important to examine how these objects are received and interpreted by the audience.

The book also sheds light on the evolving landscape of art museums, as they increasingly attract diverse audiences. The way museum visitors respond to art is undergoing a significant transformation, moving from a more formal and scholarly approach to a more casual and creative one. This shift is driven by the rise of Instagram-friendly museums worldwide, which are attracting experience-hungry visitors with immersive exhibitions defined by their Instagrammability.

One of the key observations made in the book is that the way we engage with art is becoming more casual and creative. Visitors are no longer bound by traditional boundaries and are encouraged to interact with art in new and innovative ways. This includes taking selfies, creating art installations, and engaging in interactive exhibits. However, this shift towards a more casual approach can also lead to a more swift or even banal response to art. Visitors may be more inclined to quickly scan a work of art and move on, rather than taking the time to fully appreciate and contemplate its meaning and significance.

Another interesting aspect of the book is the rise of Instagram-friendly museums. These museums are designed to cater to the needs of the Instagram generation, who are increasingly seeking out immersive and visually stunning experiences. They offer interactive exhibitions, immersive installations, and social media-friendly spaces that encourage visitors to share their experiences on social media platforms. This has led to a blurring of the lines between art and entertainment, as museums are now competing with other entertainment venues for the attention of visitors.

However, while the Instagram-friendly approach has its benefits, it is important to consider the potential impact it has on the art-viewing experience. Visitors may be more focused on capturing the perfect Instagram shot than fully immersing themselves in the artwork. This can lead to a superficial understanding of art and a lack of engagement with its deeper meanings and emotions.

In conclusion, observing art is a truly entertaining, inspiring, and instructive experience that offers a unique perspective on human behavior and the world around us. A Spectator is an Artist Too provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of art museums and the changing ways in which we engage with art. By examining both the artwork and the response it elicits, we can gain a deeper understanding of the power of art and its ability to inspire, challenge, and transform us.

Dimension: 200 x 170 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789063695903