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Art Appreciation in the Digital Age

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Last month I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. As with many of the great museums of the world, it showcases a diverse range of artwork during different periods from all over the world. Having spent a fair bit of time exploring Italy over the past few years, I naturally gravitated towards  the works of the Italian masters. I had decided that I wouldn’t have enough time to purchase an audio guide so I was just winging it around the museum. Eventually I found a room with some Veronese, one of my favourites. Not coming from an arts background, I find his work easy to appreciate – dramatic, decorative with strong use of vibrant colour. The details on his often very large canvasses are a delight to study which is what I settle down to do in this spacious and magnificent room. Suddenly, over my left shoulder there’s a loud ‘click‘, the familiar sound of a Nikon D-SLR next to my ear. Several seconds later, next to my right external auditory canal, ‘snap‘. Yep, a Canon. Afterwards I walk around the room; it’s like walking through a battlefield, avoiding camera crossfire as people take photos of the paintings and each other posing in front of artwork. Some individuals are going around in an organized fashion, pausing a second or two in front of each painting to get a snapshot, as if on an assignment to come home with the complete inventory of the museum. This sort of museum appreciation is certainly becoming a sign of the times, an example where perhaps digital photography has had a negative impact on travel. I first came across this on my 2005 Paris visit to the Louvre, an extreme example to be sure. Will anyone ever be able to view the Mona Lisa in peace again?

Now I’m aware that tourists are just enjoying themselves and it’s not hurting anyone. Nevertheless it is annoying to see masterpieces relegated to props for snapshots. Not to mention the ducking and weaving required to get out of the way so that everyone in the tour group can have their shot taken with Mr Da Vinci’s little creation. What I’ve worked out over the years is that it’s much more rewarding to study the artwork, then buy the museum book or selected postcards afterwards. These reproductions will be much much better than anything you or I could hope to snap on the way through the museum in any case.

Phew – first rant on this blog over! Next up : I will discuss my approach to photography in museums. Pardon the irony.



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