One of my Art History professors used to call her students Culture Vultures. We should go out into the world seeking out and “gobbling up” all the culture we can find – graffiti on the L, old manhole covers with ornate metal work, songs you hum along to on the radio. Culture Vulture is an ongoing series of finding inspiration for life in the arts and humanities – aka, my happy place.
I love art – paintings, sculptures, architecture, pottery, blown glass, I love it all. I find great inspiration and energy in fine arts. While I try to find art in the everyday, I’m lucky enough to live very close to some world-renowned art venues. And so, I found myself at the Art Institute of Chicago on a recent Saturday morning for my much-needed fix.
What I hadn’t anticipated was the Member Hour, from 10:00-11:00 when the museum is only open to members – which meant that I got to explore this place I have been to more times than I can count in a much quieter, calmer, intimate setting.
The AIC has some of the most famous pieces of art in the world and, while I always try to see something new (if you are in the area, I highly recommend Radical Clay: Contemporary Women Artists from Japan), I always – ALWAYS – visit the Impressionist galleries. I have visited some of these paintings since I was a kid. They are like comfort food to me. Unlike some art, these paintings don’t require much of me other than curiosity. But with the usual museum crowds, enjoying usually means standing in one place and taking it in from afar. However, during the members only time, I was able to get close, step back, move side to side and luxuriate in some of my favorite pieces of art.
When looking at the Monet Haystacks, I kept hearing the word “perspective” in the back of my head. What a difference a few steps backward, forward or side to side made. The shadows shifted, new brush strokes stood out, colors changed, moods altered. It got me thinking about some goals I’m working on and what could happen if I stepped back from some or stepped closer to others.
- What changes about the challenges I foresee when I shift my perspective, even just a little?
- What areas change in priority when I get really granular?
- What priorities change when I’m all the way back taking in the big picture?
- How long should I marinate in the close-up perspective before moving back to the whole picture?
- And when is it time to move on to the next painting / idea / goal / project?
This time also reminded me of the importance of quiet. Without having to navigate the crowds, I could focus on my inner voice – my inner wisdom. With free range of the museum, I could stop and ask myself, “what speaks to you about this painting?” “What draws you to this work?” and “what emotions does this evoke in you?” I could also pause and ask myself, “what next” – if I can see anything in this museum without a crowd around it, where do I want to go next? Instead of my usual go with the traffic route, I back tracked, skipped entire galleries and zig zagged my way to the next masterpiece of my private tour.
Where do you find inspiration?
How can you change your perspective?
Inquiry: Where do you want to go next?
