PRAGMATICALISM

trimthebits asked

Hey hi hello, I saw that you criticized how art museums encourage the dismissal of modern art pieces. I am wondering which aspects of art museum design encourages this behavior, and what could be done to improve modern art appreciation in museums.

isozyme

Imagine the modern art wing of a museum.

• Spare white walls.
  
• Intense, even lighting.
  
• Hard wooden floors.
  
• No seating.
  
• Maze-like, interconnected galleries.
  
• Small plaques identifying the artist, year and title in clean sans-serif font.
  

These design choices are all in the service of making the art museum the best possible habitat for art.  The museum is a neutral void into which we place great works of beauty to be appreciated.  The work shines.  It’s unburdened by context.  It’s alluring and impressive and an utter fucking cipher if you don’t already know why it’s interesting.

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