“The only way to understand art is to go to a museum and look at it,” French painter Renoir suggests. But once inside, this is easier said than done. What do you do when the label simply reads “Untitled, 1973”? How do you react to exhibitions dominated by white male artists? How to Visit an Art Museum is a pragmatic and imaginative handbook which shows you the sense and nonsense of museum etiquette. The original edition (2014) became a bestseller, inspiring thousands of readers worldwide to pursue a truly rewarding museum visit. This expanded edition offers newly added tips that let you tackle current challenges such as the male gaze, fossil museum sponsors, and the lack of diversity on gallery walls. Now more than ever, the art museum is a place to question what you see. Find out how you can use museum guards to your advantage. Learn how to relate to art from male artists who treated their muses as scum. Explore how kids are able to offer you glimpses of the world that’s hidden behind an artwork. How to Visit an Art Museum shows you how a little courage and creativity can make your museum visit truly worthwhile and truthful. Because, ultimately, the art museum is what you make it.
Johan Idema is director of the ArtPublic Foundation and a passionate promoter of innovation in the art world.
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“ In a witty and intelligent way, Idema invents all possible ideas that could make museumgoers’ experience fuller.” —Books on Art