Course description

The average museum visitor spends less than 30 seconds looking at a work of art. However, research shows that there are many benefits to slowing down, looking closely, and making room for deeper engagement. What are those benefits? How does one even begin to look closely? And how can we convince audiences of the power of slowing down? This course takes advantage of the diverse, world-class collections at the Harvard Art Museums to teach the principles of close looking, while taking a critical approach to this form of museum pedagogy. We read key scholarship in order to build a solid foundation for discussing and employing close-looking approaches, and then experience and assess the methods we learn about for ourselves. We explore what close looking can look like for various types of audience and imagine creative ways to engage viewers longer and more deeply. Course activities include close looking alone and in groups, informal drawing and writing exercises, active discussions, and group presentations.

Instructors

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