The MOMA, the Museum of Modern Art, is a self-proclaimed collection of modern works of art. Yet what does this very title (and consequent institution) convey to us, the viewers, about what modern art is? The name of the museum already impresses upon us the idea that the works it houses are of relevance in today’s world, or at least were produced in a recent time. Furthermore, it suggests that the selections on display are, in fact, art. The authority of such an institution of art in making these claims is something to be critical of. Not in a cynical way, but rather in an analytical way. We must decide for ourselves what we consider is relevant, or meaningful, or simply what is even art. In most cases, the works in the museum will prove to be significant in one way or another. Yet we should make this judgment for ourselves, and not assume this simply because it is in a well-renowned art museum.
What I have learned from “Ways of Seeing” by John Berger and “A Short Guide to Writing About Art” by Sylva Barnet suggests that this setting itself poses challenges and insights into how we may view these works of art.
Barnet suggests that museums decontextualize art (p.30) by removing works of art from their original settings (p.30). While galleries may isolate a piece to allow a clearer viewing, it may deprive the piece of some of its meaning. Thus, when I view the exhibitions at the MOMA, I will strive to look deeper into the piece as a part of culture, and society. Perhaps by reading the description or other material I will be able to further understand the piece as it may have meant to be. However, Berger brings up the possibility that captions or other writing that accompanies art may shape our understanding of the piece (p.28).
Using an example in the book by presenting an image with and without a caption, Berger makes a point about how “the image now illustrates the sentence” (p.28). As the setting for these works will be in an art museum, it is likely that the caption may be biased in its perspective as being part of an art collection rather than a setting the work may originally have been intended to be in. Or, the accompanying text may send subliminal messages that are conveying ideas about power and modern society. Berger noted that “. . . art makes inequality seem noble and hierarchies seem thrilling. . .” (p.29).
Aside from the setting of the art pieces, Berger and Barnet’s texts have also influenced the way I plan on viewing the exhibitions at the MOMA by making me attune to the significance of all the decisions the artist made in making the work of art. From the choice of material to the subject matter to the specific details included. Through this analytical observation, one is able to look past the work as an aesthetic piece, and as a reflection of not only the historical time period, but also of the individual artist’s life (which may provide some insight into the cultural attitudes of the time). In this way, we can for ourselves judge the value of a piece for ourselves based on its insights into what we consider to be important (i.e. insights on cultural attitudes, historical accuracies), and not so much on the market value of the piece which is already implied by its position in the MOMA. Berger provides an example of how one may go about this process by illustrating the process of “mystification” (p.15).
He brings up Hals, “a destitute old painter who has lost his reputation and lives off public charity” (p.16). Hals’ paintings of the Governors and the Governesses of an Alms House is analyzed not so much through an aesthetic lens, but through an anthropological lens. Berger notes how the painting may be distorted due to the relationship between the sitters and the painter. Thus, in viewing works at the MOMA, it will be insightful to consider what aesthetic choices suggest about the artist, society, and culture at the time. In viewing artwork in this way, we can relive that period of time. Through this vicarious experience, we can better understand the rhetorical argument made by the artist and appreciate the art as an insight into humanity rather than just an aesthetic work.
