I’ve been thinking a lot about how feelings of excitement and anxiety basically run parallel for me and often feel like similar experiences. I think this was spawned when I found old notes that I had written after going to a bunch of gallery openings about how I can tell when I like a piece of art or music or really anything else. I realized that my primary reaction is a very visceral one, a feeling of terror, optimism, and anxiety (a weird mix, right?). It’s a feeling of this tightening and swelling in my chest that strangely enough, I really enjoy. I guess it’s what you call awe? I don’t know.

When thinking about how I can tell that i enjoy a piece of art, I also realized that I certainly haven’t figured out much of what I feel about it. However, i did find some interesting articles that ruminated a bit on what art is, what it is used for, the role of museums in promoting art and thinking….etc.

a few:

Holland Cotter’s NYTimes piece on New York Museums

Jerry Saltz’ Village Voice article on art and change

Interview with Peter Eleey