Museums
2026-03-13
Today's entry is dedicated to this month's IndieWeb Carnival, a project where independent websites write monthly blog posts dedicated to a certain theme. This month's theme, hosted by James G., is Museum Memories.
When I think about museums, the first thing that comes to mind is all of the field trips I took to the DMA from elementary school to high school. The DMA is a great museum, and while it doesn't fully chalk up to big museum cities like NYC, Boston, or wherever else, it's got a good foothold in the art world. It's a relatively large museum with six floors (if I remember right) and tons of different galleries. There are always unique galleries being rotated throughout the year too, and overall it's a good place to spend a quiet day. I remember as a kid, my friends and I would walk through the museum mostly with an irreverent attitude. We'd poke fun at the paintings and sculptures of naked people, make a ruckus in the galleries, and generally use the space not to appreciate art, but just to shoot the shit and hang out.
I've never had a great affinity for visual art. I typically think in words, not pictures. When thinking of images in my head, all I can really get most of the time are rough lines and no colors. There's a good sense of space when I try to conjure an image, but the substance itself is harder to muster and requires deep concentration just to produce an overall rough estimation. I think that, visually, my mind would be more attuned to an engineer and less of a visual artist. Geometries are pretty easy to conceptualize, but color, shading, and details? Forget about it.
However, I can appreciate what I deem to be "good" art. From a visual perspective, I've come to understand that technical skill is important to have, but doesn't make art "good." That's a much more complicated judgment and is subjective in a sometimes infuriating way. I say this because of the old cliché "everyone's a critic." Making art can be a difficult process that requires a deep and complicated mix of craft, discipline, and intuition. Criticizing art takes substantially less effort; in the digital world we live in today, most seem unable to resist the urge to give their take, cold or tepid. The art of criticism is one that I find more interesting because I write and is more suited to my personal skill set. However, I am usually too fatigued from the constant overload of discourse that surrounds most art.
So when I think of spending time in museums as an adult, I try not to see the art from a critical eye, and instead I try to let the curators edify me in some way. I've gone to the DMA by myself a few times as an adult, and it usually makes for a peaceful and interesting day. Instead of an attitude of irreverence, I would say I feel a certain sense of equanimity when I check out the galleries. I spend my time reading all the placards on each piece of art and try to immerse myself in the history of a certain piece or period. Sometimes there will be staff present in the gallery, and I'll strike up a conversation with them about the art and their thoughts on it. Overall, it's a low-stakes way to get out of the house and enjoy a day out, barring irritation from traffic on the highway and outrageous parking fees.
Back in 2023, a few close friends and I set out on a road trip to West Texas and New Mexico. We went to places like Prada Marfa, the Roswell UFO Museum, and Canyon Road in Santa Fe. One of my more high-minded friends planned that trip, and I was thankful that he made a good itinerary for us. Looking back, it was a culturally immersive experience. We saw a lot and really did get to see some cool and interesting stuff. Of course, there was still a slight attitude of irreverence, but throughout the trip, there were also many thoughtful and insightful moments. I hope that we'll be able to do another trip like that soon.
Overall, I think that museums have become a more humble institution despite their aristocratic beginnings. These days, good art is accessible to everyone, and I think that's important. The influence it has had on my life is vast, and these days, it's one of the things I most look forward to in life. Whether it be making my art here on my website, or going out into the world and seeing what art is out there, I know that it has a deep and meaningful impact on my life and who I am.
More than anything, it reminds me every day that I'm human.
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