How to visit a museum

“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? Where to look when a painting offers you a picturesque yet undisguised view of a giant vagina? And how to react when the museum guard stares at you for far too long?

In his book “How to Visit an Art Museum” Johan Idema offers new perspectives on how to behave once you’re inside a museum. Whether you’re a first-timer or a frequent visitor, the book shows you the sense and nonsense of museum etiquette. Idema encourages you to look outside the box and take up the challenges that art presents to us, by taking matters into your own hands. Idema also shows you how a little courage and creativity can go a long way to making your museum visit truly worthwhile.

Johan Idema is a passionate promoter of innovation in the art world. He has worked as chief curator at the Netherlands Architecture Institute, the initiator of, among others, the award-winning classical music app Wolfgang. He obtained master degrees in Arts Administration at New York University and Innovation Management at Delft University. He was awarded a lifetime achievement award as ‘New Radical’ in the Netherlands.

Watch this lecture via livestream of SG Eindhoven. This program will be streamed live to their Facebook page and YouTube channel. You do not need to book a ticket to view the livestream.