参觀藝術博物館… 或如何享受觀看藝術不因博物館之過量負荷而疲勞。
博物館可以是開發腦力或幫助睡眠的好地方，這決定於你如何看待它。錯誤的觀念是，你以為在博物館裡應該看遍或喜歡每一件物品。參觀者沒有選擇性地參觀大型博物館，很可能會在離開時患上一種博物館併發重症。
英文裡博物館(museum)一字，源自於希臘文的mouseion，意思是謬斯的居所(place of the muses)。「謬斯」代表一種靈性或力量，堅信能啟發或關照詩人、音樂家、與其他藝術家－或解釋為任何靈感的來源。博物館的存在是為了提供靈感、專事收集、人的關懷、研讀與展示具有恆久價值與樂趣的物件。
不幸的是，參觀博物館的人們時常會被展覽室裡琳瑯滿目的畫作與背景資料給淹沒。有些人可能覺得在來博物館前應該具備廣泛的藝術歷史知識，甚至是在博物館的入口處可能會有一些脅迫式口吻（請走這個方向，莊重藝術創作，請勿嬉笑。）或可能是誠摯歡迎的（進來吧，放輕鬆，自在就好！）。
有一個方法可以享受博物館而不超負荷的體驗。假設你去一家很棒的餐廳試吃菜單上所有的菜色，很有可能結果是發病鬧肚子。想在餐廳與博物館裡擁有一個好經驗，挑選便是一個關鍵。
再者，借用經驗豐富的旅者初訪一座城市時的途徑，來看待一座博物館是有道理的：找出那裡有什麼可以看。查問博物館特展的時程表，就看那些展覽以及使妳感興趣的傑作。博物館的用途在重新思構空間與收藏品以符合變動的人口與變化的價值。要在一般博物館排程裡找到一部分展示影帶、各式表演與影片放映並非難事。
如果你不是專門為那一個展覽而來，那麼就依你的興趣與本能，瞄準那些你感覺突顯的、有興趣的作品與不預期的發現。
倘若你要出國參觀，『歐洲博物館巡禮』是一本對你有幫助的旅遊指南，它會帶領你遊覽多座歐洲的首要博物館。這本輕便的書集結了行遍二十多個歐洲博物館與文化中心的自助旅行。
最後，別在一間博物館待太久，要記得休息，或許你可以找個花園或是咖啡座暫時停下來休憩。參觀品質並非取決於你花在展覽館裡的時間或看了多少作品。最大的犒賞經驗來自於找到某些個與你「對話」的作品，然後坐在那裡，享受從容時刻裡的凝思。
“I dream my painting, and then I paint my dream.”
- Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)
原文(取自ARTFORM) - an introduction to the visual arts/Duane Preble, Sarah Prele
On Visiting an Art Museum
…or, How to Enjoy Looking at Art Without Being Overwhelmed by Museum Fatigue
Art museums can be mind-expanding or sleepinducing, depending on how you approach them. It is a mistake to enter a museum with the belief that you should like everything you see – or even that you should see everything that is there. Without selective viewing, the visitor to a large museum is likely to come down with a severe case of museum exhaustion.
The English word museum comes from the Greek mouseion, “place of the muses.” “Muse” indicates the spirit or power believed to be capable of inspiring and watching over poets, musicians, and other artists – or any source of inspiration. A museum is for musing, a place devoted to collecting, caring for, studying, and displaying objects of lasting value and interest.
Unfortunately, museum visitors are often overwhelmed by the many rooms full of art and background information. Some may feel that they should have an extensive knowledge of art history before they even enter a museum. Even the entrance to a museum can be a bit intimidating(“Step this way. Serious art. No smiling.”) or it can be inviting and welcoming(“Come on in, Relax. Make yourself comfortable”)
There is a way to enjoy an art museum without experiencing overload. If you were to go to a fine restaurant and try to sample everything on the menu, you would probably get sick. In both restaurants and museums, selection is the key to a positive experience.
It makes sense to approach an art museum the way a seasoned traveler approaches a city for a first visit: Find out what there is to see. In the museum, inquire about the schedule of special shows, then see those exhibitions and outstanding works that interest you. Museums are in the process of rethinking their buildings and collections in order to meet the needs of changing populations and changing values. It is not unusual to find video exhibits, performances of all kinds, and film showings as part of regular museum programming.
If you are visiting without a specific exhibition in mind, follow your interests and instincts. Browsing can be highly rewarding. Zero in on what you feel are the highlights, savoring favorite works and unexpected discoveries.
If you are traveling abroad, you will find Mona Winks to be a useful guide to many of Europe’s top museums. This lighthearted book includes a collection of self-guided tours covering the highlights of some twenty European museums and cultural centers.
Don’t stay too long in a museum. Take breaks. Perhaps there is a garden or café in which you can pause for a rest. The quality of your experience is not measured by the amount of time you spend in the galleries or how many works you see. The most rewarding experiences can come from finding something that “speaks” to you, then sitting and enjoying it in leisurely contemplation.
