Let the silence take over: On words, inner compass, and patience

Looking at Art

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Il faut se méfier des mots (Beware of words), Ben, 1993. Belleville, Paris, France. Photo: Astrid Dick

To make a painting is not easy. To look at a painting is not an easy matter either, as it requires the viewer’s disposition and willingness to engage with it beyond words and labeling. Our brains like to pin things down, using minimum resources to move on to the next task as quickly as possible. They latch on to words. Yet the moment words enter our minds, we’re not really looking anymore.

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