Slow Art and the Power of Slowing Down with Carl Honoré
04/06/23 • 45 min
1 Listener
Today on the podcast, I'm delighted to be talking to bestselling author, broadcaster, two-time TED speaker and voice of the Slow Movement, Carl Honoré.
In this episode, Carl Honoré, author of "In Praise of Slow," shares his insights on the benefits of slowing down in every aspect of life.
Our conversation centres around the slow movement, and how slowness can 'rehumanise' us in a culture that values speed above everything else.
We also discuss the slow art movement and how museums and other cultural institutions can be more welcoming for visitors who want to take a slower approach to art.
Main talking points:
- Carl Honoré's book "In Praise of Slow" and the impact it had on society and the slow movement
- How the slow movement is not just about slowing down for its own sake, but about reclaiming our humanity in a culture that treats us like machines.
- How the slow movement fits into the larger cultural conversation about resisting the pressures of a culture that values speed and productivity above all else
- How the pandemic has affected our relationship with time and speed, and whether it has led to a greater appreciation for slowness.
- How slow art can be an antidote to the fast-paced culture we live in
- How museums are finding ways to create slow environments and programmes to invite people to engage deeply with art.
- How blockbuster exhibitions (such as the Vermeer exhibition in the Rijksmuseum)and wall labels can help or hinder us in the experience we might have in a museum.
- The importance of building the muscle to observe, contemplate, and look deeply at art, especially in children
- Four ways we can all incorporate the principles of slow more fully into our own lives
Links
Download my new Slow Art Guide
Download the resource - how to look at art (slowly)
Join the Slow Looking Club Community on Facebook
Carl Honoré's website:
Useful links www.carlhonore.info
Carl Honoré on Social Media:
TED Talk 'In Praise of Slow'
Today on the podcast, I'm delighted to be talking to bestselling author, broadcaster, two-time TED speaker and voice of the Slow Movement, Carl Honoré.
In this episode, Carl Honoré, author of "In Praise of Slow," shares his insights on the benefits of slowing down in every aspect of life.
Our conversation centres around the slow movement, and how slowness can 'rehumanise' us in a culture that values speed above everything else.
We also discuss the slow art movement and how museums and other cultural institutions can be more welcoming for visitors who want to take a slower approach to art.
Main talking points:
- Carl Honoré's book "In Praise of Slow" and the impact it had on society and the slow movement
- How the slow movement is not just about slowing down for its own sake, but about reclaiming our humanity in a culture that treats us like machines.
- How the slow movement fits into the larger cultural conversation about resisting the pressures of a culture that values speed and productivity above all else
- How the pandemic has affected our relationship with time and speed, and whether it has led to a greater appreciation for slowness.
- How slow art can be an antidote to the fast-paced culture we live in
- How museums are finding ways to create slow environments and programmes to invite people to engage deeply with art.
- How blockbuster exhibitions (such as the Vermeer exhibition in the Rijksmuseum)and wall labels can help or hinder us in the experience we might have in a museum.
- The importance of building the muscle to observe, contemplate, and look deeply at art, especially in children
- Four ways we can all incorporate the principles of slow more fully into our own lives
Links
Download my new Slow Art Guide
Download the resource - how to look at art (slowly)
Join the Slow Looking Club Community on Facebook
Carl Honoré's website:
Useful links www.carlhonore.info
Carl Honoré on Social Media:
TED Talk 'In Praise of Slow'
Previous Episode
Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing Through Art with Heather Thomas
In Episode 92, I'm chatting to Heather Thomas, the Head of Learning and Engagement at the Lightbox Museum and Gallery in Woking, UK.
Heather talks about how their Art and Wellbeing programme of creative and therapeutic workshops provides opportunities for those that would otherwise not be able to access arts and heritage services.
We discuss the guiding principles behind the Lightbox Museum and Gallery's work in learning and engagement, which has always included helping people with mental health issues or those who are isolated.
We also discuss what the Open Mind project is and how it provides a safe space for individuals to come and learn something new, chat with others and engage with art.
We talk about how Open Mind tours prioritise connection over content and are wholly participant-led, open conversations that take their cues directly from the participants, not the facilitator.
Finally, we talk about the positive outcomes of the programme and the Lightbox's plans for the future.
Links
Lightbox website: www.thelightbox.org.uk
Museums Journal (Museums Association UK) article: https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/analysis/2022/11/its-time-for-museums-to-address-mental-health/
Baring report: https://baringfoundation.org.uk/resource/creatively-minded-at-the-museum/
Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/
Catalyst: https://www.catalystsupport.org.uk/
If you are struggling, please contact Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org/
Young Minds website for children and young people: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Next Episode
Exploring Slow Art Day and Slow Looking with Phyl Terry
Episode 94 of the Art Engager features another special guest, Phyl Terry, Founder of Slow Art Day.
Slow Art Day is an annual event that encourages participants worldwide to look at and discuss art slowly. To date, over 1,500 museums and galleries on every continent, including Antarctica's McMurdo Station, have participated in Slow Art Day.
I first got in touch with Phyl back in 2013 when I heard about Slow Art Day. Today, we resume our conversation 10 years later about the importance of slowing down and spending more time with art.
- Phyl talks about how Slow Art Day originated and the hour long experience he had with a painting that started it all.
- We explore about how Slow Art Day has evolved over the years and some of the unique and memorable events that have taken place over that time.
- Phyl also talks about how organisations can participate in hosting their own Slow Art Day events or how individuals can participate even when there are no events near them.
- Phyl discusses the concept of "radical inclusivity" in Slow Art Day, which promotes the idea that anyone can engage with art without the need for prior artistic knowledge, through the act of looking slowly and reflecting.
- Finally, Phyl shares their thoughts on the future of Slow Art Day and how it might evolve as a movement in the coming years.
The conversation is filled with insights and reflections on the importance of slowing down and spending more time with art. Don't miss this one!
Links
Episode Web Page (with transcript)
Download my free Slow Art Guide
https://www.instagram.com/slowartday/
https://www.facebook.com/SlowArtDay
Slow Art Day 2022 Annual Report
Episode 46 What is Slow Art Day
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