Back in my art gallery days, I spent many pleasant hours with visitors just sitting and talking in front of a work of art. If we sat together long enough, the conversation would inevitably wander from discussing the painting to talking about other things. Yet even as we were chatting, the art would be sitting in front of us exerting its presence, seeping into our consciousness, its subtler details slowly emerging, and often changing the way we saw the work. Those experiences helped me to understand the connection between art and spirituality. “Slow art” - taking your time looking - allows us to see differently. Sharing what you see in the company of others adds an extra layer of insight. “Slow art” is completely contrary to swiping through zillions of images on our phones. It takes time and patience, but the experience can be revelatory.
We will have a chance to try out this practice on Zoom on Tuesday April 30 and Wednesday May 1 (5:30-6:30pm) when we will join Rabbi Sarah Berman and our friends at Central Synagogue for Sacred Looking: Interfaith Learning. Together, we will explore art through the lens of faith and share our understandings of universal themes common to us all. This class is a virtual adaptation of our previous program. Rabbi Sarah Berman and I extend a special invitation to those who couldn’t attend the initial session earlier this year. Please slow down and join us!
