I've been museum-hopping and now carry images that thrilled, surprised, or made me scratch my head. The real head-scratcher, though, wasn't the works of art but the behavior of some camera-toting sportsmen intent on capturing digital trophies.Think I'm overdoing it with the big game-hunter imagery? Picture someone with a digital camera planted squarely in front of a painting. He fiddles with settings, adjusts this and that, and, finally takes the shot. Now and only now can someone else can get close enough to see the painting.
Then, there are the digital-phone-wielding spectators who point, click, but spend zero time appreciating the works of art they snapped. Am I being unfair? Did they snap those pictures so they can appreciate the art works at home, at their leisure? I doubt it. Most are collecting digital souvenirs--proof I was there.
Some museums forbid photo-taking. That doesn't stop the point-and-clickers who pretend they don't understand what's meant by the image of a camera and a red diagonal slash.
On the other hand, I get a kick out of museum-goers driven to mimic works of art. They prop their chins on their knuckles like Rodin's The Thinker and couples act out The Kiss.
Museums are almost as good for people-watching as they are for art appreciation. Now, if only that guy with the iPhone would get out of my way.
