On Seeing

"Looking isn't as simple as it looks. Art teaches people how to see." -- Ad Reinhardt

Do we look at art to take from it, to get resolution, or do we open ourselves up to it? Every artist is obsessed or deeply concerned about something. He uses art to explore this obsession or concern. When we look at art, we're looking at these obsessions or concerns.

We've come to see for ourselves. It is an autopsy. We treat the work of art as a crime scene. Note: This is a crime for humanity, not against. We become a witness, we suspend our judgement and we respect the evidence. If we cannot suspend judgement, we lose our sense of wonder and become defrocked or jaded. Every crime scene is a shocking scene. The shock draws your attention, it says: "Wake up. Look!"

- From Filip Noterdaeme's notes, NYU SCSPS