8 MuseoMag N°I 2025 In a small connecting room between the galleries of our modern and contemporary art section, we’ve added five pads with tear-off strips which explore the exhibition‘s key themes. LET’S TALK ABOUT ART An invitation to ask questions about modern and contemporary art Modern and contemporary art can sometimes feel intimidating or overwhelming, and people often think they have to have specialised knowledge to be able to “decode” or appreciate abstract, experimental or provocative art. As important as it is to consider the context in which a work was created, given that eve- ry piece is shaped by its historical and socio-cultu- ral background as well as by the works that came before or after it, it’s equally important to remember that everyone, regardless of their knowledge of art, can engage with these works. Art is meant to be experienced. The way it’s per- ceived is always subjective and informed by the unique perspective of each viewer. People bring their own emotions and background to a work of art, meaning that two individuals can respond to the same piece in completely different ways. This em- phasises the personal nature of engaging with art, whereby perception is not fixed, but co-defined by the artwork and the viewer’s individual frame of reference. For instance, someone in love might en- gage with a particular piece quite differently from someone navigating personal loss, much as a child’s perception will differ from that of an adult. In this re- gard, art isn’t always something to be “understood” in a single, definitive way. Rather, it offers a space for a multitude of perspectives. PICK A QUESTION! It’s within this context that we recently created a new space in our permanent exhibition of modern and contemporary art, specifically designed to en- courage visitors of all ages to engage with and re- flect on the works on display. In a small connecting room between the galleries, we’ve added five pads with tear-off strips which explore the exhibition‘s key themes: Faces, Nature, Chaos, Colour and Forms & Shapes. The front of each strip features a question, with a fragment of an artwork from the correspon- ding gallery on the back. © éric chenal