The Garden of Spectator's Paths

A tour for schoolchildren on the development of art perception and analysis skills.

Authors of the concept

Tonya Belugina—researcher of culture, GES-2 school programme educator.

Veronika Molchanova—cultural studies specialist.

When we enter an exhibition space, we experience very different sensations and emotions: surprise, enjoyment, curiosity, even irritation. An artistic object may remind us of a favourite TV series, book, or music album... How can we work with such a large quantity of thoughts and feelings?

At the lesson we will learn to see and perceive art works, and also to describe, analyse, and interpret them, to come to our own understanding of the work—for in this field there are no right and wrong answers. The tour will take place at one of the current exhibitions at GES-2.

Illustration: Zhenya Klimova

The name refers to two works: the story “The Garden of Forking Paths” by the Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges and the book “Ways of Seeing” by the British art critic John Berger. Both works develop the idea that the spectator/reader does not passively consume content created by the author, but independently creates a work at the moment of perception and interpretation.

The lesson is adapted for three age groups and is suitable for junior, middle, and senior school pupils. The materials were prepared in accordance with Federal state education standards and may supplement the curriculum in the subjects of art history, literature, social studies, and history.