This is going to be an unusual post, my friends! It’s going to be just about the clothes. I wore this outfit one day to the museum for a new kind of training I’m doing. Hmmm…maybe, this isn’t going to be just about the clothes. There are different kinds of tours at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. There are the public tours, called 3 in 30. This means you cover three pieces of art in about 30 minutes. But, there’s actually a lot of leeway to that. I can do three to five or six pieces for up to an hour. It’s one of those “read the room” kinds of things. If guests aren’t into the tour, it’s best to stop at three pieces as close to 30 minutes as possible.
Other tours…
Right now, the museum offers school tours for different ages. I decided to skip those for the time being. I think they’re grades K-1, 2-3, and 4-5. They are referred to as bands, and each one has different aspects to it. There is one I’m really interested in that is called “Painting & Poetry.” I think that will be where I will start when I pick up school tours.
Not exactly a tour…
I am also certified to conduct Gallery Conversations. I haven’t done any of these yet. My first two are this coming Friday. Since I have to drive about 20 minutes both ways, I decided to do two back to back. Gallery conversations can take place in one gallery or multiple galleries. I have the freedom to decide which gallery or galleries I want. I don’t have to necessarily know about all the art in that gallery, either. The idea is to talk with guests about a piece of art or sculpture. Again, reading the room is very important. The conversations can be short or a bit longer. I need to focus on that “short” part! Somehow, I doubt that surprises you!
VTS tours…
Right now, I am practicing to become a docent who can give VTS/hybrid tours. VTS stands for Visual Thinking Strategies. That is right up my alley. There are three questions you ask of a guest. There are several of the new class of docents who are practicing, too. Wondering why I call it practicing? Well, the “legacy” docents who do these tours get together frequently to practice their skills. There is a true art to asking the questions without sounding like you’re grilling the guests. One of the VTS docents is just amazing! On Wednesday, one of the docents said she could probably “VTS” a paperclip. And, I believe she probably could.
VTS…
This is a very well researched teaching strategy, often used by medical students. It’s a way of looking at something very closely and seeing beyond what’s readily apparent. I can see how it would be a good thing for medical students, can’t you? Even the questions have been heavily researched. So, we practice using the exact words. I’ll explain more below.
The first question…
We begin either a tour or a practice on a piece with the question: What’s going on in this picture/sculpture? Notice we aren’t asking, “What do you see?” That could result in a list of items in the painting or on the sculpture. But, asking, “What’s going on in this picture?” encourages the guest to look closely at the piece. Their response usually involves what they think is happening. As we’ve practiced, it’s been funny to hear how others see a painting one way only to discover someone else (usually me) sees it a completely different way. Following the guest’s response, the docent’s task is to paraphrase what the guest has said without any kind of approval or disapproval. As an educator, it’s hard not to say, “Oh, that’s a good idea. I hadn’t seen that before.”
The second question…
Here’s where some of the docents (including me) mess up at first. The second question is: “What do you see that makes you say…?” Our first inclination is to say “What do you see that makes you say that?” But, by asking, “What do you see that makes you say you say the apples appear to be rotten?” you are focusing in on the apples and asking the guest why they think the apples are rotten. It’s at this point, you have some decisions to make. You can continue the first and second question for a few rounds. A good VTS docent knows when to move along from that particular close look at apples. If you stay with one guest for too long, the other guests can begin to feel neglected. But, it takes a lot of practice to know when to move one to the last questions.
The third question…
The last question completes the circle. You ask the same guest…I forgot to mention that…you are asking these questions of the same person…”What more can we find?” Do you notice the difference between that and “What more do you see?” Again, if you asked the second question, you could get a list. The first question (of these two) also takes away any kind of judgement. It doesn’t imply the guest has left something out. And, again, you paraphrase what the guest has said. You then begin with the first two VTS questions until…well, until you feel like that guest is done!
The other guests…
I haven’t been to a VTS tour so I’m not sure how “regular” guests respond to this questioning as they are kinda like bystanders while the conversation with the first guest goes on. In our practices, the legacy docents usually clue us in on when we can stop. It’s why we practice as often as possible. But, back to the other guests…you begin with the first question, and go through the entire process again. Sometimes, the guests will piggyback off what the guests before them have said. Other times, they go off on a completely different tangent.
Why VTS…
During our initial training, we were able to participate in VTS tours conducted by the legacy docents. I was intrigued by this method of studying a piece of art because it so closely aligned with many teaching strategies I’d used. In our practices, there have been a couple of times a legacy docent has said they had never noticed a particular aspect of a painting before! That’s what really excites me about this kind of tour. You dig deep. The hard thing about just starting out is keeping the emotion out of it, remembering to paraphrase without judgement, and to keep track of everything the guest has said so you can focus on one thing rather than several. I’m loving it, though!
The outfit…
I wore this to a practice, and we took the photos after I got home. I look a little worn, right? I’m on the quest for a good hairspray right now. None of my usuals are working for me. I don’t know…does your hair develop a tolerance for hairspray? I do cycle through shampoos and conditioners within a week so maybe I need to do the same for hairspray. Anyway, my hair has fallen and looks a little limp. So, hit me up with your favorite strong hold hairsprays that aren’t really wet. Earlier this summer, Gudrun Sjödén came out with a collection based around chrysanthemums. I love them as prints (and as flowers) so I couldn’t resist this cherry kimono. My problem became what to wear under it. I thought I had something already, but it didn’t work. So, I ordered this sleeveless jersey dress in “tropical green.” There was a really cool pair of pants that would have been fabulous with the kimono. I don’t know my size in their pants, and they sold out before I could do it! But, I felt like the neckline needed something which you can see below!
The Lewk!
Yes, I know. Here are my Willow sandals again. They just seem to work with everything, especially when I’m going to be walking and standing on my feel for a long time. The earrings were a Christmas gift from Nigel many, many years ago. The bracelets are from the “I have no idea” store. But, let’s talk about this necklace! I bought it at the museum gift shop. I’d been eyeing this gingko jewelry for a long, long time. But, I’d never seen this really large one. One week, they were doing a double discount, so I bought it right up. It bothers me I don’t have gingko earrings now!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
See, even when I set out to only talk about fashion, I just can’t seem to do it. I think I used to do it, but now I’ve grown used to writing more! So, can we talk? Have you ever heard of VTS? What kind of tours have you been on at museums of any kind? What do you think about poetry and painting being taught together? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
Thank you!
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A colourful ensemble Marsha!
I’ve never heard of VTS, but I love the way the questions open up for answers and how inclusive they could be. It must be a great art to ‘feel’ the crowd and know when to move on.
Thank you, Rosie! I had never heard of VTS, either. It’s just a completely different way of looking at art. You don’t get bogged down in the title, the art movement, or even the artist. It’s purely about the art which is a wonderful way to include everyone, as you said. I’m learning to read the room better every time. It’s definitely an art!
I find this whole docent experience of yours to be so fascinating! I am so ignorant when it comes to art and of course had no idea all that went into your training. I have never heard of VTS but I can see how you would enjoy it and be so good at it! You really have found your calling Marsha!
Your outfit looks like art! I love the colors and your shoes are honestly so perfect. I love a neutral shoe and it really allows the focus to be on the gorgeous colors in your dress and kimono!
xo,
Kellyann
Thank you so much, Kellyann! I was just as ignorant just a year ago! I honestly had no idea the amount of training I would receive. But, it’s nothing compared to the legacy docents. They committed to two years, every Wednesday for at least two hours! My mentor told me she felt like she had actually earned a degree in art! I do find the VTS mode really fascinating because you can get such varied answers all for the same piece of art. And, none of them are wrong! It’s totally the person’s perception. Of course, with the second question, you can clarify exactly what they’re perceiving. The part that I struggle with is knowing when to stop that particular cycle…it’s definitely a read the room situation. Thank you so much for the compliments! These sandals have to be one of my very best buys ever.
I have never heard of VTS before and also didn’t find anything in German quickly (I wondered if we maybe use the same acronym or if there’s a German definition), but I found this article (translated into English from Italian in this case) that might interest you as VTS is mentioned among other techniques to reduce anxiety or stress which I think is quite interesting in regards to what you are doing right now.
https://www.finestresullarte.info/en/museums/mindfulness-art-therapy-artup-practicing-them-in-museums-reduces-anxiety-and-stress
Thank you for sharing, that was really interesting!
Thanks for sharing that article. I have saved it and will read it in a bit! It does make sense that this way of questioning would take stress off the guest because there are no wrong answers. I’m glad you liked the post, Cat!
That color combination is right up my alley. Love, love, love it.
The questions remind me of therapy too. Definitely a great way to get different perspectives. And being a docent is so perfect for you…I would love to be on your tours.
XOXO
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! I just realized the combinations were red and green, predominately. Surprisingly, it doesn’t remind me of Christmas…probably because of the print and the lighter shades of red and green. It was so eye-opening the other day to have a legacy docent exclaim, “I’ve never noticed that before!” I love being a docent…come on over! I’ll give you a tour!
So interesting, Marsha. Isn’t it amazing how slight changes in the way you phrase a question completely change the tone and the course of the conversation? It appears you are really taking to your docent work. It sounds like even though it can be exhausting, at the same time it is exhilarating. Enjoy!
Thanks, Christie! In the very beginning, I kept thinking, “What’s the difference?” Then, when they explained the reasoning, it was one of those light bulb moments! It honestly does change the tone and expectations. I am absolutely loving the docent experience and hope to do it for many, many years!
Hi Marsha you look darling in your outft! I use Tresemme #4 Hairspray and have for several years….it always seems to work well for me! Hope that helps..
Best for the fall !
Valerie
http://www.mapleleopard.com
Thanks, Valerie! I do like Tresemme mousse, but I haven’t tried the hairspray. I will look for it and give it a try! Thanks so much!
Love that you will doing this VTS tour! So cool and interesting! I love the mix of colors with this look. Love how the green pops out underneath the red!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you, Kathrine! I am very excited about VTS, but I think it will be a bit before I’m certified in it. It took me a bit to settle on the bright green dress, but I do like it now!
Who knew that lime green and dark pink would look so great together? The gingko necklace necklace is a superb statement piece. I think poetry and painting sounds like a great combination! It’s been over 30 years since I thought about this, but in my freshman English 101 class, I did a paper on WH Auden’s “Musee des Beaux Arts” and the Brueghel panting of Icarus discussed therein; I enjoyed writing that paper a lot!
Sally, you continue to amaze me! You are a Renaissance woman! I will have to look for that painting. I kept looking at the gingko pieces and had never seen this one before. I don’t know if it’s new, or if it was hiding from me! I never thought about them being tints of red and green, but they are! How about that? Do you still have your paper? I honestly think I have a couple from my high school days still!
What a great jacket – you are def bursting forth with colour! Love it!
Thanks, Lydia! I really am in my colorful era!
These colors are so beautiful together! I love the questions you ask to really get the person observe and thinking! How interesting!
Thank you, Laura! It really is an amazing way of looking at art. Since I’m just learning, it’s really intense because the legacy docents are critiquing me. It’s constructive criticism which helps me hone my skills, but it’s still a bit nerve wracking.
Hi, Marsha – Whew! It took a long time to get to just the outfit. My first thought was that it’s a great combination of red and green that doesn’t look like Christmas. Then, I started to feel like you were teaching us how to be docents. Lol! That must be your natural instincts as a retired teacher. This post kept me laughing; thanks for sharing your great sense of humor. XO – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Thanks, Angie! I honestly didn’t even realize it was red and green for the longest time! In fact, the pants I wanted (that are sold out) were that bright apple green in the print. Yep, I’m forever teaching! I’m glad you enjoyed the post! I just can’t seem to write a post solely on fashion.
Marsha, I, too, struggle with writing just about the clothes. It always seems so frivolous and silly to me which is weird because I am frivolous and silly when it comes to my clothing! I absolutely love this kimono and green dress pairing. It is so vibrant and joyful and fun and totally you! I also really enjoyed reading about how you conduct museum tours. I do love a good museum experience. Sadly, there aren’t many museums in my area. But I try to visit them when I can!
Shelbee
Thanks, my friend! I always enjoy your posts because you, like me, tell a story as you describe your clothing. And, so much of your clothing has its own story! Oh, you need to do a road trip to Indiana…I would take you all around the museum and show you all my favorite things! I honestly love being a docent almost as much as I did being a teacher!
The concept of the VTS tours is so interesting! It sounds like another fun way to dive deep into the art. Love this pretty color combo!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you, Jill! It really is fun except when you’re the one doing it, and the legacy docents who have been “practicing” for years are critiquing you. I mean, they’re not being mean, they’re just helping me hone my skills. But, it’s an amazing thing to see just how much more is going on in a painting. And, thank you for the compliment!
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