When strolling through an exhibit or museum, you’re unfortunately more likely to see people distracted by their phones instead of enjoying and appreciating the art and beauty right in front of them.
In order to get people more engaged in the artwork, and have a more genuine experience, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam began urging visitors to leave cameras and phones at home. Instead, they encouraged everyone to sketch the artwork and sculptures littered throughout the museum.
Take a look at what happened when people finally put down their cameras and were handed sketch books and pencils instead:
“In today’s world of mobile phones and media a visit to a museum is often a passive and superficial experience,” the museum explained. “Visitors are easily distracted and do not truly experience beauty, magic and wonder. This is why the Rijksmuseum wants to help visitors discover and appreciate the beauty of art and history through drawing.”
“You don’t even have to be able to draw because this is not about the final result, but rather about looking at what you want to draw. When you do this, you begin to see things you never noticed before. You see proportions, details, lines… you get closer to the artist’s secret.”
Watch the video below to see what happens when this museum bans cameras for two days.
Were you impressed by this museum’s plan to get visitors more engaged? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
[Featured image credit: www.rijksmuseum.nl/en]