Going to an art museum and not looking at art sounds weird to you? What if I told you to look at doors, corners, fire extinguishers, sprinkles, hooks, bolts, or even dust instead? Or listen to what others are saying. Or maybe think of what art you would buy, burn or steal. Noticing things that others often overlook can actually help you train your attention, spark curiosity, bring novelty into mundane things, and become more present in a moment. So that was exactly what I did - I went to the National Gallery of Canada and looked for... lines, shapes and patterns. And you know what - it was a pretty unusual yet quite enjoyable experience. It also helped distract my mind from the war that is still going on in my home country - Ukraine.
Two things fascinated me the most at the National Gallery of Canada: the light-filled glass dome called Scotiabank Great Hall and Rideau Chapel. The latter is a hidden gem that I only discovered on my second visit to the museum.
Everything is connected?
Granite competes with stainless steel and glass.
According to the museum's website, the long approach up the incline of the cathedral-like Colonnade creates an agreeable sense of anticipation. I kind of agree.
When contemporary meets classic.
Concrete ceiling with pot lights.
Light and dark. Black and white.
Do you also see a robot?
Blue.
Any patterns here?
Voilà, my favourite Rideau Street Chapel.
Rideau Street Chapel was part of the Convent of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Ottawa.
This architectural treasure, built in the Gothic Revival style in 1887-88, was set to be destroyed in 1972 along with the convent. But thanks to public appeal, it was saved from destruction and rebuilt inside the museum.
Even the Wi-Fi router has patterns.
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What are you going to look at next time at an art museum?
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