Impactful art plays with its viewer

I recently took a hike through the mountains to get to an ongoing installation located in the middle of Gstaad. In fact this was the second time I visited this installation, just because it was so fascinating. This perfectly explains what I mean with "playing with the viewer". The installation is part of the Elevation 1049 programme which Gstaad hosts every year. This year Doug Aitken participated with his "Chalet Mirage"; a building made entirely of mirrors which reflect the beautiful scenery surrounding it.

Aitken is an American multimedia artist whose installations are exhibited in the most renowned art museums, such as the MomA. The purpose of Mirage Gstaad was to encompass a continually changing encounter during which the exterior and the interior are inn constant flux. At a distance one may not even realise its presence as it so perfectly reflects its mirrors making it almost transparent.

My multiple visits and desire to go back for a third time made me realise that when art involves the viewer, he immediately becomes more intrigued by it. The first reason for this being that humans first and foremost think about themselves before anyone else. So naturally if an artwork directly interacts with them, they will be more interested. The second reason is that art that mirrors how the viewer is looking at it, sends him/her into a deep reflection of why they feel the way they do towards that piece of art. Thus, even after having left the museum the viewer is still thinking about his experience and his feelings. As if the piece they just saw attached itself to them and now will become a part of who they are.

So my advice to you: let art consume you and take in your luggage of knowledge wherever you go. It will come in handy one day... and if not then you saw something beautiful once in your life.