Slow Art in an Age of High Speed

The digital age has shortened our attention spans, leaving us mentally exhausted. This course explores "Slow Art" as a powerful antidote, a way to provide relief from the frantic barrage of images and encourage us to be fully present. Slow Art's primary feature is its ability to stretch time, suspending the ticking clock in favor of an "eternal present." It is not intended for easy consumption and cannot be appreciated with a quick glance. Instead, it invites us to give ourselves over completely to the artwork. We will examine masterpieces that demand this deep engagement, from Vermeer's paintings and Cézanne’s still lifes to the 14 murals in the Rothko Chapel and the films of Andrei Tarkovsky. We will also consider the koan-like poems of Emily Dickinson. These works reveal their secrets only to those willing to invest time and patience. Our goal is to practice "seeking in Art—the Art of Peace," which requires Silence, Stillness, and Solitude.
Continuing Education Units (CEU) : 1.5

You'll walk away with

• Develop the ability to engage deeply and patiently with artworks across visual, cinematic, and literary forms
• Understand the principles of “Slow Art” and how sustained attention can transform aesthetic perception and personal well-being
• Practice contemplative approaches—Silence, Stillness, and Solitude—to experience art as a pathway to mindfulness and inner peace

Ideal for

• Art enthusiasts
• Aspiring and working arts professionals