I don’t remember my first visit to a museum. Most likely it was in elementary school as part of a social studies field trip (hands up if you also remember that ambiguously named subject?). Unsurprisingly, I also have no memory of when those compulsory tours became experiences that I sought out or when my attention shifted to the art objects displayed in the hallowed galleries. If I had any such recollection the answer to the question that is this blog post’s title would be very easy to give. Instead, my gravitation towards art and studying art history at university (I’m in my second year, by the way) has been a fluid process driven by my love for looking and learning about everything.
When quizzed about my college major, the most common inquiry is if I make art myself. The sad answer to this is a resounding NO. I can’t draw or sculpt, neither create videos or paint (although I so wish my appreciation for watercolors translated into even a little dexterity with a paintbrush). Despite my ineptitude for visual art making, my whole life I have been drawn with great force to what I believe is another art form: fashion. From a young age, I’ve loved styling outfits, learning about industry professionals, and writing about the former two. And besides the fact that some clothing is simply breathtaking to look it, clothes and accessories also reveal so much about the culture of their wearers, the era in which they were produced, and lots, lots more. In short, the clothing that people often mindlessly put on their back has endless layers beyond just being aesthetically interesting.
With an inherent love of fashion, I don’t think it’s surprising that I eventually became drawn to appreciating the visual arts as well. Similar to fashion, the visual arts are so much more than just what something looks like. In fact, one of my favorite things about art history is its interdisciplinary nature. The name “art history” alludes to only two of the many disciplines that are married together to form the subject. English, economics, philosophy, foreign languages, theology… it’s all in there! For someone who arrived at university with five years of high school (yes, you read that right, and I did the extra year by choice!) and a gap year under my belt because I had no idea the direction I wanted my life to take (not that I even know now), studying a subject that includes such varied topics is perfect for me.
While it may sound impractical or obscure, art history has taught me to read closely, to write well, to incorporate many fields of knowledge, and to appreciate fashion even more. And most importantly, it feels so good to study something that I actually enjoy when so many people suffer through subjects they hate! For that reason, I will continue to attend my lectures, do my readings, and spend an occasional Sunday at a museum.
What are you all studying or what did you study or what do you want to study? Let me know in the comments below because I’d love to know your reasons for choosing your subjects!
What I’m Wearing: Sunglasses // Tee // Jeans // Sneakers
