Planning a gallery visit with a viewing notebook
A short viewing notebook can make a gallery visit more focused without turning it into an exam. Start with a few works that attract your attention.
Work through the checklist
Check current exhibition dates, opening times and access information. Ask about photography and whether a talk or guided visit requires a reservation.
Choose one work and describe its materials, scale and arrangement before reading the interpretation. Then note what the label adds or changes.
Write one question about the work and one connection to another piece. Keep your response separate from claims about the artist's intention.
A useful question
Do I need specialist vocabulary?
No. Precise everyday descriptions of what you see are useful. You can look up technical terms later if they help answer a particular question.