Henry Darger (American, 1892–1973). Angeline Celistine Vivian, c. 1940s.

Before the Museum opens and the galleries are still quiet, take time to slow down, look closely and make personal connections with a single work of art. This month, a museum educator will guide a discussion on Henry Darger’s portraits of the Vivian Girls.

After the Slow Look, enjoy a coffee in CLEO and visit the other exhibitions when IAM opens at 11 AM.

Content Advisory

Some works on view in this gallery include themes or imagery that might feel sensitive or potentially triggering for certain guests, especially children.

This includes:

— Depictions of nudity, including child nudity in an artistic context

— Violence or intense scenes

We invite all guests to explore the Museum at their own pace.

Our Guest Experience team is available to answer questions or help you navigate the exhibition and Museum.

Art can inspire and challenge. Thank you for exploring with care, curiosity and an open mind.

What is a slow look?

A Slow Look is an invitation to pause with us and experience what happens when we stay with one image long enough for it to speak back.

Together, we spend 45 minutes with a single work of art in the gallery. We begin by grounding ourselves in the space and stepping away from the pace of everyday life. Guided by an IAM educator, we use our senses to notice what we see, feel and discover.

We may notice materials, techniques, ideas or emotions. We may sit in silence, share observations, ask questions or explore together. You do not need to be an expert. Just come ready to be present.

A Slow Look is time spent with art and with each other, a shared moment of attention and a chance to return to the simple act of looking together.