Critique of Contemporary Art Viewing Habits at Berlin Biennale

During the Berlin Biennale's opening days, visitors in Berlin's gallery districts frequently dismissed exhibitions as 'bad' without thorough engagement. This reflex stems from the low strike rate for art and the pressure to form quick judgments. Critics often employ the cliché 'At first glance...' followed by 'On closer inspection...' to describe their evolving perceptions. Time constraints exacerbate this issue, with institutions selling tickets to recover losses, leading to rushed viewing that prioritizes loudest works. The author notes that both seemingly bad and unquestionably good art provoke a desire to leave galleries, suggesting that meaningful engagement should be uncomfortable and transformative. Free admission removes financial incentives for deeper looking, making it easy to overlook subtle interests. The essay references Captain Beefheart's album 'Trout Mask Replica' as an example of art that teaches how to appreciate it over time. New Yorker critic Peter Schjeldahl's question—'What would I like about this if I liked it?'—is proposed as a method for more sincere evaluation. Ultimately, the 'bad art' conversation reflects a self-defeating cycle where viewers miss deeper meanings in favor of cynical dismissal.