The power of art museums

I have read that psychological development, or “cognitive development,” involves an increased capacity to take other perspectives. Essentially, it's our ability to put ourselves in other people’s shoes. The more shoes you can put yourself in, the greater your cognitive development. As infants develop into adulthood, they grow into higher and higher capacities to take on other perspectives, to incorporate other worldviews into their own. This increases their circle of care, concern, identity, and awareness.

Art museums present us with countless worldviews. The tour guide might say “This artist is commenting on the destruction of his native rainforests.” Or “this artist is expressing her love for Jesus.” Or “This painter is demonstrating visually the fracturing of post-modernism.” Etc, etc etc. Almost all political, philosophical, and religious view is expressed at an art museum, and in that sense, just going there and bringing attention to the art forces the mind to grow. It forces new ideas, new images, new perspectives (all imaginary, but all new nonetheless) to make their way into the psyche. Sometimes art museums are exhausting. It’s too much love, too much romanticism. Too much depression. Too much religious adoration. Its too many new perspectives, insights, worldviews. It’s a mental work out.