Critique. Specifically, the occasion where student-artists show their work and it’s discussed among peers and professors.

There are many styles of critique, but one approach is quite common: the wounded patient.

Here, the art is discussed through the lens of “what’s wrong with this?” and the artist is evaluated through the lens of “what did she get wrong?”

Another approach to critique — which I find to be more productive — is that of the curious object.

“What is this?” “How does this make me feel?” “What does this remind me of?” “What do I think about when I spend time with this work?”

This approach to evaluating art lives much closer to the beautiful and challenging conversations that art intends to create.

Next time you find yourself judging creative work as though it’s damaged, consider it as a curious object instead. It’s a far more rewarding experience.