Last Thursday we went to The Israel Museum and we were guided through the art by an amazing guide, Vadim Blumin. It was a fantastic tour! Today, Tuesday, we visited the Tel Aviv Art Museum. Before going, I, personally, was very excited. Art museums are one of my favorite places in the world, and I was looking forward to going to a new art museum and seeing new things. Sadly, today’s experience was disappointing.
While all of the art in the Tel Aviv Art Museum today was unique and breathtaking, our tour guide overshadowed that. As soon as she opened her mouth, negativity radiated out. This was a big contrast and took away from the beauty of the art. I won’t say her name, even though some of her first words instructed us to not call her “she” or “her” but that we must call her by her name.
While the group was marveling at the art and talking quietly, she yelled at us and told us we needed to respect her. No one intended any disrespect, we simply wanted to enjoy the museum.
When we would come up to a new piece, our guide would tell us the meaning in her eyes, leaving no room for us to say what it meant to us or to explore its meaning. Art museums are supposed to bolster creativity, but the guide sucked any ounce of creativity out of the experience. I hate to say it, but she ruined an art museum for me, which is nearly impossible, and I know I’m not alone in feeling this way.
Before entering the museum, everyone had been perfectly happy, but throughout the tour our happiness was shattered. The guide made it quite clear that she didn’t care about us and that she just wanted us to leave.
Back at the Israel Museum with Vadim, the experience was the exact opposite. Vadim wanted us to say what we thought the art meant. He inspired creativity and positive thinking. Vadim made everyone smile and feel good and even the people who weren’t necessarily art fans had a good time. Personal connections were made and laughs were shared. It was the exact way a museum should be.
Today in the Tel Aviv Art Museum, no personal connections were made. It was as if we were irrelevant. Merely an unwanted audience who was, if anything, a distraction.
The art today was unique and gorgeous, but unappreciated because our tour guide took that away from us. I’d like to thank this tour guide for showing us the art, but I’d also like to kindly tell her she should quit her job.