Claire Lee discussed interacting with Water Lilies paintings by Claude Monet
Interview Summary
The participant chose to talk about an interaction they had when they were 19 years old with one of the Water Lily paintings made by Monet. They chose to talk about it because of the peace and calming feeling the colors that were used allowed them to feel. For their first interaction with the artwork, they were with their friends at the Cleveland Museum of Art, but they have had several other interactions with the series of the artwork in other museums. From looking at it and from their love for swimming, they imagined themselves swimming in the pond, feeling calm and at peace. Additionally, the artwork helped them find their love for nature in art and increased their curiosity, which led them to research on impressionism and the style that Monet used in the painting. They believe Monet created this artwork with the purpose of showing others nature’s beauty.
The participant mentioned that they don’t have the opportunity to interact with nature often, this interaction helped them learn to appreciate the beauty of nature and realize that the stage an individual is in when interacting with the artwork, can influence how they perceive it. They mention how depending on the individual’s mood, they can interpret the colors differently, which makes the artwork even more unique.
Interview Transcript
Introduction
Interviewer: So, do you see that's recording
Participant 27: Yeah
Description
Interviewer: So, again, we're gonna ask you to talk about an experience you've had with interacting with an art we're created with someone else. So, I’m gonna ask you to choose what it is, and then tell me, like, what is it?
Participant 27: Okay, So in your email. I saw that you said I could show a picture or something. So actually, do have a picture. I don't know if you can really see it. But this is me, and I’m standing in front of this. It's like the it's one of the Water Lily paintings by Monet. So, I guess I chose this because I really like, I guess it's a series, but I really like That's like art style, and like the color he uses. So, that's what I chose for this study. Yeah.
Interviewer: Nice. My mom really likes Monet, so I know what you're talking about. She always like takes us to like different museums like around the world where there's a Monet, and she's like I have to see it. And I’m like, okay, I’ll go with you. God.
Why did you choose this one? (Specialness)
Interviewer: Okay. What do you think are like the important details that made you choose this one?
Participant 27 : Um, I really like the colors, so I guess they use like blue and green a lot which blue is one of my favorite colors, so I might be a little biased, but also I know that green and blue they're kind of like calming color, so it makes me feel kind of at piece, so I think that's why I really like the painting. I just like to look at it, and it makes me feel like kind of grounded. Yeah.
Process of Creation
What led up to the interaction? What motivated you to explore this piece?
Interviewer: What led up to the interaction like what motivated you to explore this piece?
Participant 27: So, when I first saw this piece the water lilies one of them. It was the first time I saw it was at the Cleveland Museum of Art, so I saw it here first, but I was kind of drawn to. I really like nature like landscape paintings like acrylic painting. So that's kind of what drew me in to this particular series, and then I saw it again in a museum in Columbus, so I just like wanted to see it again. And then, I guess, like I see it a lot, though every time I go to an art museum I do see like some sort of part of the Water Lily Series. So, I think that's pretty cool.
Interviewer: That is nice.
When and where did the experience happen? Who was involved besides you (if anyone)?
Interviewer: Okay, you said Cleveland, so when did this happen, and who was involved with you if anyone was.
Participant 27: So I was with my friend, or my roommate and friend. So, we just decided to go to the Museum of Art one day. And this was, I think it was sophomore year like fall, so like last year, like a year ago probably. Yeah, I just thought it. I don't know, for some reason this painting just in particular left a good impression on me. So, it's always been um something ever since I saw it a painting I really liked.
What were you thinking and feeling at different times throughout the process of interacting with the artwork?
Interviewer: What were you thinking, feeling at different times throughout the process of interacting with the artwork?
Participant 27: I guess, because it has like water in the painting. Um, I really like swimming so like I would like. Imagine myself just like swimming in the pond kind of and I don't know I don't really like think much when I’m looking at it. It's more of like the painting makes me feel calm and at piece, so I think it's more of what the painting makes me feel. But I don't really have any particular thoughts when I’m like looking at it.
Interviewer: Okay.
Can you describe any high points, low points or challenges, or turning points along the way?
Interviewer: Can you describe any high points, low points or challenges that you had along the way of like the interaction.
Participant 27: Not in particular. I guess some of the colors. May I have thrown me off a little like some of the like the bright yellows and bright reds, because the overall painting is like blue and green. But I don't know how we're calling me like challenges like looking at the painting.
Interviewer: Yeah.
Let's talk a little bit about the impact of the artwork on you and your life.
What did you learn from the process of interacting with the artwork? Did you learn anything about yourself?
Interviewer: Now, I'm gonna just ask you a bunch of questions about like the impact that they are. We're adding your life. So, what did you learn from the process of interacting with the artwork, and that you learn anything about yourself?
Participant 27: I guess I really. I guess it reinforced the fact that I really like landscape just like nature like in the context of art. And then, after seeing this, I actually looked up like impressionism, which I think is like the style he used. And it just made me more interested in like the different types of art. Instead of just like going around seeing it actually got to like I was interested in up to like research, more on, like the type of like style that was used so because that's the impact it had on me. Was the second part, like what I learned about myself, I mean. I kind of answer that I feel like, Yeah, I just I really like the landscape type paintings. I've always like painting like rather than like drawing or other like forms of like art. But I guess that's just like, Yeah, It was reinforced like my interest in that particular type of art was reinforced by this painting.
Do you think that the artist intended the work to affect others or the world in any particular ways?
Interviewer: Do you think that Monet intended the artwork to affect others world or the world in any way?
Participant 27: Yeah, I think it probably was just to, I guess emphasize like the beauty of nature. I know he used water, and the lily pads as an example. But it was probably to give like people like something peaceful and like, I guess you know, highlighting like the beauty of nature for people to look at. So, yeah, and it's just like an in like, from an aesthetic point of view, it's pleasing to look at, especially the color combination. So, I feel like he did that with intention of like making people like feel drawn to it by the colors. Yeah.
Did your experience with the artwork affect your understanding of others or “the world?”
Interviewer: Do you think that your experience with the artwork affect your understanding of others or the world?
Participant 27: I guess not. Like after seeing that painting for the first time, when I did see like a pond or like lily pads. I like thought of that painting, so I did associate like the painting to real life situations. In that case, but I don't think I learn anything particularly just. I started making more connections with paintings I saw, and like what I actually saw in real life.
When some people think about themselves, they see some parts of themselves as deeply true, real, or authentic.
If this idea resonates with you, did you learn anything about your true nature during the process of interacting with the artwork? Did you have any insights about your own authentic (or inauthentic) self?
Interviewer: When some people think about themselves. They see some parts of themselves as deeply true, real or often. This idea resonates with you that you learn anything about your true nature during the process of interacting with the artwork. And did you have any insights about your own authentic or inauthentic stuff.
Participant 27: Um, hmm. All right. Let me think one second, yes, I like. I learned that I appreciate nature. If I just sit down and take the time to look at it. So, I don't. Really, I'm not really surrounded by nature. I don't really have that many opportunities in my daily life to be interacting with that. So, when I do get to see it through art, or paintings specifically. Um, it does make me stop and think Oh, I actually do think this is pretty cool or like I like. Do appreciate this a lot. So, it's not. It's not something. I really stopped and thought about a lot before. But seeing those artworks more often, I think it helps me to thinking that way and be more appreciative of that of like nature. Yeah.
Some people believe in ultimate meaning. This is defined as deep, underlying meaning that transcends subjective, personal meaning. It is about the nature of existence and identity, and it may include ideas about the significance of suffering, as well as spirituality.
If this idea resonates with you, did you learn anything about ultimate meaning during the process of interacting with the artwork?
Interviewer: Some people believe in ultimate meeting. This is defined as deep underlying meaning that just in subjective personal meaning, it is about the nature of existence and identity, and may include ideas about the significance of suffering as well as through travel. And this idea resonates with you that you learn anything about ultimate meetings during the process and interacting with the work.
Participant 27: Um, yes, I learned that depending on what like where you are in life, like the things you see can influence your perspective, because for the painting because it's blue and green it can be like calming, but also blue is like it can be kind of sad, too, like the vibe can be kind of sad something's blue. So, I think, depending on what mood you're in, at least for me I looked at the painting a lot of times. But I guess when I’m not in the greatest mood, or if I’m like feeling kind of sad, or, you know, just not great. It'll make me feel more sad, but like not in a bad way. It's just more of like Oh, like it is calming to some sort, but it does. The painting itself does look a little more like somber and like, you know, kind of yeah, but also like it can be calming. And I don't know like if, even if it's just one color, it does depend on like what type of emotion you're looking at it from. So, yeah.
Some people believe or perceive a reality beyond the physical or material world. This may include religious beliefs/experiences (such as perceived interactions with God) but also may include mystical or transcendent experiences, or interaction with spirits.
Did you have any of these kinds of experiences during the interaction with the artwork?
Interviewer: Some people believe or perceive a reality being on the mystical or material world. This may include religious beliefs and experiences, but ultimately include mystical or experiences, or interaction with spirits. Do you have any of these kinds of experiences during the interaction with the
Participant 27: Um. Not really. If I’m being honest, I’m not like a religious person. So, I’m not sure if that really applies to me to be honest.
Interviewer: Yeah, no that's fine, I just have to ask.
How old were you?
Interviewer: Okay, I’m almost done with the questions. I have like some left. Basically so, how old were you when this happened?
Participant 27: Um, I was nineteen last year.
How do you perceive the quality of the work?
Interviewer: How do you perceive the quality of the work?
Participant 27: Of the painting?
Interviewer: Yeah
Participant 27: What do you mean by quality like
Interviewer: Um? We kind of like was it well done, or just like.
Participant 27: I think I kind of get your saying um. I feel like it definitely was well done. It seemed like the artist like, put a lot of thought into it, at least with like I keep talking about the colors, but the color combinations I feel like. It was very intentional. And it was probably well thought out, and it's very different from like abstract art. And I mean, I want to say very different, because I feel like that in itself, like the landscape and like nature that can be interpreted in a lot of different ways. But I think he definitely like had some intention when he was painting, and it wasn't just like oh I'll just do this, and people can like think of whatever they want to with this.
Goals
Interviewer: What goals like any that you have for interacting with the artwork?
Participant 27: Hmm. Well not for just this one, specifically, but like for any artwork I look at. I always try to like. Think of what the author would. Not author, the artist was trying to like, convey to the audience. And I know like if I know who the artist was like their personal like background, then I feel like I could apply that more to like what they were thinking of or feeling when they were painting that specific artwork. But like Van Gogh, you know, like I feel like his backstory was kind of. There are a lot of tragic, so the way I view his like artwork is like I, I always get just like a dark feeling from his artwork. But that's I feel like, because I know, like his personal background. So yeah, I mean, I always try to interpret it through the artists point of view or intention. So that's what I try to do.
What was going on in your life?
Interviewer: Okay, this is the last question. So, what was going on in your life around the time that you interacted with the already.
Participant 27: Hmm. When I first saw the painting, it was last some or last year like in the fall semester. I remember I saw it literally like November, so literally a year ago. I was pro-, I remember, like I was pretty stressed, but you know it was a nice like stress, relieving like time to just go to our museum and like walk around. So that's probably also why it calms me down, seeing the painting. But yeah.
The participant chose to talk about an interaction they had when they were 19 years old with one of the Water Lily paintings made by Monet. They chose to talk about it because of the peace and calming feeling the colors that were used allowed them to feel. For their first interaction with the artwork, they were with their friends at the Cleveland Museum of Art, but they have had several other interactions with the series of the artwork in other museums. From looking at it and from their love for swimming, they imagined themselves swimming in the pond, feeling calm and at peace. Additionally, the artwork helped them find their love for nature in art and increased their curiosity, which led them to research on impressionism and the style that Monet used in the painting. They believe Monet created this artwork with the purpose of showing others nature’s beauty.
The participant mentioned that they don’t have the opportunity to interact with nature often, this interaction helped them learn to appreciate the beauty of nature and realize that the stage an individual is in when interacting with the artwork, can influence how they perceive it. They mention how depending on the individual’s mood, they can interpret the colors differently, which makes the artwork even more unique.
Interview Transcript
Introduction
Interviewer: So, do you see that's recording
Participant 27: Yeah
Description
Interviewer: So, again, we're gonna ask you to talk about an experience you've had with interacting with an art we're created with someone else. So, I’m gonna ask you to choose what it is, and then tell me, like, what is it?
Participant 27: Okay, So in your email. I saw that you said I could show a picture or something. So actually, do have a picture. I don't know if you can really see it. But this is me, and I’m standing in front of this. It's like the it's one of the Water Lily paintings by Monet. So, I guess I chose this because I really like, I guess it's a series, but I really like That's like art style, and like the color he uses. So, that's what I chose for this study. Yeah.
Interviewer: Nice. My mom really likes Monet, so I know what you're talking about. She always like takes us to like different museums like around the world where there's a Monet, and she's like I have to see it. And I’m like, okay, I’ll go with you. God.
Why did you choose this one? (Specialness)
Interviewer: Okay. What do you think are like the important details that made you choose this one?
Participant 27 : Um, I really like the colors, so I guess they use like blue and green a lot which blue is one of my favorite colors, so I might be a little biased, but also I know that green and blue they're kind of like calming color, so it makes me feel kind of at piece, so I think that's why I really like the painting. I just like to look at it, and it makes me feel like kind of grounded. Yeah.
Process of Creation
What led up to the interaction? What motivated you to explore this piece?
Interviewer: What led up to the interaction like what motivated you to explore this piece?
Participant 27: So, when I first saw this piece the water lilies one of them. It was the first time I saw it was at the Cleveland Museum of Art, so I saw it here first, but I was kind of drawn to. I really like nature like landscape paintings like acrylic painting. So that's kind of what drew me in to this particular series, and then I saw it again in a museum in Columbus, so I just like wanted to see it again. And then, I guess, like I see it a lot, though every time I go to an art museum I do see like some sort of part of the Water Lily Series. So, I think that's pretty cool.
Interviewer: That is nice.
When and where did the experience happen? Who was involved besides you (if anyone)?
Interviewer: Okay, you said Cleveland, so when did this happen, and who was involved with you if anyone was.
Participant 27: So I was with my friend, or my roommate and friend. So, we just decided to go to the Museum of Art one day. And this was, I think it was sophomore year like fall, so like last year, like a year ago probably. Yeah, I just thought it. I don't know, for some reason this painting just in particular left a good impression on me. So, it's always been um something ever since I saw it a painting I really liked.
What were you thinking and feeling at different times throughout the process of interacting with the artwork?
Interviewer: What were you thinking, feeling at different times throughout the process of interacting with the artwork?
Participant 27: I guess, because it has like water in the painting. Um, I really like swimming so like I would like. Imagine myself just like swimming in the pond kind of and I don't know I don't really like think much when I’m looking at it. It's more of like the painting makes me feel calm and at piece, so I think it's more of what the painting makes me feel. But I don't really have any particular thoughts when I’m like looking at it.
Interviewer: Okay.
Can you describe any high points, low points or challenges, or turning points along the way?
Interviewer: Can you describe any high points, low points or challenges that you had along the way of like the interaction.
Participant 27: Not in particular. I guess some of the colors. May I have thrown me off a little like some of the like the bright yellows and bright reds, because the overall painting is like blue and green. But I don't know how we're calling me like challenges like looking at the painting.
Interviewer: Yeah.
Let's talk a little bit about the impact of the artwork on you and your life.
What did you learn from the process of interacting with the artwork? Did you learn anything about yourself?
Interviewer: Now, I'm gonna just ask you a bunch of questions about like the impact that they are. We're adding your life. So, what did you learn from the process of interacting with the artwork, and that you learn anything about yourself?
Participant 27: I guess I really. I guess it reinforced the fact that I really like landscape just like nature like in the context of art. And then, after seeing this, I actually looked up like impressionism, which I think is like the style he used. And it just made me more interested in like the different types of art. Instead of just like going around seeing it actually got to like I was interested in up to like research, more on, like the type of like style that was used so because that's the impact it had on me. Was the second part, like what I learned about myself, I mean. I kind of answer that I feel like, Yeah, I just I really like the landscape type paintings. I've always like painting like rather than like drawing or other like forms of like art. But I guess that's just like, Yeah, It was reinforced like my interest in that particular type of art was reinforced by this painting.
Do you think that the artist intended the work to affect others or the world in any particular ways?
Interviewer: Do you think that Monet intended the artwork to affect others world or the world in any way?
Participant 27: Yeah, I think it probably was just to, I guess emphasize like the beauty of nature. I know he used water, and the lily pads as an example. But it was probably to give like people like something peaceful and like, I guess you know, highlighting like the beauty of nature for people to look at. So, yeah, and it's just like an in like, from an aesthetic point of view, it's pleasing to look at, especially the color combination. So, I feel like he did that with intention of like making people like feel drawn to it by the colors. Yeah.
Did your experience with the artwork affect your understanding of others or “the world?”
Interviewer: Do you think that your experience with the artwork affect your understanding of others or the world?
Participant 27: I guess not. Like after seeing that painting for the first time, when I did see like a pond or like lily pads. I like thought of that painting, so I did associate like the painting to real life situations. In that case, but I don't think I learn anything particularly just. I started making more connections with paintings I saw, and like what I actually saw in real life.
When some people think about themselves, they see some parts of themselves as deeply true, real, or authentic.
If this idea resonates with you, did you learn anything about your true nature during the process of interacting with the artwork? Did you have any insights about your own authentic (or inauthentic) self?
Interviewer: When some people think about themselves. They see some parts of themselves as deeply true, real or often. This idea resonates with you that you learn anything about your true nature during the process of interacting with the artwork. And did you have any insights about your own authentic or inauthentic stuff.
Participant 27: Um, hmm. All right. Let me think one second, yes, I like. I learned that I appreciate nature. If I just sit down and take the time to look at it. So, I don't. Really, I'm not really surrounded by nature. I don't really have that many opportunities in my daily life to be interacting with that. So, when I do get to see it through art, or paintings specifically. Um, it does make me stop and think Oh, I actually do think this is pretty cool or like I like. Do appreciate this a lot. So, it's not. It's not something. I really stopped and thought about a lot before. But seeing those artworks more often, I think it helps me to thinking that way and be more appreciative of that of like nature. Yeah.
Some people believe in ultimate meaning. This is defined as deep, underlying meaning that transcends subjective, personal meaning. It is about the nature of existence and identity, and it may include ideas about the significance of suffering, as well as spirituality.
If this idea resonates with you, did you learn anything about ultimate meaning during the process of interacting with the artwork?
Interviewer: Some people believe in ultimate meeting. This is defined as deep underlying meaning that just in subjective personal meaning, it is about the nature of existence and identity, and may include ideas about the significance of suffering as well as through travel. And this idea resonates with you that you learn anything about ultimate meetings during the process and interacting with the work.
Participant 27: Um, yes, I learned that depending on what like where you are in life, like the things you see can influence your perspective, because for the painting because it's blue and green it can be like calming, but also blue is like it can be kind of sad, too, like the vibe can be kind of sad something's blue. So, I think, depending on what mood you're in, at least for me I looked at the painting a lot of times. But I guess when I’m not in the greatest mood, or if I’m like feeling kind of sad, or, you know, just not great. It'll make me feel more sad, but like not in a bad way. It's just more of like Oh, like it is calming to some sort, but it does. The painting itself does look a little more like somber and like, you know, kind of yeah, but also like it can be calming. And I don't know like if, even if it's just one color, it does depend on like what type of emotion you're looking at it from. So, yeah.
Some people believe or perceive a reality beyond the physical or material world. This may include religious beliefs/experiences (such as perceived interactions with God) but also may include mystical or transcendent experiences, or interaction with spirits.
Did you have any of these kinds of experiences during the interaction with the artwork?
Interviewer: Some people believe or perceive a reality being on the mystical or material world. This may include religious beliefs and experiences, but ultimately include mystical or experiences, or interaction with spirits. Do you have any of these kinds of experiences during the interaction with the
Participant 27: Um. Not really. If I’m being honest, I’m not like a religious person. So, I’m not sure if that really applies to me to be honest.
Interviewer: Yeah, no that's fine, I just have to ask.
How old were you?
Interviewer: Okay, I’m almost done with the questions. I have like some left. Basically so, how old were you when this happened?
Participant 27: Um, I was nineteen last year.
How do you perceive the quality of the work?
Interviewer: How do you perceive the quality of the work?
Participant 27: Of the painting?
Interviewer: Yeah
Participant 27: What do you mean by quality like
Interviewer: Um? We kind of like was it well done, or just like.
Participant 27: I think I kind of get your saying um. I feel like it definitely was well done. It seemed like the artist like, put a lot of thought into it, at least with like I keep talking about the colors, but the color combinations I feel like. It was very intentional. And it was probably well thought out, and it's very different from like abstract art. And I mean, I want to say very different, because I feel like that in itself, like the landscape and like nature that can be interpreted in a lot of different ways. But I think he definitely like had some intention when he was painting, and it wasn't just like oh I'll just do this, and people can like think of whatever they want to with this.
Goals
Interviewer: What goals like any that you have for interacting with the artwork?
Participant 27: Hmm. Well not for just this one, specifically, but like for any artwork I look at. I always try to like. Think of what the author would. Not author, the artist was trying to like, convey to the audience. And I know like if I know who the artist was like their personal like background, then I feel like I could apply that more to like what they were thinking of or feeling when they were painting that specific artwork. But like Van Gogh, you know, like I feel like his backstory was kind of. There are a lot of tragic, so the way I view his like artwork is like I, I always get just like a dark feeling from his artwork. But that's I feel like, because I know, like his personal background. So yeah, I mean, I always try to interpret it through the artists point of view or intention. So that's what I try to do.
What was going on in your life?
Interviewer: Okay, this is the last question. So, what was going on in your life around the time that you interacted with the already.
Participant 27: Hmm. When I first saw the painting, it was last some or last year like in the fall semester. I remember I saw it literally like November, so literally a year ago. I was pro-, I remember, like I was pretty stressed, but you know it was a nice like stress, relieving like time to just go to our museum and like walk around. So that's probably also why it calms me down, seeing the painting. But yeah.
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