Seduction In A Glimpse

Seduction in a glimpse refers to the phenomenon of a brief look, a glimpse, piquing our interest in an object or person. Often, this interest is greater than if we saw the subject in full. Sometimes, less really is more. 

This is the so-called "glimpse effect". The glimpse excites our imagination and curiosity. It makes us want to see and learn more about our subject. 

Intentional or not, the design of art museums uses the glimpse effect to draw us through the galleries. Museums galleries are rooms interconnected via openings that gives us glimpse of another gallery, and another gallery, and … We see just a bit of a piece of art and we are interested. 

I first became aware of the power of an seduction in a glimpse while at the Kinder Building at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH). It was while taking the photos that I previously posted in Light, Lines, Shadows, and Shapes. 

The Kinder is especially suited for this. This is because, there are a lot of sharp lines and soft curves meeting in interesting angles along with contrasting dark floors and white walls. Being able to see into more than one gallery creates a layering effect. All of this channels our view in a way that offers glimpses that highlight the bits of art that we see. Additionally, the famed architect. Steven Holl, uses natural lighting in an exquisite way, what he call "luminous architecture" which adds to the layering effect.