Readers have responded to Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett’s recent article on selfie culture in art galleries, with many expressing frustration at the intrusion of mobile phones into gallery experiences. One reader, Stuart Cumberland, argued that while Cosslett’s criticism is valid, the concept of the ‘aura’ of art, as discussed by John Berger and Walter Benjamin, should be celebrated for its removal of false religiosity. He noted that reproducible media like film do not lose value through mass distribution, and advised gallery-goers to switch off their phones and engage with art on a physical and conceptual level.
Robin Blake suggested that even invisible art might not deter phone snappers, citing the example of the Mona Lisa’s theft in 1911, which drew crowds to photograph the empty space. Anne Cowper shared her experience at the Musée d’Orsay, where she was so irritated by selfie-takers that she resorted to photo-bombing their shots. Mike Peart described his visit to the Van Gogh exhibition at Tate Britain as ruined by raised phones, and proposed that galleries sell mandatory photo permits to fund exhibitions.
Charlotte Rigby called for phone-free sessions in galleries, allowing visitors to choose between a distraction-free experience and one where phones are permitted. Teddy Bourne recalled a 1960s Mad magazine cartoon about a tourist who didn’t know how his holiday was until his photos were developed, highlighting that the phenomenon is not new. The letters collectively suggest a need for galleries to manage phone use to preserve the integrity of the viewing experience.
