Getty has launched its first video podcast, offering guided meditation sessions built around artworks from its museum collection.
OMMM: Our Museum Mindfulness Meditation is hosted by Getty gallery educator Lilit Sadoyan and combines breathing exercises, meditation techniques and insights into individual works of art.
The first season features 12 meditation episodes, each centred on a different piece from the Getty collection.
Episode one focuses on Vincent van Gogh’s painting Irises, with later episodes inspired by works including Edgar Degas’ Waiting, Edvard Munch’s Starry Night and Robert Irwin’s Central Garden at the Getty Center.
Alongside the meditation series, Getty has produced 12 bonus episodes that explore themes connected to the featured artworks.
Guests include astrologer Chani Nicholas, sleep historian Roger Ekirch, Buddhist monk Shoukei Matsumoto, New York Times dance critic Gia Kourlas, climate scientist Marek Slipski and mountain climber Katie Ives.
Lilit Sadoyan, gallery educator at the J. Paul Getty Museum, said: “We can all benefit from slowing down, being more present and fostering mindful moments with ourselves, those around us – and especially art.
“OMMM will be a space for audiences to heal, learn and be empowered to embrace mindfulness in their daily lives.”
Lilit has worked at Getty since 2008 and has helped develop programmes exploring the relationship between mindfulness and museum experiences. Her work has included collaborations with scientists and mindfulness practitioners studying the impact of art on wellbeing.
Zoe Goldman, podcast producer at the J. Paul Getty Trust, said: “This is Getty’s first venture into video podcasts, which we hope allows audiences to connect to our art collection on a deeper level.
“Whether engaging with OMMM from home or in our galleries, we are happy to create more avenues for experiencing art.”
The podcast includes meditations focused on sensory awareness, visualisation, relaxation, mindfulness and patience, using artworks ranging from paintings and sculptures to historical manuscripts and decorative arts objects.
The first episode of OMMM: Our Museum Mindfulness Meditation is available now, with new episodes released twice a week.
