I love to visit art museums and look at the paintings from all styles and eras. There is something to appreciate from each. When DH would have business meetings in large cities, I would try to tag along and spend all day in museums. I have only been to one local quilt show and saw the Gee's Bend quilts at the Boston Museum of Fine Art.
When I take the time to carefully look at all styles of art or quilts, I deepen my knowledge of how to use color and balance in composition to create a piece that rises above ordinary.
Like an art show, if I were to attend one of the larger quilt shows, I would expect to see many styles of quilts of highest quality and spend time studying as many as possible. It should be an opportunity to learn new things.
This is wholly different than what I choose to make myself. There might not be a place for modern quilts in the decor of my house, but I hope that looking at the best examples at a quilt show would improve my craft.