ART MUSEUM CRITIQUE

Use the following format for your museum critique; answers must be typed below the questions and all questions must appear in full on your final copy. You can use this document as your template. Pay careful attention to the required number of words for those questions that have them. Failure to follow the instructions here and on your syllabus will result in a substantially low grade. Minimal answers poorly written are a D grade or less. Elaboration of points, excellent arguments, and good writing garner higher grades. ********************************** Name_Brandon Palomino__Class period/section_1130am humanities 1100______ 1. 1) Which museum did you visit? (check one) _x Univ. of Utah BYU

1. 2) Describe at least one of the permanent collection exhibits on a theme, period, geographic region, or topic) within the museum. {150 words} - would like to discuss the large open room with nothing but some blue letters on the wall. The letters created one single sentence across three sides of the four-sided room. The sentence read "BENT TO A STRAIGHT AND NARROW AT THE POINT OF PASSAGE. At first I walk in thinking this room is such a freaking waste of room. Funny, it's sounds funny as I type it. Seriously though the largest room in out of all the exhibits is completely empty and the only thing to share the space is a small somewhat disguised stare case because you dont know its a stair case until you come around it 180 degrees. The words to me describe some type of venturi or geometric shape. A shape manipulated into a point representing an entrance. The original artist is Lawrence Weiner (1942). I guess the museum was able to get the rights to his work and restated them in this

large room. The fact the room is so large with so little in it has to represent the importance of the message. I wonder why the museum picked the color blue for the giant letters on the wall. Maybe the room maybe so big but the passage into the stairs or other rooms leading out are narrow and it could be interpreted as a passage. I personally dont think the room needed to be so large but Im not in charge of the museum or placement. 3) Give a brief, one paragraph description of a special, temporary exhibit (for help, ask museum staff what these are; they are usually in one of the first rooms). {100 words} -To be honest I was a little pre mature on this assignment and ended up going to the museum before ever reading these questions so I was unable to ask anyone about a special, temporary exhibit. So I will talk about my favorite oil painting of the day instead. The piece is by Jean-Leon Gerome (1824-1904). A French artist that was well educated. The thing that made me enjoy this painting even more was that it took him 23 YEARS to finish the commission on this painting. The reason it took him so long he wanted to do all that he was capable of so he ended up doing the painting three times. The painting at this museum is number two of the three. I really want to see the final master piece. I admire him for taking so long to finish. The painting is of the inside a large detailed coliseum. In the foreground is a proud

strong lion standing with an arch in his back look up to the sky while another lion is following him out of some pit which they are kept. in the background is a group of people in a circle on there knees in a pray type position around a oleo man in the center in a white robe maybe some type of gospel meeting. The thing that I really enjoyed about the painting was that you could still see these small pencil strokes and outlines that he layer down as an initial foundation to follow with his paint. Also all the little detail in the coliseum itself. 1. 2. 4) What do you think the museum administration and/or exhibit curators want you to learn or gain from the exhibits you viewed? {100 word minimum} - I think the administration just wants the people to come in and enjoy the art displayed available to you. It has been gathered abroad to be able to make exhibits for their specific time or genre. It shows history and the ways of different cultures and beliefs. I think they wanted to open peoples minds expand on the things they have seen and allow them to let their imaginations run. Plus they even had a little part in the museum for art. Letting the public get some of their ideas or thoughts on to paper. Motivating people to create some art of their own. They could also use the money to stay open and look to purchase more art furthering the current collection. 1. 2. 5) What kind of information is provided about the works? Where might you

look for further information if you were interested? (Name three possibilities) -The information given about he paintings was the usual synopsis. The artist of course as well as the time or year it was painted. Next, a little background to the painting or artist. If the artwork had a particular story then sometimes that was included as well. Some of the artwork showed how much it was purchased for too. Three possibilities for finding out more information about the artwork in the museum could one, are the staff. Ask the manager or people who work at the museum if they know any additional information. Second, ask the founders who find the artwork and purchase it. They must know quite a bit if they are tracking down artwork and purchasing it for a museum. It would most likely be more informative than asking someone who works at the museum as far as information goes. Last and most realistic, go on the Internet and do the research yourself. This option would be the most practical and convenient. 1. 2. 6) Choose several works that particularly appealed to you. Explain why you were drawn to these works. Comment on the subject, style, medium, time period, etc. Who were the artists? What message do you think the artists were trying to convey in the works you chose to discuss? This question must be answered in its entirety. {This should be at least 500 words} -Here are some of the other pieces I really enjoyed. Starting with an oil painting by Gian Paolo Panini (1691-1765). An 18th century painting with all kinds of beautiful detail in it. Panini was well known in Rome. I would like to see more of his work and compare it to this

piece called Capriccio of Roman Ruins with Figures. The amount of depth in this painting is my favorite part of it. You have this huge coliseum and a small structure that is half destroyed. There is roman scripture all over it in super small detail, just amazing. The positioning of the buildings and people are well as the sky deep background is very well placed. I dont know if the museum found the frame for this painting or if the frame is also an original piece but it fits the picture. It is not too thick and doesnt take too much away from the painting more of a highlight to help capture it instead. The frame is the usual bronzish gold with a few little swirls in it giving it an eloquent look. In the Asian section was piece done in the 12th-16th century C.E. of Shiva Nataraja made of bronze. Nataraja or lord of the dance this piece expresses the India idea of time. Time is circular like a cycle instead of linear like a time line. The bronze sculpture is of Shiva in mid dance on one-leg arms in traditional positions with a ring fire around showing Shivas power of destruction. Shiva is my favorite god In Hinduism. Im surprised how these very old art pieces have been able to survive time, humans, and weather. W talked a lot about Hinduism and Buddhism in class so seeing this part was cool because I learned so much about this semester. Connecting what you learn and then seeing it was cool. Another art piece found in the Asian collection is a granite

sculpture of Ganesha from southern India dating back to the 14th century. The sculpture didnt survive the test of time as well as the some of the pieces because the arms were missing and most of the detail seems to be missing. Nonetheless I enjoyed the elephant head once again reminiscing about how that happened and what I had leaned in class. The god of new beginnings with power to remove lifes obstacles. Making offerings to the multiple gods is supposed to help and bring good fortune for your next life. Lastly a jewelry piece from central Mexico panama dating back to 700-1200 C.E. made of pure gold. I wouldnt mind having that. The necklace was symmetrical in design have multiple pendants on it. I would imagine it belonged to some one with wealth or power and was worn daily to show social status or wealth of some kind. I want to know how they were able to manipulate the gold into the designs and specific shapes. 1. 7) How did the artworks you looked at relate to material we have discussed in class? (They do relate in many ways, you just need to look for those relationships). {Minimum of 150 words} -First of all, some the artwork, sculptures and paintings were in direct relation to subjects we have covered in class. Some more extensively than others. Buddha and Shiva for example as well as the other gods associated in Hinduism and Buddhism

was represented thoroughly in the Asian art collection. Little trinkets and sculptures with lots of details, Shiva seemed to be the favorite because there were so many of her. The topic we covered that I was able to see throughout the entire museum was the sense of a warrior or warriors. Greek, Roman, Native American, and pacific island are just a few but basically all cultures and times like to represent the spirit of a warrior. All the different cultures used their own style of displaying the warrior concept. Some using animals on helmets and shields. Others having pictures of battling on pottery. Basically anything that could be worn, held, or carried had carvings, paintings, or designs of some sort. It shows that mankind has always respected the warrior and what he represents. 1. 2. 8) What was your personal reaction to this experience? Would you enjoy attending this type of event again? Why or why not? {Minimum 100 words} -My personal reaction to the visit at the museum was that it was a good experience. I think that it was the first time I ever been to the museum since like high school. Brings back some cool memories from the past and makes me compare the museums I have seen to the one I visited for this paper. For example the museum was pretty small and not extensive except for the European section. I enjoy art and like to draw as well so I am able to enjoy most of the art in the museum. I may go back if somebody else wanted

to go but by myself I wouldnt because I now have already experienced it and would like to see a different museum. My favorite style of art was the European oil paintings I thing 17th century. As always remember that I want to see reflective thinking on your part. Show me you are aware of your limitations, your biases, etc. Show me that you are thinking about your own responses and why you respond the way you do.