Serving Art Educators
and Students Since 1994
Museum Art Criticism
SEND IN YOUR LESSONS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Museum Art Criticism
Much can be learned from some of the methods used to look at material culture objects in history museums. When I studied Material Culture/Decorative Arts as part of my museum studies degree at Colonial Williamsburg I was given the following list of questions to ask an object:
Nine Models of Interpretation
Art Historical
Symbolic - role an object holds in society
Cultural - development of characteristics of an object which can be related to particular cultures - e.g. regional styles.
Environmental - role of the physical environment on objects - e.g. natural resources available, etc.
Functionalist - the way an object is used
Structuralist - how the object was physically made
Behaviorist - interaction of the object and behavior patterns
Community - interaction of the object and the society which forms/reflects a common viewpoint/character.
Social historical - the story of the object itself or provenance
The undergraduate Art Lessons section is a new section that needs your submissions! To submit a lesson, please e-mail Ken Rohrer or click on the "Submit a Lesson" link on the upper right-hand side of this page. Your art department will receive recognition of your submission.
This page sponsored by Screenflex Art Displays:
Below is the first submission to this section. From this point on, we need images submitted with the lessons. |
I think these models can be applied to "art" since art really is the product of a culture. By REALLY understanding the artwork and why it was created, we have an avenue to the deeper meanings. This approach can be used when dealing with any work of art, not just contemporary. If it becomes a way to "read" a work that the students become accustomed to, you have given them tools to deal with the visual world for the rest of their lives, and some excellent critical thinking skills!
Submitted by Katherine Walker, Beach Museum of Art, Kansas State University.
ATTENTION HIGHER EDUCATION ART TEACHERS!
This section has not been developed yet. Why not submit your lessons for inclusion on here. I will include a link back to your art department so you get some PR. This site gets millions of visits a month, so why not submit?
