To prepare you for your Final Project and to give you the ✓ Solved

To prepare you for your Final Project and to give you the opportunity to see art specific to a museum, you will be visiting a local museum in-person or virtually and reporting on your experience. Select one of the Art Museums listed: The Art Institute of Chicago, The Museum of Contemporary Art, The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, The Smart Museum at the University of Chicago, The Block Museum at Northwestern University, The DuSable Museum of African American History, Loyola University Museum of Art, or Elmhurst Museum of Art. While natural history and science museums offer invaluable experiences, as this class focuses primarily on art, it is necessary that you attend an art museum for this assignment or a place in which art is exhibited.

The goal of this assignment is to give you a better understanding of the museum experience and how museum professionals design exhibitions using artworks to tell a story or make an argument about the past or present. As you explore the museum in-person or on their website, write down your observations in response to the following questions: What is the name of the museum? Identify at least three or four works of art that interest you and record the following for each: name of artist (if available), title, date, medium, and art movement (if given). Then, for each work of art discuss the following: In what ways are these artworks connected to what we have discussed in class? Select one work of art that interests you the most and provide a brief description of its subject and the way it was created. What drew you to this artwork? How does it make you feel? What is your overall impression of the museum? What did you like about it? Was there anything you didn’t like about it? If so, what?

Your response should be written in complete sentences and be approximately 700 words in length.

Paper For Above Instructions

For this report, I visited The Art Institute of Chicago, one of the most renowned art museums in the United States. The museum is famous for its extensive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, as well as Old Masters, European and American art, and modern and contemporary works. The experience of immersing myself in the art and the stories told through the exhibitions was enlightening.

The first artwork that captured my attention was "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte" by Georges Seurat, created in 1884-1886. This masterpiece is an iconic example of pointillism, where he used tiny dots of color to form a vibrant scene of people enjoying a leisurely day. Seurat was a pivotal figure in the Impressionist movement, but his techniques set him apart as he focused on structural composition and the scientific theory of colors. This painting aligns with our class discussions on impressionistic representation of light and color, showcasing how artists in the late 19th century sought to capture modern life.

The second artwork that I found compelling is "The Bedroom" by Vincent van Gogh, painted in 1888. This piece depicts his simple bedroom in Arles, France, characterized by its bold colors and brush strokes that evoke a sense of intimacy and solitude. Van Gogh was a post-impressionist, and this artwork embodies his emotional connection to his surroundings, a theme we've explored in class regarding the expressionist tendencies of post-impressionism. This piece draws me in with its vibrancy and emotional depth, making me reflect on the nature of home and comfort.

The third piece that piqued my interest was "American Gothic" by Grant Wood, created in 1930. This iconic painting of a stern farmer and his daughter in front of a Gothic-style house symbolizes Midwestern American values during the Great Depression. Wood's work connects to the American regionalism movement, reflecting our discussions on how art serves to comment on socio-political climates. The juxtaposition of the figures' stern expressions against the delicate architecture stirred a sense of nostalgia and contemplation within me, as it effectively captures a moment in history.

The final piece I chose to discuss is "The Old Guitarist" by Pablo Picasso, painted in 1903 during his Blue Period. Picasso’s somber depiction of a blind, elderly musician highlights themes of suffering and despair. The use of monochromatic blues emphasizes the emotion conveyed by the guitarist's posture and facial expression. This artwork resonates with our coursework on how artists can evoke empathy through their subjects. The haunting quality of this piece left me in a contemplative state, pondering the struggles that many experience, depicted through the lens of art.

Among these artworks, "The Bedroom" by van Gogh stands out to me the most. The way it captures the essence of a personal space reflects the importance of environment in shaping our mental state. Van Gogh's regular use of complementary colors creates a vibrant energy in a location that is typically associated with rest and sanctuary. What drew me to this artwork was not only its color but the emotional resonance it carries; it speaks to the viewer's sense of solitude and comfort.

Overall, my impression of The Art Institute of Chicago is extremely positive. The museum successfully curated a diverse range of artworks that speak to various historical moments and artistic movements. I particularly enjoyed the interactive exhibits that enhanced my understanding of the artists' intentions and techniques. However, one aspect I didn't favor was the overwhelming crowd in some areas, which made it challenging to fully absorb and engage with some of the pieces.

In conclusion, visiting The Art Institute of Chicago provided a rich opportunity to connect with art in a meaningful way. The selected artworks not only enhanced my appreciation for different styles and periods but also deepened my understanding of the narrative power of art in society. The museum experience has ignited a desire to explore and engage with more art and its history, emphasizing the continued relevance of these discussions in our current world.

References

• Seurat, G. (1886). A Sunday on La Grande Jatte. The Art Institute of Chicago.
• van Gogh, V. (1888). The Bedroom. The Art Institute of Chicago.
• Wood, G. (1930). American Gothic. The Art Institute of Chicago.
• Picasso, P. (1903). The Old Guitarist. The Art Institute of Chicago.
• Honour, H. & Fleming, J. (2009). The Visual Arts: A History. Laurence King Publishing.
• Gombrich, E. (1995). The Story of Art. Phaidon Press.
• Chilvers, I. (2009). A Dictionary of Modern and Contemporary Art. Oxford University Press.
• Grishin, S. (2010). The Art of the Impressionists. Macmillan.
• Kubler, G. (1985). The Shape of Time: Remarks on the History of Things. Yale University Press.
• Harrison, C. (2008). Art and the Politics of Identity. Cambridge University Press.