Katherine Nguyen P: 2nd

ART MUSEUM CRITIQUE

1) Which museum did you visit?

A: University of Utah

2) Describe at least one of the permanent collection

exhibits on a theme, period, geographic region, or topic)
within the museum. {150 words}
A: One of the permanent exhibitions was in the
Western Asia part of the museum. There were three
plates that would be considered Chinaware in modern
society today. Each of these plates were all different
colors. The first plate was one without a design but
colored smoothly in bamboo green, the underside
matte black. The plate that would be considered a
stereotypical piece of chinaware was second. The
designs were intricate, detailed, and blue with a snow white background. The last one
was creamish white with a black rim and a translucent pattern that was only visible
from a certain angles. The pattern was matte and clear allowing for its visibility. These
three plates were all collected during the Ming Dynasty and exquisitely preserved.
When I had first seen these plates I had thought that they were brand new fresh from
the kiln. I was astonished when I had read that they were from the Ming Dynasty. I
wonder if those who made the plates had ever thought that one day their daily task
would be displayed in a museum and known as art.

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}
A: An artist known by the name of Spencer Finch, had one of the biggest rooms
in the museum. This was also his, “largest pantone color chip installation”. When I
had approached the area I had thought that it must have been under renovation or
preparation for upcoming art. However, when I came closer to what seemed like little
slips of sticky notes on the walls, they were colored pantone swatches of his journey
from the Great Salt Lake to the Vicinity. A pamphlet was provided to inform those in
examination of the art piece; the thoughts behind the minimalist approach of his
artwork. He felt with the great amount of space he had been supplied with he could
either display something maximal or minimal. He evidently chose minimal but under
each of the color chips he had handwritten what each of the colors mean in a physical
form. (e.i. -color chip- labeled: bush) The artwork was very unique, and I could not
have imagined how tedious the project must have been. Though, I will admit that after
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a while the labels became repetitive. Otherwise, the alignment, selection of colors, and
unique personalization of the installation was a great special temporary exhibition.

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}
A: If I were an administrator or curator behind a great museum such as the fine
art museum at the University of Utah I would want to bring diversity and history. I
believe this is exactly what the they have achieved. When I had walked through the
whole museum I could not remember all of the art forms I encountered. I had learned
so much about the artists and the different types of art. I believe that the exhibit
curators wanted us to understand the history that was put into or resulted in such
artforms. There are many sections of the museum where I felt it was more of a history
lesson through the mediums. The museum does a phenomenal job attempting to
include all different art forms.

5) What kind of information is provided about the works? Where might you look for
further information if you were interested? (Name three possibilities)
A: The information provided on each of the paintings, sculptors, etchings, etc.
were all different just like the pieces of art. Some gave you the background/history,
while others gave you the inspiration for the work of art, many tell you the synopsis of
what the piece of work is about, while others simply state the title. Locating further
information could either be on the side of the painting, pamphlets or tour guide, and if
you wanted to look for information in a more philosophical way, the brush strokes,
etches, indents, overall design, etc. give information as well. I had felt that
information was everywhere in the museum, some of it quite apparent and frank
while another part subtle and openly hidden.

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}
A: There were many art pieces that made me ponder and rethink about what
things really meant but I had four particular piece of artwork that spoke to me. An
American, LeConte Stewart, 1891-1990 created an oil painting called the Private Car.
The painting depicted the Union Pacific train rolling through the rural areas of Utah.
On the train there were unorthodox passengers who were riding on top, in, as well as
in between the carts. I had imagined that these passengers came from far and near all
in the same spot but on different missions. The picture made me understand that even
though everyone we meet or know is on their own different mission we are all the
same in seeking something unknown.
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The second art piece was Gopura. The piece was several centuries old, it was
dated back to the 14th century. The working medium was wood. Made in Southern
India, in the Kerala Region. It was a gift from the Christensen Fund. I do not really
understand why this one spoke to me. But, I believe that I had taken a liking to this
particular sculpture because we had recently gone over the religion unit. We had gone
over religions such as Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. The semi-religious work of
art was beautiful in how old and intricately detailed it was. On the plaque it said, “This
panel was once part of the outside of a temple and was used as a gateway for outer to
inner spaces”. These pieces of art make you question what people really believed in
and you go on to wonder how they went on to express their curiosity or “belief”. It
was intriguing to say the least.
Last but not least, was the 13th installment of the Utah Museum of Fine Arts.
The installment consisted of a “mirror ball” called Totality. Lights were shown onto
the mirrored ball and it created an outer-space atmosphere. The mirror ball would
continuously spin yet there were words on the wall that stayed in place and projected.
Katie Paterson was the artist behind this beautiful installment and the process she
went through to create something was amazing. “She collaborates deeply with
biochemists, engineers, and astrophysicists but ultimately looks beyond the
framework of mathematics and language to describe the unseeable, to communicate
the unfathomable, and to imagine the unknown”. I thought that the description they
had of the artists and motives were astonishing and great. She is an artist who
understands her why.

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}
A: There are many ways that the artwork I looked at relates back to many of the
readings we have gone through throughout this course. We could stay as simple as
many of the artworks I looked and observed were related to religion. Or the sculptures
of the South African masks were to express their heritage and pride of who they are
and what they will become. In the Egyption section, there was a lot of artwork and
historical background relating to the afterlife. In the art and rituals you could see the
odd beliefs that they had and what happiness was perceived to them as. This could be
seen in the South American artwork as well. However, when I walked throughout the
galleries and the entirety of the museum, I saw perspectives. Modern art, classical art,
etching, oil painting, sculpting, they all portrayed some sort of perspective. You could
see this exclusively in sections that were sectioned together as the same genre or
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mantra of style. Whether this be historical, time period, type of medium, you could see
the multitudes of perspectives which is the most unique things about art.

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}
A: I had wanted to visit the Utah Museum of Fine Arts for the longest time but
never had the time or opportunity to do so. Looking, observing and creating art have
been one of my favorite pass times. I had never been to an official art museum except
underground ones. However, as an assignment I was able to go and was glad to
granted with this opportunity. I had planned on going to the museum with a friend but
they cancelled last minute. In the end, I was happy that I was able to go alone. As I
drove up to the museum, I had remembered how my ex-best friend and I wanted to
visit the museum together. Laughing to myself, I hoped she was doing well and hoped
she knew that I was missing her.
Entering, the museum was quiet and almost vacant. Handing my Salt Lake
Community College Identification card to the girl at the desk, she smiled and printed
me a receipt. I was self-conscious as my heels tapped on the wooden floor but as I
realized no one was there and I found myself getting lost in the artwork. I am
describing my trip in such detail because I was happy to recall the mini journey I was
able to encounter. Recollections of memories and getting to look at amazing art. I for
sure would love to attend events such events again.