Step 1: The Exhibition
Questions about the exhibit:1. What is the title of the exhibit?
“Ideas in Things” located in the Entrance Gallery at the George Eastman House Museum
2. What is the theme of the exhibition?
The exhibition displays a series of photographs all by different photographers. The photographs display their persistence as cultural artifacts and as vehicles for memory and meaning. This exhibition, drawn from the collection of George Eastman House, is a small selection of art and other photographic objects that illustrate the way photographs live, move, and change over time in the material world we share with them.
Step 2: The Gallery
Questions about the physical space:1. What type of lighting is used?
The gallery space used a system of spot lighting. Each piece had its own spotlight with direct lighting over the piece.
2. What colors are used on the walls?
The walls were painted a very dark color, almost a charcoal gray. I think this was used to highlight the photographs which were primarily matted with white.
3. What materials are used in the interior architecture of the space?
I’m not sure what is meant by “materials,” but the gallery was pretty traditionally arranged with wooden floors, drywall, track lighting, and a small central bench for sitting.
4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space?
The gallery is relatively small so the flow of traffic from the viewer was very simple. The gallery was in a “T’ shape, so upon entering you could either go straight forward or to the right. The traffic flowed either way along the perimeter. Photographs tend to demand that kind of traffic, because there is nothing to go around.
Step 3: The Artwork
Questions about the artwork:1. How are the artworks organized?
The works were not organized by any one thing in particular. Most of the photographs hung on the wall, although there was one piece suspended from the ceiling and a few pieces on a glass table against a wall.
2. How are the artrworks similar?
The artworks are similar in that they are comprised of the same medium, photography. All of the photographs were antique and of people.
3. How are the artworks different?
Some of the photographs were in black/white, while others were in color. The size and scale of the pieces were different, as well as the time period they were taken in. Some photographs were portraits or staged images, while others were more candid photographs.
4. How are the artworks framed?
The artworks are framed in contemporary black frames with white mattes.
5. How are the artworks identified and labeled?
Each photograph is labeled with a small plastic plaque to the bottom left of the piece. The text was in white so it was easily read.
6. What is the proximity of the artwork to each other?
The distances between each piece varied, but mostly 1-3 feet were between each piece.
Step 4: Art Criticism Exercise
Select three of the artworks from the show and use the Art Criticism worksheet to describe, analyze, bracket and interpret the work using the 5-step Art Criticism Process described.
#1
Thomas F. Barrow
LANDSCAPE
1981-82
Gelatin silver print with caulking, staples and spray paint
In this piece, I see a black and white landscape of what appears to be a barren land, possibly in the desert. The photograph is repeated twice on the top and bottom, creating an asymmetrical balance within the composition. Each photograph appears to have an X across it. The photograph on the top is disjointed as though it has been ripped apart and placed back together, almost like a puzzle. Where the pieces have been readjoined, there is a green color in the seams. The green color stands out against the monochromatic black and white. I think the artist used the X and the ripping of the photograph to show us his negative association with the location of this photograph.
#2
Rick McHee Hock
CODEX (MONKEY BUSINESS/TRAP)
1987
Polaroid transfer process monoprint
In this piece, I see several small photographs, drawings, newspaper clippings, all in a sepia tone or black and white finish and all in a grid like layout. There is a mixture between text and imagery that all work to create a balanced composition. The way the photos are arranged create grid like lines that define each photo into its own space. The photographs all have a lot going on within them that causes the composition to have a very textured and chaotic feel. The panel of 36 photos shows us wildly contrasting Renaissance portraits, cartoons, news photos and more. We see Eve tempting Adam, the model Donna Rice tempting politician Gary Hart aboard the Monkey Business yacht, and Popeye tempted by a can of spinach. I think the artist wanted these images cause us to question our origin. It's the idea of evolution vs. creation- whether we came from Adam and Eve, or from monkeys.
#3
Various Photographers
[Panel of Cartes and Tintypes, Received by Post Office Dead Letter Office]
1961-1865
Albumen prints and tintypes
Again here we see a series of small rectangular photograph portraits. It is clear that the photographs are old and all in black/white or sepia tone. All of the images are of men- some in uniform and others in period garb. There is a sense of balance within the composition, as well as line formed by the grid layout. Because there is no one artist for this composition, we can attribute the sense of anonymity for these photographs. I think the reason for their grouping, other than that they were returned to the Post Office, is the anonymity factor. These photographs never reached their destination, so they become orphans, thus relating them to one another.
Step 5: Document Your Visit
Answer this question: What did you think of visiting the Gallery and purposefully looking at the exhibition from a different perspective - the physical space, the architecture, theme, etc.?
I think it’s interesting to consciously view the gallery’s layout and arrangement of artworks from a different perspective. I don’t think most people realize the amount of thought and work that goes into arranging an exhibition. There is so much to consider even on a psychological level. The smallest details and differences can change the entire feel of a space or a certain piece. I thought the theme for this show was pretty broad. The only thing holding these images together was the mystery behind them. I can appreciate that, but I’m not sure the average viewer would be able to make sense of the exhibition’s theme. Other than that the space had an excellent flow and was easy to view and be a part of.
For more information, please visit the George Eastman House and the "Ideas in Things" exhibit.
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