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.

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Name_Kyndra Prietzel___________Class period/section 1___________________

1) Which museum did you visit? (check one) ___ Univ. of Utah ___ BYU

2) Describe at least one of the permanent collection exhibits on a theme, period, geographic
region, or topic) within the museum. {150 words}
One of the exhibits within the museum was the arts of the Pacific. I noticed that many of the
artwork was either wooden, or built by straw. Each of the artifacts were very aged, but a had a
lot of detail. I also found it a bit interesting that most, if not all, of the artifacts didn’t have an artist
related to them in any way. The artists were all unknown. I know it was probably because it was
a long time ago, but it also might be a part of their culture. There were a few pieces this
permanent collection that I liked such as the Totem poles. Each one had different creatures on
it, and I realize that some of them had their warrior gods on it. The one I like the most was the
tallest one, but also because it white. I don’t mean that in a racial way, but almost everything
else within the collection was a deep brown or black, and it surprised me to see something bright
in color. There was also a head mask and a drum that I found truly interesting. The mask looked
very smooth, and had intricate designs throughout. It was very beautiful. Also, the drum I found
out by reading the information next to it was sometimes used in secret to entice the voices of
spirits. Everything within the collection was very interesting, and I realized how old and valuable
cultures can be.

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}
One temporary exhibit I saw was in the ACME lab (Art Community, Museum, Education)
where it told a story of two girls, Mia Adams and Cera Frias. They are friends and from Utah.
Throughout the whole exhibit it showed their life story through their diaries, postcards, their
clothing, etc. Both went off to do great things, but it was interesting how the room was split to go
through a sort of story. Honestly, I don’t really know who the girls are, but from information
provided they lived in the desert for a while and used empty cans to shoot at with lasers for fun.
Also, a homeless man helped Mia learn how to make jewelry out of empty glass bottles. It was
interesting to see a person’s life through artwork.
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 museum administration and/or exhibit curators want me to learn about art in a new
perspective. Most people undervalue art in a way where they associate it with nature lovers, or
hippies. I did before I went. However, nature lovers and hippies can totally be artists. I think what
is needed is a new perspective. If you go in there believing it is only splotches of paint and color
then you won’t gain anything. I think they want me to learn that these paintings, works, and
artifacts have meaning behind them. I don’t they think they expect me to love art from now one,
but at least have a higher respect for it. Without art we wouldn’t really know cultures or history
before us. People could paint and draw long before they could write. I think they want me to see
art in the best possible way, meaning more than just a canvas with color, but something that has
meaning and value.

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 sort of information provided was the title of the piece, the artist, when it was created, and
past information on the piece (if it is provided). I think to find out more you could ask the museum
curators, or go to a library and look up the artist, or maybe take an art (history) class to learn
more about art, certain pieces, and artists. Also, that way you might be able to talk to a professor
with more questions, or if you don’t want to take a class ask an art teacher and maybe they can
help you.

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}
One piece that I was drawn to was the painting, “Bingham Mine” painted in 1917 by Jonas
Lie. I was appealed to this because it is a painting of something that I see every day out my
window. However, it was in a different time period. It was during the industrial times when actual
mining with manufactures started. Near the bottom it was very smoky, and smudgy with colors.
It was also very dark, but then moving up the frame the picture became lighter in color. I think
this shows that industrialization was a big step for society, some people didn’t even approve of
it at first. However, industrialization was a major step that brighten our nation’s society and
economy. Therefore, the tension at the beginning, or the bottom of the painting, eases up after
a while, at the top of the painting. I think the artist is trying to show that industrialization has
pushed us forward as a nation, and has helped us advance.
Another painting I saw was called “Breton Fisher Boy” painted in 1903 by Lee Greene
Richards. I was drawn to this painting because it was a single silhouette of a boy, but also
because there was no other information about the painting. Most of the works within the museum
contained the usual name of the piece, name of the artist, date it was painted, and some extra
information. This piece had no other information, and so I liked how I could interpret it my own
way without reading history of why the artist created it. Within the painting the boy seems glum,
but he also looks like he’s trying to act older. He holds a smoking cigar, and his face is a bit
seriousness. He looks overly tired, and the colors used are dark which gives the painting a very
gloomy mood. In my of thinking, I think the boy in the painting through his expression was saying,
“Look what I have to deal with.” It almost seems like he’s trying to convey the struggle he’s going
through. Since this supposed to be a fisher boy I can only assume that that’s what he does for
a living. In a way he looks out in an earnest effort for change. I think this painting is trying to
show the struggles people deal with, and how sometimes we force them upon people, like
children. I think we need to be aware, and try to create change.
There was another piece in the arts of Africa that really intrigued me. It was two combs and
I wanted to see what girls brushed their hair with back then. There were two combs displayed.
Both were made of wood, and for handles had faces. One was dark, and not very extravagant.
The other was a lighter color, and had a lot more of designs and texture. It was interesting to
see the two of them because what I think is that the dark, not very prestige one must have
belonged to a villager, and the other one that was more meticulous must have belonged to
someone with power or authority within a tribe or group. I don’t know for sure since hardly any
information was provided, but it was interesting. However, both of them seemed old and about
ready to break, and not very soothing to brush your hair through. I think we need to appreciate
what we have right now in the present. I’m thankful for the past, and historical events and
inventions, but I think showing work from a long time ago means we should understand that
culture, and feel a bit better that we don’t endure all of the trials they did back then.
Another piece I was a moving picture (it was on a television screen). It was called “Siva in
Motion” by Yuki Kihara. I thought it was interesting to see a piece within the museum that seemed
so modern. It had a woman dressed in black with a black background behind her. A single
spotlight shone down on her as she moved her hands, and did a sort of dance. Her movements
would stop, and replay while her previous movements continued. At one point it looked like she
had ten hands, but it was really beautiful. She seemed to go through the movements very slowly,
and she always looked like she was in a trance. In the video she wore a dark dress that looked
like a tradition dress from an Asian culture. It looked like a dark rose almost peeling away. It
showed beauty, but also sorrow. I think through this piece it showed the woman’s confinement
of being stuck in the ways of the past. It looked like she honored the past, but also wanted to
press forward. Through this piece I think we should just that. We just honor our past, but also
press forward with future and look for changes that will better ourselves and others. In the moving
picture she seemed sad, and wanted that chance to become something more than the tradition
woman in her culture. This moving picture showed we should continue onwards.

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}
One way the art works related to class was through the selection. There was one selection
called the arts of South Asia that held a lot of Buddha statues. We talked a lot about Buddhism
within our class, and in one of the statues I saw Buddha was raised above everything else.
Underneath him were dancers, and worldly/temporal things. From the readings, and
documentary on Buddhism that I remember we should find peace within ourselves and by the
things around us. From the statue Buddha was above all those things, and so it looked like he
doesn’t value them as much. This reminds me of the units about Meaning and Happiness in Life
and how we should be above things that truly hold no meaning or happiness in our life.
There was also another collection within the museum about Christ. There were portraits that
portrayed Christ everywhere. At the beginning of the year we discussed a lot about Christ, and
his meaning in life. There was a tapestry on the museum wall of Christ’s crucifixion (sorry I forgot
to write down the name of the piece) that had multiple people looking up at Christ. One man
below him was holding out his hands showing blood on his palms, and his feet. It looked as if he
 had recently been nailed to the cross. That got me to think about the “Piss Christ”, and how it is
portraying that Christ cleansed and atoned for our sins. It showed that he bled for us all. We
discussed this in class, and how some might see “Piss Christ” as offensive. When I first saw the
tapestry, I thought the man holding out his hands with blood was offensive because I thought to
myself, “He wasn’t the one suffering”. However, I realized that Christ suffered for our sufferings.
It showed that he took our pains on him, and we are free from his suffering. It took me a moment,
but I understand now that the man in the tapestry is showing his thanks.
One other painting I saw was “Lo! The Poor Indian” by William Holbrook in 1876. We have
recently read readings about Native Americans, and their struggles. In this painting there is only
one Indian man staring up at the sky as it darkens. A dog sits behind him, and off to the side
there is only one crop of corn. This shows the few in number of Native Americans. The only one
Native American, and only one crop of corn shows his loneliness. In the painting he is looking
up at the sky, and in the clouds, there is a faint image and it looks like a dark angel descending.
I think this picture portrays how few Native Americans are left. From our readings we can
understand that by the mentioning of the Massacre at Wounded Knee. The reading from “A
Woman From He-Dog” mentions the massacre, and Mary Brave Bird’s grandfather’s experience.
On page 505 she recalls, “Later grandpa saw the bodies of the slain, all frozen in ghostly
attitudes, thrown into a ditch like dogs.” Perhaps this adds to the painting of how there is only
one Indian, stating that they are being killed off, but also that there is a dog behind him which
recalls how some people saw Native Americans as dogs or beasts. Through this painting I think
the artist is trying to express the extinction of Native Americans occurring, and is trying to make
us realize that they are people too.

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}
I am not a huge fan on going to museums, but once I got there it was a bit interesting. I
thought it was neat to see many different artifacts from diverse cultures and societies. Though I
don’t think I’d stay for hours, but overall it was a cool experience and I got to see a lot of talent.
I think I would go to the museum again because it is fascinating to see all those old artifacts.
Also, I really enjoy seeing other people’s perspectives and talents. For a long time, I’ve wished
I could color or draw in a neat way, but I’ve assured myself that I am not an artist. If I can’t be an
artist then it’s still fun to see another artist’s work. Also, it allows me to get out of my comfort
zone a little bit and explore new things and ideas. It gives me insight about the world, and makes
me have a little more respect for the art department.

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.