Going into the experience I was a little bummed that we had to go because it was late and in the middle of the week going into Brooklyn. However, I was surprised at the abundance of interesting and unique art that was shown in the museum. It was cool to see a lot of different pieces of art somehow work together.

Something that really struck me was the exhibit with all the chairs and interior design. It was odd because in the museums I have went to recently I haven’t really seen any objects shown in that manner.

One piece of art that I found to be interesting was The Great Deep by Frederick J. Waugh. Although it was a simple piece to intially look at it, it was captivating to see the depth in the painting. I found myself looking for a deeper meaning in the work of art. It is important to note the color choice in the painting as it uses deep blues and greens to establish a sense of the vastness of the world and its wonders. The stark contrast of the sky and water promotes the idea of admiration and fear all at once. This reveals an element of a persons vulnerability in the world as well as facing nature’s power. It pushes the viewer to understand that the ocean is full of secrets hence the areas of dark waters. It plays on the idea of the unknown and what it may suggest for people in their own lives. This work of art can represent so many things to different people such as the comfort or fear of the unknown, admiration of nature, or even appreciation for the opportunities yet to come.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another art piece that I found intriguing was “Mrs Alexander Cumming” by John Singleton Copley. This art was similar to those we have analyzed in class so I think that played a major role in why I thought it was interesting. It says a lot about the way that art used to be portrayed and the audience that it was created for. I connected this work to John Berger’s book and how art was made for people of class and those who determined their worth based on art. It allows for the ideas of feminity and identity to be shown as the painter created the subject in a certain way, tailored to please the observer. However, if you look beyond that you can observe her demeanor and the way she carries herself even from a static image.

Overall, I had a pleasant experience because all macaulay students were together so we got to connect with the art together. This made the museum definitely less boring than my typical museum trips.