This is a gallery curated by you, the students taking part in our Night at the Museum. Make it your own!
To have your own response appear on this page, form a group and submit a response.
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Shifting the Gaze
Titus Kaphar
2017
What do you see going on in this work of art? Is there a story depicted?
(we're resubmitting this because the connection was bad and we don't know if this sent through) In this work, there are 5 people depicted but 4 of them are drawn over with white paint which seems to represent the erasure of certain people. However, the only person that isn't covered is a young black boy. This makes us assume that this piece challenges common beliefs and marginalizations which creates commentary on representation and identity.
What different visual elements (ie: line, color, light, proportions, scale, composition, media type etc.) do you notice, and how do they help you make sense of the artwork?
Immediately, we were drawn to this painting because of the white paint covering the figures of the painting. It looks like it was vandalized but then we realized that these paint splotches had a purpose.
How does this object compare to other objects, stories, or ideas you already know about?
This object compares to other objects and stories since it seems to contrast with common marginalization and "whitewashing" that has erased the identities of black individuals for centuries.
What choices do you think the museum made about the object’s display?
This painting was put in an exhibit with a mix of different genres, media, and styles. It was also put on a blank and plain colored wall which is likely to highlight the contrast between the striking piece and the meaning behind it.
Group Members
Imogen Williams, Moussa Cisse, Sophia Gotesman
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Dream of Arcadia
Robert S. Duncanson
1852
What do you see going on in this work of art? Is there a story depicted?
We see a group of people, possibly a tribe, sitting outside on the grass. This could be a possible story of a family tribe relaxing after hunting. There could also be a potential ceremony happening, commencing or celebrating an event amongst the people.
What different visual elements (ie: line, color, light, proportions, scale, composition, media type etc.) do you notice, and how do they help you make sense of the artwork?
We notice contrasts in light. As you view the painting from what is in the foreground to what is in the background, the colors become paler. The mountains in the back compared to the trees at the front represent this contrast in light.
How does this object compare to other objects, stories, or ideas you already know about?
This painting represents both a sort of realism, something that we could see happening in the real world. It also depicts a sort of fantasy as the nature itself is very beautiful, which is illustrated in much post impressionist art.
What choices do you think the museum made about the object’s display?
We think that the museum choice to gather art that evokes strong emotion, whether it is a sense of serenity or drama. The work throughout the exhibit each has its own story, but are put together to demonstrate how they can all be connected.
Group Members
Sophia Romanosky, Hannah Mejia
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Hacienda La Fortuna
FRANCISCO OLLER
1885
What do you see going on in this work of art? Is there a story depicted?
I see the different steps of a farming process being portrayed in this image. Given that the time period was a common time to own slaves, this is a story of a day on the plantation.
Group Members
Isaiah Gonzalez, Jaylene Rojas
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Hacienda La Fortuna
Francisco Oller
1885
What different visual elements (ie: line, color, light, proportions, scale, composition, media type etc.) do you notice, and how do they help you make sense of the artwork?
The gold frame makes the painting itself seem more valuable or important. The wide view of the property allows the viewer to analyze different aspects of the landscape, making viewers want to gaze at the painting longer than they normally would. I also liked the fact that it showed different steps of the farming process on the property, giving the viewer a visual historical context.
Group Members
Jaylene Rojas
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The Great Deep
Frederick J. Waugh
1909
What do you see going on in this work of art? Is there a story depicted?
We saw the contrast between the churning darker waters and the warm light of a sunset reflected on the clouds in the back. This drew focus on the water itself while making the dark colors pop out. With rocky waves and a hiding sun it creates a somewhat lonely experience, or possibly even ominous.
What different visual elements (ie: line, color, light, proportions, scale, composition, media type etc.) do you notice, and how do they help you make sense of the artwork?
We noticed the color contrasts between the dark cool tones and the bright warm tones, cutting the piece into parts as seen in many paintings of this style. This works to add more depth and complexity to the painting, as well as to add emphasis on each end of the spectrum.
How does this object compare to other objects, stories, or ideas you already know about?
This reminded us of The Great Wave off Kanagawa through the themes of the sea’s rising waves and strength, yet the style seemed closer to impressionist and romantic style art from our history classes.
What choices do you think the museum made about the object’s display?
We believe that the museum chose to match the painting with similar styles and themes, as across from the painting shown was a waterfall with a bright sunrise glow and glowing mist. This created contrast across the room extending past each piece alone.
Group Members
Ruby Moran, Kenneth Guan, Santiago Patino, Sunny Maharjan, Michelle Vadderman
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Shoe Shine
Ernest Crishlow
1953
What do you see going on in this work of art? Is there a story depicted?
Although the art piece is rather simple it poignantly captures the emotions and daily subjugation faced by Black Americans at the time. The young boy with his faded blue shirt and tired wandering expression seems tired not simply with his work at a soda factory but also at the unfair conditions of the time, he looks almost hopeless at the desolate conditions he sees himself and his fellow community tirelessly endure.
What different visual elements (ie: line, color, light, proportions, scale, composition, media type etc.) do you notice, and how do they help you make sense of the artwork?
The desolate mood is set up by the painting’s pack of colour; the boy is dressed in a faded blue shirt surrounded by a dark-brown background. The boy with the dull colored shirt seamlessly blends into the dusky plain background, becoming almost invisible to the viewer, just as Black Americans were made invisible by their community and by history. The painting further uses perspective to add depth and meaning to it; instead of learning oking directly front-center at the viewer, the boy looks somewhere off to the side further detaching him from both the painting and the viewer mirroring the segregation Black Americans where subjugated to by their White counterparts. However this perspective of gazing off to the side, detaching the boy from the viewers gaze, also solidifies the boy’s identity as other than the painting or how others view him, he seems to defiantly live his own life despite k “nowing that everything he is doing is being put under the scrutiny of others. The boy has a distinct personality detached from the simple historical narrative of pity and struggle; he is free in a sense by not giving the viewer the satisfaction of seeing his entire face, as he still gains possession over his identity.
How does this object compare to other objects, stories, or ideas you already know about?
The painting like other Civil Right works of arts, is a political and social movement pointing out the flaws of society and its inherit prejeduce and bigotry. In leaving the person in the photo u a med, the artist creates a anonymity, suggesting that anyone could be on that boy’s position and further that millions of Black Americans have and still do face prejeduce that is unjustified, making the painting relevant to all of us, even today.
What choices do you think the museum made about the object’s display?
The painting was placed amount the other paintings regarding social change events like the Black Lives Matter Movement, Civil Rights movement, feminest movement etc, establishing the painting not merely as a pretty piece of art but as a rebellion in itself.
Group Members
Areeba Ali, Hannah Gomez
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The Arm Wrestle of Chip & Spike; aka: Star-Makers
Oscar Yi Hou
2020
What do you see going on in this work of art? Is there a story depicted?
This artwork depicts a Communist poster-style handshake of two friends. They appear worn-out and have expressions that don't fit in with their colorful background.
What different visual elements (ie: line, color, light, proportions, scale, composition, media type etc.) do you notice, and how do they help you make sense of the artwork?
This painting includes many abstractions, avoiding realism and becoming more abstract closer to the borders. Wide paint or pastel strokes were used, giving it a tangible texture. Since the main figures are very large (almost full size) and their faces are very detailed, the viewer is drawn to them immediately. The color scheme is deliberately vibrant and makes it stand out from neighboring works of art. The color pallete is unrealistic and makes the painting feel surreal.
How does this object compare to other objects, stories, or ideas you already know about?
It is shows a cultural camarederie (since the animals reference zodiac signs and the Chinese names of the figures portrayed). It is a very unique portrait in that it toes the line between abstract art and realism, using a classical portraiture style creatively.
What choices do you think the museum made about the object’s display?
This painting stands out because it lacks a frame and is very colorful (unlike the paintings around it with their mute palettes). It is also placed so as to contrast with the painting above it, which depicts two white upper-class American women clasping hands in a luxurious setting (while this one shows two working-class Chinese people in casual attire with an abstract backdrop).
Group Members
Sophia Hart, Adriana Ndokaj, Rebecca Barsegyan, John Lee, Brendan Kwan, Ahmed Radwan, Daniel Leyzerzon, Wilson Wu
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Shoe Shine
Ernest Crichlow
1953
What do you see going on in this work of art? Is there a story depicted?
Although the art piece is rather simple it poignantly captures the emotions and daily subjugation faced by Black Americans at the time. The young boy with his faded blue shirt and tired wandering expression seems tired not simply with his work at a soda factory but also at the unfair conditions of the time, he looks almost hopeless at the desolate conditions he sees himself and his fellow community tirelessly endure.
What different visual elements (ie: line, color, light, proportions, scale, composition, media type etc.) do you notice, and how do they help you make sense of the artwork?
The desolate mood is set up by the painting’s pack of colour; the boy is dressed in a faded blue shirt surrounded by a dark-brown background. The boy with the dull
Group Members
Areeba Ali, Hannah Gomez
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Bring a Folding Chair: A Portrait of Shirley Chisholm
Bisa Butler
2024
What do you see going on in this work of art? Is there a story depicted?
The artwork shows Shirley Chisholm raising her arms in the air. She’s wearing sunglasses and a skirt with folding chairs on it, along with textured patterns on her clothing.
What different visual elements (ie: line, color, light, proportions, scale, composition, media type etc.) do you notice, and how do they help you make sense of the artwork?
The artwork has vibrant colors and various patterns, especially on her outfit. The background has a green and white floral design. Chisholm is large compared to the canvas, making her stand out.
How does this object compare to other objects, stories, or ideas you already know about?
It connects to themes of Black empowerment, similar to other works celebrating civil rights leaders or political figures.
What choices do you think the museum made about the object’s display?
The museum likely chose to display it to honor Chisholm’s historical significance and her contributions to American politics.
Group Members
Rifa, Tasnin
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Shoe Shine
Ernest Crichlow
1953
What do you see going on in this work of art? Is there a story depicted?
The piece although si
Group Members
Areeba Ali, Hanah Gomez