Cultural Event

As a way of experiencing the Humanities beyond the classroom, I attended a museum. On Saturday, June 8, 2013, I attended a museum called Georgia Museum of Art. It is located at 90 Carlton Street, in Athens Georgia.

My initial reaction before I entered the museum was fear. I didn't know what to expect, and I felt that I would feel out of place. I felt like I was visiting a new town or city, I felt like a traveler. Upon arrival and entering the museum, my perspective changed. The building was large in size, pure white, with an open layout. This automatically made me feel welcomed, and made me feel at ease. There was a sense of calmness and piece beyond the walls. Once a person enters the building there is a hostess that greets you. The hostess that greeted me was named Lily, she provided me with a program to the museum, and the rules and regulations that guest are required to follow. Food and drinks weren't allowed in the galleries (I'm guessing to protect the art), loud conversations were not permissible, the gallery allowed photographs of the art but, with camera's without a flash. Next, individuals had two choices, they could be guided by a tour guide provided by the museum, or a person would be able to view to displays on their own. I decided since this was my first time at an art museum, I wanted to view the museum on my own without other individuals present.

While viewing the many paintings/sculptures in the gallery, the first sculpture that gained my attention was a 19th-century art and ritual that is called: "Face Jug". This sculpture was very interesting to me. While it was considered a jug, that usually has a purpose of carry water, the sculpture had a very distinctive face. The jug had very huge eyes, wide mouth, and teeth it actually looked as if at one time this jug could have been a sculpture of an actual person. According to the sculpture, it is a pottery that was created by a community of enslaved African Americans, in South Carolina.

The other painting that captured my eyes was a painting by Ben Aronson, it was called Cityscapes. This painting reminded me of home in a way. It depicts architect and pedestrian scenes of urban life. The bridge looks like many of the bridges in New York, and shows the true essence of movement in the picture. It is amazing how one could find a way to make a picture look alive as well as stand still at the same time.

My overall reaction to attending this event was truly an unforgettable one. I always wanted the chance to experience a live art museum. I guess I never took the time out to actually attend one because, of how I would feel. I have no experience with art, nor do I have an interest for it. But because of this Humanities class, and my experience of attending this museum it has opened up my eyes to a whole new view. I guess this what an artist view's when they are painting or sculpting their pieces. We have