Art Gallery Visit 2

Step 1: The Exhibition

Questions about the exhibit:
1. What is the title of the exhibit?

R William Doolittle Gallery
2. What is the theme of the exhibition?

Historical Buffalo

 Step 2: The Gallery

Questions about the physical space:
1. What type of lighting is used?

Lights were on the ceiling with their attention turning towards the works on the wall. The lights weren’t extremely dim, but they weren’t powerful either. There was ample light to keep the works hidden in a way so you needed to get closer to them to see all the detail.
2. What colors are used on the walls?

The walls were a dark gray.
3. What materials are used in the interior architecture of the space?

The gallery had light wooden floors that were very new and well kept. The walls were a dark gray and ceiling lights reflected into the walls.
4. How is the movement of the viewer through the gallery space?

I ventured through the beginning of the gallery, where the gallery name appears. I started to my right, with the Pan-Am Express Logo. The room was in the shape of a square and the works flowed through out the walls. The longest wall had 5 works on it. The next had 4, followed by three on one wall, two on another and one on the last.

Step 3: The Artwork

 Questions about the artwork:
1. How are the artworks organized?

It seemed as each wall was in their own chronological order. The were equally distant from each other on the walls and weren’t laid out by size.
2. How are the artrworks similar?

Each work, aside from black and white works, had very vibrant colors. It seems as though the paintings were lighting up the room, not the lights. Most were made of oil on canvas. They are all reflecting the history of Buffalo. They each also depict some sort of movement, whether it be people walking in the streets, cars moving, or water movement.
3. How are the artworks different?

Each picture had their own theme and reflecting something bigger than what was depicted. They were also different in size. The use of color was also different.
4. How are the artworks framed?

Each work had their own  style and size of frame but all of the frames were either gold or of a brown tint.
5. How are the artworks identified and labeled?

The labels to each work of art were shown to the right of that work. They contained a title, date, and author as well as a description of the work.
6. What is the proximity of the artwork to each other?

Each work was equally spaced out on the walls. There was enough space between each work but they were in a reasonable space to each other to show their relationship. 

Step 4: Art Criticism Exercise

1. Artist: A. Raphael Beck

Title of work: President McKinley Delivering His Last Great Speech at the Pan-American Exposition

Media: oil on canvas

Date: September 5th, 1901, 1902

Size: the size wasn’t given on the label

Be receptive - Keep an open mind.  Look for what is good.  No put-downs allowed.

Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)? 

The main subject that stands out to me when looking at this work is the draped flag behind President McKinley. He is also a dominant figure in the work, but because of the colors of the flag, my eyes are immediately drawn towards it. Behind the President are many many people all coming together. Tall buildings can be seen in the background with puffy clouds looming over them. It looks as if the crowd is gathering around the President for his speech. The figures in the foreground are very clear, but as the work extends, the figures become blurred yet the buildings appear very clear. 

Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are they used?

Space is the main element seen in this work.The way the people are blurred into the background from the foreground allows the audience understand the large nature of this gathering. Large buildings are seen in the background, allowing the audience to also grasp the concept of space seen in the work. Emphasis is also very apparent in the work. Most emphasis is placed in President McKinley and the American flag in the foreground of the work, which also contains the most color. The flag is attention grabbing. The author also allows the audience to grasp a sense of unity. The gathering of people around a figure creates that sense of unity, unity of a people perhaps and unity of a city or country. 

Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography) 

When I look at this work of art, I am reminded of Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech he delivered in front of his audience. I am also reminded of any major Presidential speech that always has an influence over people. Aside from the title of the work, one may not know who’s represented in the work but with the addition of the American flag, the audience can understand that he is a political figure; a president. 

Interpretation - (content)  What do you think the artist was trying to say? 

I think the artist was trying to portray President McKinley as a great figure. He is the largest figure in the work and exactly in the foreground. There seems to be many people gathering around for his speech, so many that they become blurry in the distance. The American flag is also very distinct, attracting the audiences eye. The flag appears to be larger than him, making his presidency seem larger than life. People are attracted to him and I feel the author wants us to understand that he was a great political figure and adored by many. 

2. Artist: Claire Shuttleworth

Title of work: Flags Flying, Avenue of the Allies, Main St, Buffalo

Media: oil on canvas

Date: 1919

Size: the size wasn’t given on the label

Be receptive - Keep an open mind.  Look for what is good.  No put-downs allowed.

Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)? 

Looking at this work, I see an alleyway. Many people are gathered in the street. It appears to be a sunny day, as a shadow casts over the sidewalk from the buildings. The main elements that can be seen in this artwork are the numerous flags of different countries. France, Britain, the United States, Germany, Italy and another countries flag that I cannot make out, China possibly, can all be seen in this work. The are all scattered and hanging out of windows in the alleyway, waving in the wind with a sense of pride. Many people are also gathered down this alleyway, as if it’s a sort of parade of festival going on. 

Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are they used?

Color is the most apparent element in this work. Neutral colors are used through out the work but the flags add emphasis. Space is also an element seen in this work. The buildings are in perspective and their placement allows the audience to capture the sense of space. Emphasis can also be seen when looking at the flags. They contrast the neutral colors in the rest of the work and may be used to catch the viewers eye. Movement can also be captured when viewing this work. The size and placement of specific flags and the array of people through out the work allow the audience to feel that sense of movement. The gathering of people in this work as well as the flags also entail a sense of unity, a sense of coming together. 

Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography) 

Symbolism is the main element you can see in this work. The waving flags representing different countries gives the audience a sense of pride for that country. When looking at this work, I am reminded of a festival representing different countries. Many people are gathered on the street as if they’re all coming together for a certain cause, this may also explain why the different flags are represented in the work. Waving flags remind of the 4th of July, when all Americans take pride in their country and what it stands for. 

Interpretation - (content)  What do you think the artist was trying to say? 

The label next to the work said this work represented the Avenue of the Allies. It was completed after the end of World War I and the flags represent a celebration the people were having. The countries represented were the countries that the United States was in an alliance with through out the war. I think the artist was trying to give the audience a sense of patriotism just by viewing the work. I think we are supposed to understand the alliance between the countries and also be able to view it in this work. People are gathered together, I can assume people from the various countries, and the flags are waving, giving a relaxing yet patriotic feel to the work. We are meant to understand the alliance between the countries, as well as the sense of pride. Heritages are coming together while the countries came together in war efforts. 

3. Artist: Mildred C. Green

Title of work: The Growth of Buffalo

Media: oil on canvas

Date: 1930’s

Size: the size wasn’t given on the label

Be receptive - Keep an open mind.  Look for what is good.  No put-downs allowed.

Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)? 

When looking at this work, I see a lot of movement. Each figure in this work represent a form of transportation, just as the label at the bottom right corner says. The Peace Bridge is seen in the background with a large ship coming in. I train can be seen entering into the work from the left side and right below it is a horse and carriage as well as what may have been a bus in that time. Planes can be seen immediately above the Peace Bridge flying through out the sky. To the right, we can see another horse and carriage entering as well as another mode of transportation which I am not 100% sure of what is it. Railroad tracks can be seen in the foreground of the work. The colors are very light, some seeming like a pastel. Grass and trees can also be seen, taking away from the industrial sense. 

Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are they used?

Movement is a major element in this work. All figures represent a mode of transportation. These factors contribute to the sense of growth. Space can also be seen in this work. The way elements are placed allows the audience to capture that sense of space and its entirety. Balance can also be understood in the work. Elements on the left side of the work balance out the number of elements on the right side of the work. The different modes of transportation in this work capture the element of line as well. Horizontal and vertical lines are the most apparent. They also guide the viewers eye through out the painting. 

Bracketing - Is there anything in or about this work that reminds you of anything else? Do you see any symbols, metaphors, or allegories?  (iconography) 

Because of the modes of transportation used in this work, I am immediately reminded of the Industrial Revolution. I feel this is the creating of Buffalo perhaps, and it being industrialized. People are entering, trains and planes are entering and a major ship is also entering. Many are coming and starting the creation and growth of Buffalo. Different elements add to the diversity of the city. The Peace Bridge is a major symbol in this work. It is very apparent and I feel if the audience didn’t know the title of the work, the bridge would be easy to point out. This is our link to Canada. It reminds us of our proximity to them although a different country. This work draws me to the history of Buffalo and it’s strong sense of a new life. 

Interpretation - (content)  What do you think the artist was trying to say? 

I think the artist was trying to make the audience understand how much of a great city Buffalo was when it was at its growth. Many people in many ways were entering to the city and contributing to its growth and heritage. The different modes of transportation allow us to understand the different classes of people entering the city. We see planes, ships, trains and carriages with horses. The array of people entering had a different effect on the growth of the City. 

 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 feel viewing the exhibit by looking at its surroundings adds to the visit in general. Seeing the works around other works that represent the same theme enrich the experience. The number of works, the color of the walls, and the lighting all have an effect on the understanding and totality of the gallery and the visit. They add to your understanding and experience.