Part One: The Dallas Museum of Art
Mission Statement of the Dallas Museum of Art:
"Pursue excellence in collecting and programming, present works of art across cultures and time, and be a driving force in contemporary art. Strengthen our position as a prominent, innovative institution, expanding the meaning and possibilities of learning and creativity."
1.1 The Exterior of the Building and its Urban Context
Study the exterior of the DMA on the side you enter. Pay attention to the neighborhood and the architecture of other buildings around it. Respond to the following prompts.
Describe the way the DMA fits into the surrounding Dallas Arts District (other museums, concert and performance halls, Klyde Warren Park). Consider how you traveled to and arrived at the museum. Consider the building materials, style, color, open spaces around it, and windows and entrances. Compare and contrast it to other buildings or spaces you see in the area. How might this exterior space serve various communities in Dallas? Utilize language and concepts from your textbook in your discussion.
1.2 The Interior of the Building
Get a museum map at the Information Desk. Take notes as you explore the museum's interior.
In one paragraph, describe and discuss the following aspects of the museum's interior:
- The transitions between large, public spaces and smaller, more intimate exhibition spaces
- The plan (layout of the parts of the building and the ease or difficulty of navigating them)
- The access between floors
- The lighting (its effect on the artworks and also on the viewer's experience of the artworks)
- The building materials (including their colors and textures and how they affect the way you view the artworks displayed)
- Do more than simply describe the space - make observations about it and how it may affect a museum visitor's experience.
1.3 The Role of the Museum in the Community
The Dallas Museum of Art presents us with a diverse collection of art from many different cultures and historical periods. Explore the entire museum, including floors 3 and 4. Pay attention to the world regions, countries, cultural groups, religious beliefs, themes, and time periods represented in the vast collections.
Write a long paragraph in which you respond to the following questions with specific details:
- How does the DMA teach visitors to understand and respect cultural diversity?
- How do DMA educational materials such as labels, videos, maps, and pamphlets enhance your understanding of people from other cultures and periods in history?
- What role do you think the DMA plays in our community? In other words, what is its purpose?
- In addition to exhibiting artwork, what other cultural events are hosted by the DMA?
- Do you think the DMA is user-friendly? Why or why not?
- Did the museum design and the museum staff do anything to make your visit a success? If so, what? If not, what could they have done to enhance your experience?
Part Two: Analyzing The Artwork
Read the instructions, take the required selfies, and write notes on your artworks for Part Two.
2.1 Formal Analysis
Choose one artwork from one of these collections: Contemporary art (1st floor, or sculpture garden), Ancient Mediterranean (2nd floor), or European art (2nd floor). Do NOT write about anything in the hallway or in the Center for Creative Connections (children's educational area) - zero credit will be given.
Identify the artwork using the information on the museum label or wall text. Type the information after the prompts below. If something is missing from the label, leave that part blank.
Title: The Descent from the Cross
Artist's name, if known: Derick Baegert
Region/country/culture: Germany
Medium/materials: Oil on an Oak Panel Constructed on five vertical boards
Date: 1480 - 1490
DMA collection number:5347826
Photograph of the work:
Write a long paragraph analyzing your chosen artwork in response to the following prompts:
- Explain how the artist used 3 visual elements from this list, making specific references to your chosen artwork: line, shape, contrast, volume, mass, texture, value, space, color.
- Explain how the artist used 2 design principles from this list, making specific references to your chosen artwork: unity, variety, balance, scale, emphasis, pattern, rhythm.
- Explain the media (materials) and processes the artist used to create your chosen artwork. (In other words, what is it made out of and how did they make it?)
- Offer an interpretation of this work of art based on this analysis.
Review visual elements, design principles, and media in Units 1 and 2 of the textbook to do well on this part.
2.2 History and Cultural Context
The context of art is the set of social, historical, cultural, philosophical and/or religious circumstances in which the artwork was created.
Choose one work from the following collections: Arts of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific (3rd floor) or Ancient Art of the Americas. The only "American" art you can use for this part is art from traditional Native American, ancient Mesoamerican, or ancient South American cultures. If you aren't sure what this means, ask a museum staff person to show you where to look and what to avoid.
Identify the artwork using the information on the museum wall or brochure text. Type the information after the prompts below. If something is missing from the label, leave that part blank.
Title: YakushiNyorai (Buddha of Healing)
Region/country/culture: Asian/Japan
Medium/materials: Wood, Japanese Cypress
Date: c. 1150
DMA collection number:
Photograph of the work:
Read the museum information provided for your chosen artwork and read general labels in the gallery. Refer to Unit 3 of your textbook for additional information. If you use the internet or any other sources, be sure to provide a Works Cited.
Based on information from museum labels, wall text, brochure text, and Unit 3 of your textbook, but in your own words, write a long paragraph explaining the context of your chosen artwork. Questions you might answer for this part include:
- According to museum information and your textbook, what major historical events occurred at the time the artwork was created? How do these events relate to the work and vice versa?
- According to museum information and your textbook, what technological developments or scientific discoveries may have influenced the artist or provided information necessary to complete the work?
- According to museum information and your textbook, what are the key philosophical or spiritual beliefs of the time and culture?
- According to museum information and your textbook, what are the social and cultural influences on the work? Consider: social structure (individualistic or collectivistic), gender and other identity issues, patrons, intended audience (for personal use, private collection, royalty, the public, other artists), and original purpose of the work (religious ritual, functional, ceremonial, memorial, political).
- According to museum information and your textbook, what is the meaning and/or function of your chosen artwork?
2.3 Intuitive Response/Cultural & Intercultural Awareness and Engagement (10 points)
Answer this question in a paragraph of four or more sentences: What did you learn about yourself (your beliefs and interests) and what did you learn about your own culture by studying artworks in the diverse collections of the Dallas Museum of Art?
Selfie #1
It must show you in front of the entrance to one of the galleries on the 3rd floor (the name of the gallery must be visible). Resize so it's not too large. If you can't visit the museum in person, then post selfies of you at home with your computer open to the DMA website.
Selfie #2
This selfie must show you with one of the two artworks on which you have written. The artwork MUST be in the museum's permanent collection for you to photograph it. Resize so it's not too large. If you can't visit the museum in person, then images of the work you are writing about.