Museum Catalog Entry

Museum Catalog Entry
Task: This project takes the form of a museum catalog entry on a selected object of design. The
entry must incorporate all salient facts about the object, such as information about its designer,
materials, and function; the entry must also include interpretive information that explains the
historical significance of the object, and that contextualizes that significance in terms of
economics, culture, aesthetics, and technology.
Ideally, you will use the designed object from either journal or your product pitch. Please contact
your professor if none of these objects are applicable.
Final Product: A PPT project that is 10 slides
Main components and due dates:
(Due June 28, 2021) Outline and working bibliography: 20 pts/20 percent of project
Students will submit a brief outline of their catalog entry via completing the survey.
– What exhibit are you planning?
– What is the topic?
– 2 websites or databases you will search for information on the topic that is NOT
Wikipedia

The object for entry is titled Weeping Woman with Handkerchief. The oil on canvas object traces
its history to 1937 Spain. The dimensions of the object are 53.34 x 44.45 cm. The object was
made in Southern California, and was later donated to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art
as a gift by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mitchell. At the moment, the piece is on public display at the
third floor of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum.
Database/Website you will use 1
Picasso for Portland. Portland: Portland Art Museum, 1970.
Database/Website you will use 2
Brown, J. Carter, Jennifer Montagu, and Michael E. Shapiro. Rings: five passions in world art.
Harry N. Abrams, 1996.

Be sure to speak about the message and creation of the painting vs the cubism aspect of it,
how is it a. designed piece.

Final product (60 points or 60% of project):
A project of 10 slides, breakdown as follows:
Slides 1 and 10: cover page and reference page

Slide 2: (Museum Catalog Introduction)
– Provide some sort of thesis statement concerning the exhibition.
– What museum would this be most appropriate in? (If it is already in a museum,
choose another)
– Why has your museum created this exhibit? Why did they add this object (In
other words, why did you select your chosen museum?)
– What is the main goal of the exhibition?

Slide 3: (Context)
– What have others said about your item? This is where you will pull your research and
sources into the research. If you are doing an exhibition on the evolution of the telephone,
for example, what have experts said about its impact throughout history?
– What are the main objects you selected to support the exhibition’s goal? How do they
support this goal?
Slide 4: (Other items in the exhibit)
– What are 3 other items in this exhibit that help explain the main item you are addressing.
For example, if you are doing the cellphone, you may start with the first phone, a rotary
phone, then a cordless phone to show the evolution.
Slide 5-6: (Introduction to the main item)
– What is the main item on display of the center of this exhibit? What is its background?
– Describe it: what materials does it use? Where was it made? How was it made? Give the
basics. Be sure to include images.
Slide 7-8: (Historical and cultural value)
– Describe how this object contributes to the whole of the exhibit. Why is it necessary to be
in the exhibit? How does it help describe the culture/society/time where it exists?
– This is more of an analysis of an object and its place in the exhibit than a summary or
overview. Be sure to include images.
Slide 9: (Conclusion)

– How do you think this will evolve?

Be sure to use a proper academic format such as APA, MLA, Chicago
Presentation:10 points/10% of project: Students will spend about 5 minutes discussing their
exhibition. They will present slides 5-8 (E.g., why should they be celebrated or on display?)

Examples:
https://www.csus.edu/indiv/o/obriene/art116/readings/writing%20an%20entry%20in%20an%20e
xhibition%20catalog.pdf
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_art_history/museum_catalog.ht
ml