Due in class Monday, November 14, 2016 (Note this is one week later than the syllabus indicates) Late papers lose 10 points/day. Double-space, 12 pt font, 1" margins, name on 1st page only. STAPLE the paper with either a dated ticket stub/receipt or a brochure from each museum . You will take the role of an art critic by visiting any two dedicated art museums and then writing a 3-4 page comparison of the two spaces, including discussion of at least one exhibition from each. For this assignment, the art on display is secondary to how it is displayed—so pick any exhibits you want. Make sure you visit art museums, not commercial galleries where the art is for sale, or college art galleries, whose budgets are quite limited. Overall, how do the two places differ and how do their exhibitions affect you? Be sure to bring a notebook and a pencil (museums tend not to like pens). A first-person perspective is OK. A little snark is OK. Try to make it interesting—I want your voice to come out. Feel free to write it as if it will be published for your peers. Check museum websites for closed days and fees. Sometimes they are free. Consider, for example, the buildings themselves: -Architectural style (Does it complement the collections? Is it impressive? Weak?) -Museum and exhibition layout (Are the galleries arranged logically or are they confusing?) And within the specific exhibitions, take note of the following: -Exhibition theme (Is the title and rationale behind the exhibit clear? Do all objects clearly relate to it or do some seem “tacked on” to fill the space?) -Organization of the objects (Are they presented in some order or jumbled together with no obvious connection? Is the viewer's path clearly defined? Are the “best” works all together or spread throughout the show in different galleries?) You may briefly note favorite or detested works and explain why. -Display (framing/mounting; lighting/glare/shadows; even the graphics and wall color—these affect your mood and reaction, and may complement or distract from the objects) -Information provided about the show and the specific objects: Is there enough, or too much, or irrelevant info provided on wall texts and labels? Are the texts well written and cleanly presented? -Are any A/V interactives available? Are they helpful and easy to navigate…or poorly designed? -How about the atmosphere? Lively or solemn? Cold and oppressive, or inviting? Can you get a sense of other visitors’ reactions? -Note the good and the bad. Do not be afraid to be critical. Overall, how would you rate the success each of the two exhibitions? How might you change things and why? Please remember not to simply write up a diary of what artworks you saw…the assignment is to compare/contrast the entire exhibitions. Please mind museum etiquette: don’t get all pointy with the pencil (no pens) or fingers anywhere near the surface of an artwork…this tends to make guards fre.