Ethnographer: Rui Su Location: New Museum (235 Bowery, New York, NY, 10002) Date: Thursday, October 20, 2016 Time: 3:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. (3 hours)

1. These are masks that are hanging on the wall in the educational center. The theme for the
educational center was focusing on theatrical movements and work samples, therefore
masks definitely convey a message leading the hint. During the few minutes that I stayed in
front of the masks, seldom people looked up and noticed them.

2. On the table in middle of the educational center, there were booklets of artwork/ theatrical
works with synthesis and introduction. The introductions were printed black and white, image
were relatively small on the A4 paper. Sometimes it turns to be a little difficult to read into it
because of the layout and font size. Throughout the entire time I have stayed, there were no
group or individual stopping for the booklet. However, one of them were opened before I
started trying to read it.

3. This is a typical introduction about exhibitions at the New Museum. The text appears on the
wall (usually first thing that the visitors see) and no illumination were there. In cases like the
Pixel Forest, it became impossible to read the text. Throughout observation, many people
have tried to read into the text, however the long introduction seems to be a big commitment
that many people did not stay very long reading about it.

4. These two groups of people started looking out the window without trying to read anything
inside of the educational center. As they were talking, it showed that they were interested in
where the building physically locates and that they could see people on the street. The group
stayed longer than I did, they had conversations that outside of the context of the museum.

5. The stools were in shape of the lab the artist had. The couple in the photo stayed and
finished watching entire reel of video. Sitting on different stool it allows visitors to see
different parts of the hall --- to observe closer of particular part of the comic on the wall, read
about the artist, or watch the movie. After the the pair had left, a group of high school
students came in and took over the place as a hang out area. They grouped around the

6. stools and started talking about their daily life and school. They did not pay much attention
looking at the exhibition.
Many people on the floor stopped and stared at this comic, and more sat on the stool in
order to look at it closer/ longer. Some people took selfie with it, which is the new way of
interaction; rarely anyone came up close and touched the wall.

7. In this area, beds are provided for people to lay on to watch the video on the ceiling. Due to
the capacity, many people waited in the waiting area observing others already laying on the
bed; the ones got spots on the bed concentrated on the videos and most of them stayed
through the entire video. Everybody was quiet. They also tried to be slow and quiet taking off
their shoes or getting in/ out of the bed as well as having very light conversations.

8. This lighting installation caught my eyes as many people stopped to take photos. On the
opposite side of this wall, there is another corresponding saying as well. There were no
iteration about the light anywhere around, so most people just stopped for the picture. I have
overheard a few groups saying “That`s pretty cool” or “Hmmmm”, which I assume indicates
interest; many wanted to look around to check out what the expression meant but failed to
find them.

9. The semi-transparent curtain were project on with different images. The one in this photo
was plants; there were others of people, sea and etc. People enjoyed walking in between the
curtains, and some have been discussing about it trying to figure out the meaning.

10. This is a somewhat isolated public space for people to watch videos. It fits one person in at a
time, and many people have been intrigued by it. The content can be provocative or strong
in terms of graphic, some people did not stay through one video.