Abstract This paper examines current issues in archaeology, most specifically the problems in American curation. The author describes the emphasis archaeology places on excavation, yet cites the lack of resources allocated for maintaining artifacts. The author further highlights the problems with storage facilities, conservation of artifacts, and making finds available to the public. The paper concludes stating that the curation crisis is the product of poor planning, idealization of field work versus curation work, and a zealous but misguided approach to archeology as a whole
From the Paper "Entire collections of artifacts across the country are simply vanishing or being hidden away so deeply that they are forgotten about completely, not to mention being stored in substandard conditions that do not preserve them for posterity. Items such as soil samples and bits of charcoal offer a wealth of information, however because they do not have any commercial value on the antiquities market, they are treated as if they are in fact worthless. Unfortunately, archaeological sites are becoming more rare, and as the availability of new artifacts lessens, it becomes even more important to care for the artifacts that have already been unearthed and continue having them available for further research. ("A Curation Crisis") The San Diego Archeological Center defines curation as the care, management, and use of archeological collections. "Care means that you prevent deterioration, management means that collections are organized and accessible, and use means that you use collections for scientific research, public education or cultural use." (San Diego) Curation is a matter of respect for the cultures from which collections have been obtained, as well as respect for the educational value of these artifacts for today and tomorrow, not to mention respect for the amount of work and money that has been invested in these collections. However, this respect is not currently an inherent part of the archaeological or curation process, and while steps are being taken towards improving the current conditions, a new approach must be taken in order to prevent further deterioration of collections and eventually fix the problem."
Abstract This essay discusses the importance of women in ancient Egyptian society in Gay Robin's book "Women in Ancient Egypt". The author examines strong royal women such as Nefertiti, and Nefertiti, and discusses women in Egyptian art. The paper also looks at the subordination of females in Egyptian society, but also how they were honored by their families.
From the Paper:
"Dr. Robins, curator of Egyptian art for the Carlos Museum, reevaluates the roles and importance of women in ancient Egyptian society as depicted in the art and written records of the time. The special role of women in religious rites is also surveyed. Women in Ancient Egypt is a book that shows us what the archaeological riches of Egypt really say about how the women of Egypt lived, both in the public and private eye."??
From the Paper "Dr. Robins, curator of Egyptian art for the Carlos Museum , reevaluates the roles and importance of women in ancient Egyptian society as depicted in the art and written records of the time. The special role of women in religious rites is also surveyed. Women in Ancient Egypt is a book that shows us what the archaeological riches of Egypt really say about how the women of Egypt lived, both in the public and private eye."
Abstract The life and career of the anthropoligist. The status she received in the field of anthropology. Controversy over her data and research in Samoa. Her field trips. Her theories of adolescence based on her work with primitive women in Samoa. Other fieldwork. Her careers as anthropologist, museum curator, University teacher, writer, lecturer.
From the Paper "MARGARET MEAD
Born on December 16, 1901, Margaret Mead became one of the world's leading anthropologists, and her fame became worldwide with the publication of her book "Coming of Age in Samoa". However, despite the good reviews the book received, and the status she achieved in the field of Anthropology, her career was beset in later years with controversy over her data and research in Samoa.
In 1925, she went on "her first field trip, to undertake a 'study in heredity and environment based on an investigation of the phenomenon of adolescence among primitive and civilized peoples.' Her task, as she described it, would 'involve working almost entirely with women, and should therefore add appreciably to our ethnological information on the subject of primitive women.'" (Howard 1995 1)"
This paper is an essay by a "curator" who must choose between buying "First Leaves, Near Mantes" by Jean Baptiste Camille Corot or "View of Paris from the Trocadero" by Berthe Marie Paul Morisot.
1,670 words (approx. 6.7 pages), 0 sources, 2002, $ 54.95
Abstract This paper describes the thought process necessary when buying a painting for a museum: "First Leaves, Near Mantes"by Jean Baptiste Camille Corot or "View of Paris from the Trocadero" by Berthe Marie Paul Morisot. The author points out that when buying a painting for a public collection, artistic merits, representation of an important moment in art, a step toward the next discovery, subject matter, painting techniques and what the painting represents both literally and figuratively to the buyer are important.The author, after discussing all these elements, selects the Corot: Corot paints the trees with such strong strokes that it takes but a tiny squint test to see that what he has done in composition alone, and this is prefigure to the abstractions of the century to follow.
From the Paper "In fact, the Impressionists followed him just about the time Morisot painted Trocadero. She was, in fact, an Impressionist, even if she lacked the notoriety of her brother-in-law, Edouard Manet. (She married his brother Eugene.) Morisot had studied with Corot when she tired of the classical approach to painting. But yet, her subject matter is more like the subject matter of classical paintings than is Corot"s.
Morisot has chosen ordinary people, although in a more formal setting than Corot's setting in the glade. Conceivably, from their dress and the fact that the city of Paris and all its cultural attractions is prominently displayed in the painting, these people are less ordinary"more noble?than those in the Corot work. That puts it a step closer to classical painting."
Tags: plein-air, impressionist, squint-test, step, public
Abstract Examines the relationship between museum educators and museum curators, the roles of each, overlapping of roles, the division of labor at museums, and the implications of a trend toward art as a cultural and historic artifact.
From the Paper "The development of museum education departments as the point of contact between the museum institution and the public has occurred in the context of museum mission ..."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the topic of the piano in history. Specifically, the paper discusses the three-hundred-year history of the piano. The piano is a fascinating instrument with a long history that includes many transformations. Today, the piano is still one of the most popular instruments for composers and musicians alike.
Contents
Introduction
The History of the Piano
The History and Construction of the Piano
Small Pianos in Europe and America, 1770-1795
Curators Who Keep Scores
From the Paper "The piano is one of our most popular instruments, and it enjoys a long and varied history. The piano we know and play today is far different from the first pianos, which resembled organs with pipes, and even stringed instruments. As one author writes, "To some the piano is merely a piece of furniture, to others it is a musical instrument. But this amazing machine is much more than just a large, wooden object: it is an intricate mechanical device designed to produce a vast range of musical tones" (Crombie). It seems the very first keyboard instruments were types of organs found as far back as Egypt in the second century B.C. (Wier 1). Initially, the keys were plucked, as on a harp or a harpsichord, and later, the keys were struck with a hammer or mallet, such as today's dulcimer."
Abstract This paper examines how Puck's character is instrumental to the success of "A Midsummer Nights Dream" and how Puck is the device that turns a play that could have been a tragedy into a comedy. It discusses how Puck plays the role of curator navigating us through the tricky parts of the play and how he controls the action in the woods near Athens, by using magical powers, mischievous spells and by purposely disobeying the orders of Oberon.
From the Paper "Puck, having received his orders from Oberon begins to set the plan in motion, but Puck the practical trickster adds his own magical spice to the orders he had received. After Oberon told Puck to anoint the man in Athenian clothing Oberon leaves the floor open for Puck to make a blunder of the situation. When Puck states, "Through the forest have I gone, But Athenian found I none..." it seems that Puck is getting aggravated by not finding the man, and in his haste he anoints the eyes of Lysander instead and actually sets the plot of the play in motion. When Puck sees Lysander lying on the ground he automatically assumes that it is the right man but it is not."
Abstract In this paper the author looks at what Guillaume Dufay's music meant in terms of music history. The author starts with a look at the Gregorian chant from Medieval times which was the main form of sacred music, how it developed and what it gave to modern music. The paper continues with a look at the other forms of music that have developed over the years and contributed to the work of Guillaume Dufay. In particular the author highlights the development of church music in the Renaissance period which, as he points out was the basis for Dufay's music compositions. The author discusses the life and works of Dufay's music as a move towards a clearly defined tonal and functional harmonic structure. The author believes that this helped prepare one of the most important stylistic developments in music of the following century. In conclusion the author reminds us that we are lucky to have the musical pieces that have been curated and restored. A number of Dufay's as well as other composers from that era had masterpieces destroyed because of the political climate.
Outline:
Table of Contents
Introduction
Gregorian Chant
Motet
Troubadour Influence
The Development of Musical Notation
Polyphony
Machaut
Guillaume Dufay a Biography
Dufay's Music
Dufay and Faux-bourdon
Dufay's Motets
Conclusion
From the Paper "Dufay began composing at a time when musical style was in a period of relative stability and changing that style was not readily accepted. Dufay cannot be thought of as one of the great revolutionaries in Western music; the term 'originality' in the classic sense of the word was not familiar to him. This is not to say, however, that Dufay was in any way lacking of originality or he was in any way reactionary. Quite to the contrary, he played an integral role in the development of faux-bourdon and the cyclic mass. He was one of the first composers to handle four-voice texture with any kind of convincing skill before the end of the 15th century. Furthermore, his attempt to move towards a clearly defined tonal and functional harmonic structure helped prepare one of the most important stylistic developments of the following century. Dufay's works and compositions have come to be known as the supremely polished works of a long period of slow and serene stylistic change."
