Artifacts
Artifacts
* Unused
- These artifacts were laid out on the table outside of the gallery, and I took each item not knowing how I’d use them, but knowing it was better to have them and not need them than vice versa. Now that I’m wrapping up my research, I find no use for them.
- I think this artifact is important because it is the contact of the Head of the Art Department. It allowed me to email him to discuss my research project and ask for his permission on the matter.
* Map sketches
- These are visual representations of the spaces that I’ve been writing about in my fieldnotes. During each set, I would take about a minute to sketch the area that I was observing, for my benefit and for any reader’s benefit. Also, I found this more convenient with the gallery seeing as I didn’t want to take pictures of the interior while there was an exhibition.
Fieldnotes
- These are fieldnotes taken over the Halls of Poetry and Art sessions during Commerce Week on Writing as mentioned – and cited – above. Not only are the research journals important, but the original copies of notes I took, because the true knowledge gained from these meetings lie within them.
* Sept 30
- On September 30th, I sat outside of the gallery in the hallway and watched people passing by and took notes on the appearance and atmosphere of the Art Building. This set of notes was helpful in understanding the community surrounding the gallery; sitting there with people rushing past gave me a good feeling of the building.
* Oct 7
- October 7th simply describes the inside of the gallery, observing what kinds of pieces were there without writing about any in detail for privacy rights. I had to resort to just writing about the set up because there were no people visiting for me to see relationships between viewers and art. This was the beginning of my doubts on choosing the gallery as my fieldsite.
* Nov 19
- In November, the gallery was closed due to construction, so my only choice in fieldnotes was sitting in the hallway again. By then, I was more experience in what to write about and how to expand on my notes. I learned to write absolutely everything down, and it really helped looking back on them. Also, without this trip I wouldn’t have known about the Holiday Art Sale.
- These notes are really important because they describe the goings-on of the busiest days the gallery has seen so far this year. I think the opening nights have been trumped, which is saying something. I was thrilled to observe the gallery in this state, as happy and open as it was, and this event definitely helped me in the last steps of my research. It also helped me think of more codes, including AD – advertisement.
- These fieldnotes were only one step above unsuccessful and unhelpful. The library session of Commerce Week on Writing, although it gave me more insight on strictly literacy, didn’t really contribute to my research. Observing the town square was a disaster because I had trouble finding anything to write about! I got my map of the space for lease that day, though.
* Pictures
Beuys, Joseph. Multiple Capri-Batterie. Glühlampe mit Steckerfassung, Lemon; in Holzkists. 1985.
- This picture will be displayed in my final project slideshow as Mr. Odom describes it to illustrate visual literacy. In order to fully appreciate the minutes he spends on this topic, I thought the visual representation was necessary. I’m also going to add little animations to emphasize areas he talks about.
- Art Building
- The atmosphere of the Art Building is essentially a more outgoing version of the atmosphere in the gallery, and it’s important to grasp this and allow viewers to see this vibe during the slideshow. The pictures taken are very colorful and capture the essence of this area.
- Exterior
- Exterior 2
- Sign
- Hallway 1
- Hallway 2
- Flyers
- Studio
- Statues
- Ceiling
- Pictures
- Sculpture
- Gallery Sign
- Art Sign
- Gallery/Art Sale
- The art sale, being the busiest week the gallery usually sees, is important to show viewers. Pictures used thus far, and even videos, are vacant, so I want to show people the life within the gallery that is definitely there…sometimes. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to take pictures during opening nights, so it’s necessary to use these.
- Crowd in Hallway
- Advertisement Table
- Inside Gallery 1
- Inside Gallery 2
- Inside Gallery 3
- Register Sheet
- Ceramics
- Jewelry
- Cashier Table
- Poster Advertisement of Holiday Sale
Poster. “The University Gallery Presents: The Annual Holiday Art Sale.” TAMU-Commerce Campus. Fall 2009.
- This picture accounts for the only advertisement of the gallery outside of the Art Building. Period. It fully illustrates the lack of knowledge of the gallery’s existence on campus and supports Mr. Huber when he said the art majors and professors keep the gallery “hidden away.”
- This is a sheet that shows how many people signed up for an opening night in the gallery last year. Since collecting it, I’ve been recording how many people visit the gallery compared with how many people actually sign the register sheet and I was shocked at the outcome. Stay tuned for details!
*Interviews
Odom, Michael. Personal Interview. Cowhill Express. 03 Nov. 2009. Recording in possession of the author.
- This interview sets off my new research question and it’s really important because it helped me make sense of what I was reverting to. Every answer to my questions were helpful and I would use every one in my final project if time were not an issue. His project on the town square is a solution to the section of my research question on how to find a way to let community members know and appreciate visual literacy.
Huber, Gerard. Personal Interview. Mr. Huber’s office. 01 Dec. 2009. Recording in possession of the author.
- Mr. Huber’s interview was exactly what I needed as a last source to my project. I had been wanting to interview him for his insider’s opinions on the gallery as a hub for solely artists, and I got what I wanted. His perspective on the gallery brought themes and patterns to Odom’s interview and will tie in perfectly with my final project as they talk about the same issues with different views.
- Hours were spent listening and replaying the recording of Odom’s interview and typing the exact words he and I spoke, even to the point of including verbal pauses at first. This script was my saving grace when it came to figuring out what to use for my audio essay for my fourth writing assignment.
