Part 2

Xavier Estrada #5

Field Notes

a. DATES. START & END TIMES:

1st Visit: September 30, 2018 from 9 am to 12 pm

2nd Visit: November 10, 2018 from 2 pm to 5 pm

b. LOCATIONS VISITED & GENERAL LAYOUT

The only location visited was the Chicago Field Museum; Exhibit: Ancient Egypt

c. PRE-FIELDWORK THOUGHTS AND EXPECTATIONS:

I chose to look at Ancient Egypt because of the mysteries that are associated with their society.

Growing up, I was always intrigued by their structure of government as I began studying King

Tutankhamun and other well-known rulers of the time. Additionally, I was interested in studying their

faith, use of burials, and their art. During middle school I remember our class spending a large chunk of

time studying ancient Egyptian culture. Unfortunately, there is not much that I remember about the

Egyptian people other than their faith based ideas of an afterlife in which the deceased need their

materialistic goods. Egyptian society has proved to have consisted of very intelligent people, building

structures in ways we have yet to understand as well as generally artistic people. I hope that by choosing

this topic I will find a nice balance of artistic representation and overwhelming intelligence.

d. OBSERVATIONS/DESCRIPTIONS:

This display of pottery is the first display you see when entering the exhibit. You can clearly see through this image

the diverse use of pottery having wide bowls, tall bowls, wide vases, short vases, etc. and how this art is mastered.

Additionally, you can see the difference in materials they began to modify and the deep level of artistic knowledge

needed.

This image really captures the sophistication of the ancient

Egyptians. Having made pottery before I can’t even begin to

imagine the patience needed to perfectly create this circular

mouth. Not only that but the technology and understanding of

molding needed to create such a smooth and round surface

are mastered as evident through their work.

To the left we see the outside of the reconstruction of the tomb of Unis-ankh. The display of architecture in the museum is a cool and accurate representation of what Egypt may have looked like . I think it’s interesting to compare such structures to what we may see in the city and visualize the differences between our societies. Additionally, it’s interesting to realize

how aware society was with the Earth and their ability to create doors, walls, windows using such a large form of

‘brick’.

What may have been the 2nd section of the museum by design was the focus on architecture. To the left we see the

alignment of these large stones and the functions early architecture served. Not only did architecture provide shelter

but it really was viewed as a form of art either through a canvas or as vaguely seen in structures like the pyramids and Sphinges of Egypt. I also thought it was cool to capture the

grand scale effect the art and size of the structures served. As visible in the 3rd image, if you were to be walking into this

pathway, you would immediately see the art on the walls that completely covered the inside of these structures. As often

thought in fundamental art classes, all the space should serve a purpose. I feel that mindset was very vivid when

experiencing the architecture in the exhibit. In particular these decorations symbolize the life and care of the spirit going on

forever .

On the topic of art, the exhibit shifts focus from architecture to the lifestyle of early Egyptians and their use of jewelry to

express themselves either religiously or socially. To the left we see a number of bracelets made of different materials. I

thought it was important to note the range in color and size of Egyptian jewelry.

The earrings pictured are solid gold and molded to form perfect circles. In contrast, we see larger gold earrings and vaguely see the same perfect shape just in a different size. I

feel it is important to begin to imagine the different uses these earrings served related to emotion and social setting. Ex.,

What earrings should I wear today?

As we move along in the exhibit we begin to see a change in the walls around us. No longer are they sophisticated brick but

more or less raged edged natural walls. This setting is then tied into the burials we begin to in the picture to the left.

The human mummies in the exhibit are all coated with a gold head frame which ties into the earlier theme of self representation. We

begin to see the importance of presentation related to the after life.

The woven papyrus sandals really caught my attention as we see the difference in purpose and artistic design. Because the

sandals served their purpose there was no need to change them or even personalize them in anyway whatsoever.

The rings served similar purposes as the amulets but thanks to these rings as well as the colors on the coffins, we are able to conclude the purpose for certain colors such as green being a

symbol for fertility.

The pic to the left shoes a royal shoe depicted by the elongated toe going upwards. This small hint of personality too served a function

serving as a form of social hierarchy.

The image to the left was used as a mirror helping people apply their cosmetics. Additionally there were brushes used to

apply cosmetics made in all different sizes for various functions.

The image to the left shows the amulets used to wrap up the deceased providing a form of protection from evil spirts as

well as negative energy. These amulets were also worn by the living.

Wooden models such as the one to the left were placed in the tombs of the deceased serving as the real thing. Here the living wanted to send the dead into the after

life making the after life as close to living life as possible. Thus this wooden figurine showed friend and

family in company as they would have been when living.

“Sekhet, the lioness, is the hostile aspect of Bastet the kind cat”. Legend suggests that Sekhet was

called to punish humanity for plotting rebellion. She enjoyed blood so much that humanity had to play a

trick on her causing her to sleep for eternity and thus humanity was saved.

These figurines were sculptures of the many Gods used to solve and guide the people through daily common everyday problems. These sculptures are made of bronze and range in

sizes depicting Gods and Goddesses.

• What is the central theme of the exhibit?

The central theme of the exhibit revolves around the concept of death. At the entrance of the

exhibit there is a clear difference in lighting going from a very well lit setting [outside of the exhibit] to a

very dark and ancient setting [when entering the exhibit]. Additionally, the use of space also depicts a

theme of death. I personally felt a little claustrophobic as the exhibit itself was somewhat crowded.

However , I do think that may have purposely been done as the Egyptians were buried with all their

belongings. When these material artifacts were discovered, it may too have been overwhelming for

paleontologists recovering all these materials. Adding on, the lack of color also contributes to the

gloomy concept of death. In the pictures above there is a lack of color with the exception of color in

Jewelry. Other than gold, and the hues used in makeup, the colors used throughout this exhibit are

colors of the ground. Soft browns, greys, and black help portray the image of the afterlife.

• Consider the target audience and the extent to which the exhibit is successful.

To me, there was no clear target audience the exhibit is trying to engage. I do however think

that it is predominately portraying information for adults. Unfortunately, I do remember as children my

friends and I were always interested in talking about mummies. While at the exhibit, mummies may

have been the only part of ancient Egyptian life children were able to fully experience. I did notice

however there was one engagement box for children holding earrings and footwear made of papyrus

that were in eye level of most children however this box was put in the back of the exhibit almost hiding.

Because the exhibit seems to have been made for adults, I do believe the exhibit is successful. I

also believe the theme of death is best fit for adults who have a better understanding of this concept

than children do. I do however think that the attempt to inform the children was poorly executed in this

exhibit. There was not enough engagement for children. Additionally, the dark setting would not have

been suitable for younger children and may have also been overwhelming.

• Does the display accurately depict the culture you researched? Where did the information

about this culture come from?

Overall, the exhibit does accurately depict early Egyptian society. The information found

throughout this exhibit has been provided by the society itself. It is my understanding that because of

the amount of artifacts discovered over the years, scientists have been able to accurately depict

Egyptian culture better than most cultures. Thanks to the culture itself, we have been fortunate enough

to answer most of the questions we have about their lifestyles and beliefs.

e. Post- Fieldwork Reflection

• Collect background research on your subject (online). Compare your pre-

fieldwork thoughts, observations and background research. To what extent were your

preconceptions confirmed, challenged, etc. What did you learn? Review and discuss your

research methods.

As mentioned in my proposal, my goal was to really focus on the artistic

representation of Egyptian society. Using tools, pottery, architecture and art in the museum

I was hoping to understand Egyptians and their behaviors. I knew the role art played in

death however I did not know much about its role in life for Egyptian society. I began my

journey reading about the importance of art in Egypt learning that art really was not

defined in Egyptian society.

Perhaps the most supportive piece of evidence to support such a claim is the idea

that we cannot put an individual or a name to the material artifacts scientists have found.

Additionally, all the ‘art’ we have found served a function. The amulets in the images above

were found surrounding the mummies in the same way bandages were used however the

amulets were used to protect a person from harm. The figurines were sculpted and served

as cures to day to day problems warding off negative energy and evil spirits. Pottery was

used for drinking, eating and the storage of surplus foods. All the jewelry, cosmetics and

mirrors found in the museum all served a purpose to the individual. As scholars suggest,

there really was no awe factor that I certainly had while viewing these artifacts.

As I then visited the museum it was interesting to realize what function these

artifacts actually served compared to what I would have originally believed. My original

thinking was that there was indeed some personal enjoyment that came from the

completion or even possession of some of these artifacts. However this theory really was

shut down after having visited the museum and learning all that I did. At the end of my

visits there really was not one artifact that I can confidently say served only an artistic

function.