Reactions to the LACMA visit

[Anonymous]

I very much enjoyed our guided tour through the Korean exhibits at LACMA. The cultural and historical richness of the Korean peninsula is something that is often overlooked in our curriculum. Does anyone know if LACMA provides complimentary buses for field trips?

[Anonymous]

I truly enjoyed the Korean exhibit at LACMA. The docent was very knowledgeable and her passion for the history made the tour much more appealing and interesting. I learned so much and will share that knowledge with the students.

[Anonymous]

The development of such exquisite art forms and works is humbling. When you immerse yourself in this world one cannot help but be in awe of the human spirit and the elegance of the refined creations of our fellow man. It energizes a respect for a culture. The South Korean artworks for example, such as the tapestries, are so rich with history that by comparison, American history is but a blink of the eye. The weight of this history moves you to honor its import and respect a sense of obligation to respect the other and our shared humanity. It makes you want to learn everything and peaceably relate with others. This is what our kids need.

The kids should analyze the concept of the "noble savage," however, before taking in tours such as this. Was the craftsperson behind the artwork forced against his or her will to produce such magnificent works?

[Anonymous]

For those of us in the LA area whose curricula touch on the Japanese samurai period, there is an upcoming LACMA exhibition that might serve as a wonderful edification for our students. The Resnick Pavilion is hosting "Samurai: Japanese Armor" from October 19 2014-February 1 2015, with a variety that looks wide enough to, as the publicity materials suggest, demonstrate the growth of samurai armor and how it reflects the evolution of warfare from clashes between small clans to the full-scale battles we all know from historical accounts as well as the pop culture images that have burned themselves into our collective brains. I'll be exploring the possibility of a trip here and probably taking a scouting expedition at some point in the early fall - I'll let you know if it lives up to its on-paper promise.

[Anonymous]

Although the trip was a bit rushed, I really enjoyed the exhibits at LACMA. The Japanese prints were particularly interesting to me, especially the ones that experimented with Western techniques while using Japanese subjects. I was very impressed with the technical precision of the prints as well as the beautiful images of geisha that were depicted. I also appreciated the way that there were art works that represented different time periods of Japan, and I found it interesting to see how the art pieces evolved over time. The advances in technical skill and craftsmanship were very obvious as the arts evolved in Japan. The exhibit on Korean artifacts was also very interesting. I was especially fascinated by the exhibit which showed the more commonplace items that were used by the members of the Korean court, such as their writing instruments and their writing tables. There was one portrait in particular that I found to be fascinating. It was of a member of the royal family, and it was drawn with a brush. It was so detailed that I initially thought it was a photograph. I took an introductory class in Chinese painting, and I learned first hand how difficult it it to draw lines that are consistent in width using a brush. So when I saw the Korean painting, I could really appreciate the skill of the artist in creating the fine lines used in the portrait. I wished the trip was longer, but it definitely made me more interested in Asian art.

[Anonymous]

What a difference a good docent makes! I was very pleased with our LACMA visit and learning about ancient Japanese and Korean treasures. This part of the Institute felt rushed and I would have liked more time.

[Anonymous]

I loved learning about the differences between the Chinese and Japanese gardens and even got my project idea from the Chinese garden. I noticed a wooden decorative piece in the Chinese garden that was comprised of many geometric shapes and thought there might be an interesting way to incorporate how these figures influenced Chinese art.

Arno Madathian

[Anonymous]

Throughout all the exhibits that we visit, I was most interested in the everday life artifacts because they helped me deduce my own outcome as to how they lived in theose corresponding parts of East Asia. I don't see much of an application in my math class, but the exhibits served to educate me and even me more understanding of the vastly different cultures in East Asia.

Arno Madathian

[Anonymous]

I also found myself most fascinated by what some of the native East Asian language speakers in our seminar had to say because they brought insight from personal experience that is second to seeing it presented through a powerpoint.

Arno Madathian

[Anonymous]

By the time we got to the LACMA I was tired and in need of caffeine, but there was no time. We asked. I was concerned about my ability to focus and retain the background information our docents added to the exhibits. I shouldn't have worried. Just seeing a beautiful lacquer box, ukiyo-e block prints of used commercially, and of course the incredible selection of kimonos revived my senses. The opportunity to see the Korean silk screen and national treasures along with more "ordinary" household items (for a Royal Court) being shared with us by someone who obviously felt connected to the works made it all the more special.
A reminder that our enthusiasm of the content is critical to engaging our students. Of course I have had an appreciation for the East Asian art, but after the Huntington and LACMA my enthusiasm has been sparked. I want to share what I've learned to build cultural literacy and community.

[Anonymous]

I really enjoyed the museum, especially the Kimono exhibit. I recently found a website in which the children could learn about the history of the Kimono, occasions for wearing Kimonos, and Kimono types and designs. Here is the link for anyone who is interested: http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/virtual/kimono
I recommend it!

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Kimonos, kimonos, kimonos... Who knew that at the same time they are expanding to create an empire of sorts... They are creating such great art. The carved block posters were so far ahead of their time... I thought I was looking at 1960's art.... But it was all early 1920's. It got me questioning where the art style started and what led to what. I want ties with all of those designs.. But it did get me wondering about who wore those kind of styles... What were the common people wearing? What was the real culture of the time... Or was what we were looking at simply the equal to Paris couture that really is never a part of the culture?

[Author]

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