Deciphering the Image
Name
Date
Item Title
Item URL
All responses must be word-processed. Attach clearly labeled pages as needed to
respond fully to each question.
1. Item Identification:
a. What is depicted in this image?
2. Material
a. Of what materials is the item made?
b. Were the materials commonplace or unusual?
c. Were the materials American or imported?
3. Approximate dimensions:
a. Is the object life sized? If not explain.
b. Is it a three dimensional object? Why was this style of design chosen?
c. Would a visitor to the Exhibition come into contact with the material of this
exhibit?
4. Composition or Form:
a. Does the object appear to have been intended for a functional or artistic use?
b. Is the object designed in a style, which you can identify? If so, what is its style?
c. Is the object decorated in a manner that is separate from its primary use?
5. Content:
a. Is a story told or a topic spoken of by this item? If so, what is the story or topic?
b. Is the story or topic presented in a way, which indicates the designer's opinion? If
so explain what this opinion is and how you see it in the object.
c. Where is this item located in the overall Exhibition plan? Is this placement
significant to the story or topic spoken of by the item?
d. Is this a one of a kind item or one produced in multiple? Is this significant to the
story or topic spoken of by the item?
6. Hypotheses:
a. To what extent can this item be read as a statement about its maker, designer,
audience or time? What is the statement it makes? To what audience was it
communicative?
b. To what extent is the statement made by this object or its historical significance
affected by considering it with the other objects presented in the same horizontal
row of the collection?
c. To what extent is the statement made by this object or its historical significance
affected by considering it with the other objects presented in the collection
overall?
