Museum Paper The David & Alfred Smart Museum of Art is one that is fairly small compared to many other museums in Chicago. The museum is located on the University of Chicago campus. Although it is a part of the campus, the newer, modern look of the building stands out from the campus’ gothic feel. When walking into the museum it was definitely evident that it belonged to a college campus. It was a Sunday afternoon, and many students and Hyde Park residents were enjoying refreshments in the café. The café was exactly what one would expect from a college café. Several black, round, tables, netted metal chairs, and white walls along with the black café counter created a contrast with the colorful pieces of art lining the café/lobby. After visiting the café, there are stairs and clear glass doors which lead into the art museum. The first section of the museum is the Elisabeth and William Landes Gallery or the Modern Art & Design section. This section contains many pieces from the 1880s to the 1950s. The gallery portrayed mostly European and American sculptures, sketches, and paintings. The most well-known piece in the room is the dining room furniture designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for the Robie House. After the first section, one can choose to go in a few different directions, leading into the rest of the galleries such as the contemporary art section which houses the State of Mind: New California Art Circa 1970 which is an exhibit featuring photographs of landmarks and shapes of nature around the state of California which also spell out the name of the state. There are also many other weird pieces that show things such as John Lennon’s up close body parts on video or the recorded sounds of ice melting. The other galleries in the museum include the Asian art gallery, which houses a number of Korean pottery and ceramics, Japanese calligraphy and other interesting Asian art pieces, and the European art gallery which had a book of engravings by Goya. Overall the museum was pretty laid back about talking, photography, and touching the experimental art. The fact that the museum was free made the experience all the better.
Many of the works in the museum were extraordinary. In the European Art gallery, there are many pieces dedicated to "Apollo and Daphne". “Apollo and Daphne” is a Greek myth about infatuation and obsession. Daphne fleeing from Apollo, by an anonymous painter, (titled Master of the Apollo and Daphne Legend) was one of the paintings that stood out, the reason being that one would not expect such a popular piece to be in a small museum. In the painting Daphne is on the left and Apollo is on the right. The colors are simple Earth tones in relation to the background. As if the artist wanted to make them stand out, Apollo and Daphne’s clothing are of more vibrant colors. The painting is dynamic, as Apollo’s legs are in and his cloak is flapping behind him to give the impression of running. Both characters have very soft facial features and clothing from the time of the painting. (Renaissance). Apollo’s facial expression is one of intense He is looking up to Daphne with an expression showing a mix of hope, and desire. His arms are reaching out to her as if he wants to grab her. Both of Daphne's hands and arms have transformed into parts of the laurel tree. It seems as though her wish to transform into the laurel tree was a last resort because she transforms just before she is cut off by the river. There is a landscape far off in the distance behind them.