I really enjoyed today’s Seminar experience.  We looked at both The Mona Lisa and the painting Night Hawks by Edward Hopper.  What I enjoyed most about the class was that we were all given the opportunity to look at the paintings and interpret them in our own way and present that feedback to each other and Professor Kahan.  There was no “right” or “wrong” answer, instead, we were able to look at the paintings and decide what they meant to us and what we did or didn’t see when we analyzed the depiction, technique, style, etc.  I’ve always disliked when someone asks you what you think a specific painting, poem, or story means and then tells you that your answer is wrong after you give it.  I think art should be able to be interpreted based on a person’s own experiences, thoughts, and background.

I saw The Mona Lisa in an entirely different way today.  I had never taken the time to look at the background behind her and the complex scenery that surrounded her.  I think that it’s interesting that there is simplicity yet complexity in both the scenery and the object of the painting, the Mona Lisa herself.  It can be said about both that there appears to be a simple face and outward expression, but when you look more closely, there is a hidden complexity that is not observable at first glance.  In relation to the scenery, it is the fact that there is barren desert land and streams of rivers side by side.  In relation to the figure, it is that her countenance seems to express contentment and even happiness, but when you look at her eyes more closely, there appears to be contemplation, even dissatisfaction, underneath.  The class opened my eyes to the possibility that there can be much activity occurring in what appears to be a simple painting.

I was also interested to learn the objectives of the class, the purpose of the Seminar.  1. Our initial reactions to certain pieces of art. 2. Analyzing that art and all of its possible meanings. 3. Becoming familiar with the art and having gained more experience in understanding and interpreting many different art forms.  For someone like me, who really has no prior knowledge when it comes to art, this class fascinates me.  I like that there are different steps we will take that will ultimately lead to a positive end result, hopefully one where we all can appreciate art and be more familiar with certain art types than we are now, just beginning the class.  I look forward to the coming discussions and analyses in our Seminar class.