This page compiles your reflections on art, community, museums, and more, informed by your time at Night at the Museum.
To have your own reflection appear on this page, submit a reflection of your own.
Analog fan? You can also respond to these prompts on paper and peruse the responses of others. Come find our table on the third floor.
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Compare how this experience reinforced or challenged your previous ideas about museums. Would you encourage other Macaulay students to visit museums?
To be completely honest, I have never been to a museum before unless it was for a school trip. It never really caught my attention and I never felt intrigued to learn more about the history or story behind the art pieces. After this visit, my views on museums have definitely changed. While closely observing the art pieces here at the museum I was able to see their beauty and meaning behind them. I was also able to reconnect with my obsession with Egypt and its artifacts. When I was younger, I was always reading about Egypt and their mummies, mythology, and pharaohs. So while walking through the Egypt section, I was able to go back in time and stare at these beautiful paintings and statues in awe. I was also intrigued by the American art section because of the history of the Native Americans. It’s so beautiful to see paintings and artifacts with their histories and stories. I would 100% encourage other Macaulay students to visit museums during their free time!
City College
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Choose a piece of art you saw that invoked strong feelings for you. Describe the response you had and why. (Don’t forget to include the title and artist.)
The piece of art I chose is by Andrea Chung titled “Untitled” (presumably). This piece invoked strong feelings of empathy and intrigue, largely due to the simplicity of the artwork—the focus is on the outstretched hands. This universal action conveys a sense of longing and connection, which is in line with the meaning behind the piece, being the connection of the elements with this idea of liberation among marginalized communities, particularly black people.
Anthony Calderon
Brooklyn College
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How would you relate your current major or field of study to your experience at Night at the Museum? What connections can you see?
As a political science major on a pre-law track, For the Women’s House by Faith Ringgold resonates with my interest in social justice, systemic inequality, and reform within the carceral system. The painting reflects the intersection of race, gender, and class within the justice/prison system, issues often discussed in political theory and legal studies. It also highlights advocacy efforts for incarcerated women.
The painting serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative role that law and policy can play in addressing systemic issues.Janel
College of Staten Island
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Where and how do you see yourself, your communities, and/or New Yorkers in this museum?
In this oil painting I saw New Yorkers. To withstand the issues faced within this city you must be flexible, tough, and vocal. If you allow your voice to be silenced it will be drowned out by the rush of the city that surrounds you. This painting shows an African American fearlessly sharing his voice, his opinions, breaking through the noise around him.
Alexandra Scully
Hunter College
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Choose a piece of art you saw that invoked strong feelings for you. Describe the response you had and why. (Don’t forget to include the title and artist.)
Louie Remy Mignot’s Niagara depicts niagara falls and the power that the waterfall has. I loved how this painting can act as a reminder of how powerful nature can be.
Ethan Wen
Baruch College
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Compare how this experience reinforced or challenged your previous ideas about museums. Would you encourage other Macaulay students to visit museums?
When I had originally thought of museums, my first thought was that they were boring galleries for pretentious people to parade around and pretend that they were refined and sophisticated. But now, I see that art is for anybody of any background to enjoy by themselves or with their friends. After touring through the various galleries, I was able to connect with certain pieces and appreciate the beauty that art provides.
I would absolutely encourage other Macaulay students to visit the museum because it’s an amazing opportunity to look at art and spend time with friends.
Queens College
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Choose a piece of art you saw that invoked strong feelings for you. Describe the response you had and why. (Don’t forget to include the title and artist.)
A piece of art that invoked strong feelings for me was Georgia O’Keeffe’s Ram’s Head, White Hollyhock-Hills (1935). Though there’s a flower near the ram’s horns, the painting depicts a moody scene with dark clouds and brown hills with barely any trees. From the scenery, I concluded that there is a drought and famine. According to the information, the wildflowers are blooming after being eaten by wildlife and destroyed by wildfire. The irony of the wildflowers blossoming after being destroyed and eaten illustrates the complexity of life. The ram is dead with nothing but its skull and horns, and the wildflowers are blooming even though it’s the ram that feasts on the flowers. Overall, the painting spoke to me because of how beautifully it demonstrates that there can be hope even if everything seems destroyed. Even the most beautiful stuff can come out of the harshest and darkest moments.
Michelle Zheng
Hunter College
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Choose a piece of art you saw that invoked strong feelings for you. Describe the response you had and why. (Don’t forget to include the title and artist.)
Bisa Butler’s “If They Don’t Give You a Seat at the Table, Bring a Folding Chair” really hits home for me. Just the title alone invokes strong feelings, especially since I haven’t always felt welcomed by those around me. It’s a powerful reminder to recognize my self-worth and advocate for myself. The quilt’s vibrant colors and lively figures celebrate resilience and community, illustrating the importance of carving out your own space. The folding chair symbolizes adaptability, emphasizing that you can create opportunities for yourself, even when others don’t make room.
Kayla Wang
Queens College
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How would you relate your current major or field of study to your experience at Night at the Museum? What connections can you see?
I’m currently studying marketing, and it’s really interesting to see how the museum displays and arranges different art pieces. Some sections are more organized than others, but there’s still harmony in every arrangement. Some sections are labeled extensively, while others are unlabeled or rely on an electronic device. Today made me think about how art captivates people and brings attention to itself, and wonder about the extensive thinking that goes into curating these exhibits.
Tracie Mok
Baruch College
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Where and how do you see yourself, your communities, and/or New Yorkers in this museum?
I feel my community, as an African American Man, was extremely represented in this museum. Not only did it have a contemporary representation, but a historical one which I liked.
Jayce
Baruch College
