The Art Museum

I really enjoyed this field trip since, it was very interesting to see expressions of artists of the ancient world and today's high school students. The first section that I visited was the Mayan art section. There were many different small statues of warriors and women. They looked like people but the way they were depicted was in an odd and yet fascinating way. However what I found the most interesting piece of art from the Mayans was the colorfully decorated plates with "kill holes" at the center of the plates. I found out that some archaeologists believe that the plate was placed on the skull the dead and the hole may have represented the passage way to the "afterlife." Nevertheless there were also unique pots that consisted of two orbs placed side by side and connected in the middle and at the top of one of them was small pillar with a hole at the top. The next section was was an area of modern day artists whom many were from the local high schools in this area. I have to say though that I was very impressed with the art that was produced by the high school students. A lot of their art was not just paintings but rather photographs, paintings, drawings, various and unique objects made out of different materials, and computer graphic designs. After that area I visited the Florida picture area which astounded me in the many art depictions of Florida nature. My favorite would have to be the picture of the globe which contained two similar pictures only the artists tweaked them to look different in color but also make them into a much larger picture of a Tampa park. The next area I visited in the museum was the Japanese cloth and paper area. It was very interesting to see the many different robes that had many unique designs and patterns. That area even had pictures of women lined against the back wall that was drawn by a famous Japanese artists I believe. Nevertheless the top floor was amazing in that there were photographs of families and all their material possessions laid in front of their homes from all across the globe. It was very sobering to see the families wishes and income and hours of work done in the week. I must say that the most interesting part of that area was when the lead project manager of these photos stated that most of the families stated that they never really looked at themselves as poor. Nevertheless my favorite art portrait was the picture called "Guardian of Florence" which was drawn by a high school student. The following poem is what I saw in the drawing:

He stands atop

The roof so high.

His sight sees

The many Italian buildings.

Though they are numerous

And he is but one man

He silently

Guards this city.

None would dare

Cross his path

For his blade is hidden from sight.

Like the eagle that soars

Above the city,

So to does he

Dressed in white,

See this city

In a different view.

For this is his home.

Like the eagle,

He will defend

His territory unto death.

"I went to the art museum for at least 40 minuets."