Final Reflection

Final Reflection

When I applied to LaGuardia Community College I wasn't sure what career I wanted pursue. After changing my major several times I decided to pursue a Liberal Arts degree of Math and Science (AS); considering i'm naturally good at both. When I was told by an advisor that I had to take a course about American Museums I was confused as to how this relates to such. However, by analysing articles, creating blogs and attending field trips to museums; This Liberal arts: Humanism, Science and Technology course used a variety of issues related to american museums that helped my identify my purpose and plans for the future.

On a class field trip to the American Museum of Natural History, I saw first-hand how art can be used to educate viewers. For example, the theory of evolution was displayed by a huge replica of what was said to be dinosaurs fossils. Although dinosaur fossils can be used for educational purposes to support the theory of evolution, art also plays a huge part in the processing of the information.  As I learned in my previous psychology class, depending on the person different neurons are triggered when processing information. The article we read in the LIB200 class: “A MERE CHILD’S TOY”: MAKING THE (DIFFICULT) CASE FOR HANDS-ON EXHIBITS also agrees stating,

“The bare symbols of scientific language require their definitions to be strengthened by actual seeing and touching before any permanent trace can be left in the mind.”.

Although some may disagree with this statement, we can all agree that people learn differently, depending on the person. When education is the motive of such art, the variety of the form of media is important. This is why in my final project I considered everything thing I've learned throughout my college experience and decided to include several different forms of art in my project.

The final project for this course was to create our own exhibition. This class helped me identify the roles of which an exhibit must consider. Being that this is my last semester, a course such as my critical thinking and business helped me question my art exhibit with questions like “What is the best way to get my target audience to understand certain ideas/theories?” and “what medium can be used to make this experience exciting and educational”. These questions allow me to display certain pieces not only by their aesthetics but considering how the viewer might portray such information.

Although my LIB200 course was mandatory for graduation, this course helped me identify the relationship between my hobbies and my career as a Liberal Arts: Math and Science graduate. Whilst my artistic endeavors as a makeup artist fulfill my inner drive to portray the world as I see it, commissioned work can fluctuate, especially in a place such as New York City.

However, a demand for chemical engineers that are capable of making new makeup formulations is at an all time high. My original goal was to pursue a degree that would pique my interest and also have the paygrade to support my artistic endeavors in NYC. So, eventually, I concluded: why not just combine the two and use my artistic talent and scientific knowledge to create new formulations for PETA approved makeup formulations for women of color? I would then be able to support my artistic endeavors and pursue a career path that would complement my artistic goals.

Prior to attending this class, I would have never thought attending a liberal arts course about American Museums can help me find a middle ground between my hobbies of creating art, such as painting, sculpting, makeup, and what I've learned in school, such as critical thinking, chemistry, and quantitative reasoning. American museums play a huge role in how society portrays science and art. In my case, American museums played a role in allowing me to reflect on the impact art and science has in my life and our future as a whole.