Museum Analysis 1: Boise Art Museum

I first visited the BAM when assigned the museum analysis project where I looked at the exhibit Elegance of Form: Selections of American Art from the Permanent Collection. This particular exhibit showcases ceramics from many different artists and countries that were donated by John Takehara in 1994. Since that time, others have donated works that are also housed in the exhibit. The works appear to be intended for aesthetic appreciation above any other purpose.



The collection inhabits half of a small room with two glass cases embedded in the walls that join together at the corner to form an L-shape. Three free-standing display cases of varying sizes stand in the middle of the room to break up the open space. In the wall cases, ceramics are housed on glass shelves that are placed symmetrically: three columns of shelves with two shelves in the outer columns and one shelf in the center column. The light source comes from above where nine bulbs are diffused  through a beige screen to create a bright yet still soft illumination of the works. The works themselves vary in size and shape. Most are vessels of some type: bowls, teapots, plates, or pitchers. Some of the glazes are glossy, others matte. Some even have a metallic sheen to them. At the base of the exhibit, small white placards describe each of the works displayed.


Harrison McIntosh, Bowl, stoneware, 1990 (from BAM)

The meaning of the exhibit seems to be a balance of appreciation for beauty and an appreciation of the man who started the trend of donations. Do to the location of the information on John Takehara (located subtly on the wall, right next to the entrance to the room where it could be overlooked), I would suspect that the curator’s focus was more on the works themselves and the aesthetic value they hold for the audience (normal Boise citizens) than about celebrating the donor. That said, I did just notice another picture/quote plaque on the wall that is spotlighted. This would show past and future donors that their contributions are appreciated and recognized. It would show them that by donating to the BAM, they would always be remembered.
Overall, it’s a beautiful, simple display of ceramics that allows the viewer to focus solely on the works themselves without being distracted by the display methods.