COP3 PROPOSAL STUDY TASK Amy Choi
Chosen question I have a topic that I’m interested in I’m just unsure what question it would relate to specifically so I’ve selected the two that I think it could be linked to. Question 5: To what extent does Aesthetic ‘Style’ reflect the context, audience and/or function of contemporary Illustration? Question 6: To what extent has Illustration constructed our understanding or view of historical events and perceptions of truth? • • • • • • • •
The themes I intend to explore are collections. I’m quite curious about the culture of collecting and the nature of this and I want to explore why people do it. I plan to explore other subjects in relation to this such as natural history. miniatures etc Cabinets of curiosity is such a fascinating subject with a broad scope to investigate. Most recently I have discovered this subject for 505 which I lightly tapped into but since researching I have discovered it holds so much rich history and want to explore into this. For the developmental side I would be able to visit the Discovery museum and other various museums that hold collections such as the Natural history museum and the V&A. This should help me understand collections first hand and able me to gather a greater understanding for the hobby. I think choosing to research this topic for this module will inform my practice more in the future. I have some interests but think this has a lot more depth than most subjects I focus on.
5 R E L A T E D/ RELVANT SUBJECTS
Cabinets of curiosity
Natural history
Museums
Renaissance period
Antiquities
5 RELEVANT QUOTES •
‘The Kunstkammer was regarded as a microcosm or theater of the world, and a memory theater.’ Labs.bl.uk. (2016). British Library Labs - Wunderkammer. [online] Available at: http://labs.bl.uk/Wunderkammer [Accessed 24 Apr. 2016].
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‘The Kunstkammer conveyed symbolically the patron's control. In other words the system of classification was not based on a scientific approach but rather reflective of whom had chosen the objects and how they chose to display them and the juxtaposition of seemingly disparate objects.’ Labs.bl.uk. (2016). British Library Labs Wunderkammer. [online] Available at: http://labs.bl.uk/Wunderkammer [Accessed 24 Apr. 2016].
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’Most important. they [mirror worlds or virtual worlds] are microcosms -- intricate worlds come alive in small packages.’ Gelernter, David, Mirror Worlds
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“Curiosity is a willing, a proud, and eager confession of ignorance.” ~ S.Leonard Rubinstein
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‘A cabinet that contains a world in miniature.’ Theappendix.net. (2016). Cabinets of Curiosity: the Web as Wunderkammer—The Appendix. [online] Available at: http://theappendix.net/posts/2012/11/cabinets-of-curiosity:the-web-as-wunderkammer [Accessed 24 Apr. 2016].
5 BOOKS •
Mauriès, P. (2002). Cabinets of curiosities. New York: Thames & Hudson.
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Seba, A. (2001). Cabinet of natural curiosities. Köln: Taschen.
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Elsner, J. and Cardinal, R. (1994). The cultures of collecting. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.
5 BOOKS
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Lear, L. (2007). Beatrix Potter. New York: St. Martin's Press.
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Muensterberger, W. (1993). Collecting: An Unruly Passion. Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press.
5 WEBSITES •
http://mentalfloss.com/article/55324/11-wonderful-wunderkammer-orcuriosity-cabinets
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http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/mark-dion-tate-thamesdig/wunderkammen
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http://www.londonconsortium.com/courses/cultures-of-collecting/
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http://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover.html
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http://www.peterrabbit.com/about-beatrix-potter/
5 IMAGES
Ole Worm, Museum Wormianum (Leiden, 1655)
The Museum of Ferrante Imperato (From his Dell’historia naturale, Naples, 1599)
The Sense of Sight 1618 Oil on panel, 65 x 109 cm Museo del Prado, Madrid
5 IMAGES
5 IMAGES
Marchese Ferdinando Cospi (1606-1686)
Cabinet of Curiosities c. 1689 Oil on shaped canvas, 99 x 137 cm Museo dell'Opificio delle Pietre Dure, Florence