MUSEUM RESPONSE ESSAY
The Museum at FIT’s exhibition Ravishing: The Rose in Fashion will be the focus
of your museum response: attendance is on your own. This is a three-page
paper consisting of an objective description of the exhibition and your critique
and analysis of its content and context.
Structure
The paper should be structured as follows:
Introduction. The introduction should explain what the paper is going to be about,
including the title of the exhibition and a summary of your overall assessment of it.
Body Paragraph(s). Each body paragraph should address an aspect of the exhibition that
you think contributes to its effectiveness. Each body paragraph should begin with a topic
sentence that introduces the subject of the paragraph. You can have as many body
paragraphs as necessary to address all of the aspects of the exhibition.
Conclusion. The conclusion should summarize your arguments from the earlier
paragraphs and offer last thoughts about the exhibition. This is also a good place to offer
ideas for what you would want to see more of in the future.
Analysis
In order to analyze and critique a fashion exhibition, you have to consider how effective it was in
communicating an idea. Exhibitions exist as tools for both education and entertainment, so you
can consider both of these aspects in your review. Make sure that you include specific examples
to support your conclusions.
These are some questions you can consider answering as part of your essay:
Which parts of the exhibition do you think are the most compelling? Why or why not?
The main part as I entered the interior of the exhibition, there are tens different dresses from different time period designed by different designers that inspired from rose are very impressive and compelling to the theme.
Is the exhibition clearly organized?
Yes, it has two parts. As I went down the stair, I saw hats with roses shown at the center, then entering another room, there are designers’ dresses.
Which objects are the most effective in telling a story? Which ones are the least?
(There is a dress I wrote about, those hats at the entry are the lease compare to other).
How does the design of the exhibition (lighting, wall colors, arrangement of objects, etc.)
contribute to the overall effect?
Is there wall or label text? Does it give you helpful information?
Yes, each section has a board with explanation on theme and each garment has a designer introduction underneath. It is very helpful subjected to each, give a comprehensive view for viewer to understand both the history and foundation of the design and inspiration.
What is the thesis of this exhibition? Is it clearly communicated?
“Ravishing, The rose in fashion”. Yes, it is clearly stated and communicated through garments from different time period’s designers. “The Rose in Fashion highlights innovative styles that range from brocade silk garments from the 18th century to the latest gender-neutral designs.”
Would you recommend this exhibition to a friend? Why or why not?
Yes, it is a great exhibition that contains a lot of information, it is really nice to whom set up this exhibition. It is definitely an important one for art student in history also in their fashion pathway.
Formatting
If appropriate, accompanied by a cover sheet with the following information:
1. Assignment Title
2. Your Name
3. Course Title
4. Instructor’s Name
5. Date
Paper length assumes Times New Roman or similar font (12 point) or 250 words per page,
double-spaced, with one-inch margin on all sides, and additional footnotes, illustrations, and
bibliography, with formal academic structure and language. Spelling and grammar as well as
Parsons-mandated formatting (Chicago Manual of Style, Turabian, 16 th edition) will be counted
toward your final grade.
