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— Curators' Statement —

The Cost of Glory

Human Sacrifice & Recognition in the Modern World

  • The main theme is human sacrifice for honor and recognition in a world where people are overlooked
  • Individual sacrifice with The Dead Toreador and Versatile Queen
  • Large-scale sacrifice with Palace of the Parthian Kings and Emblem of Authority
  • Modern connection with The Burden of Achievement
  • Consider:
    • How does the artwork displayed demonstrate how human sacrifice is often a means of feeling significant in an indifferent society?
    • How do the exhibits connect to literature like Antigone and Metamorphosis? What is similar and what is different, and how might these connections influence us today?
    • What sacrifices are people willing to make to have their place in the world? What drives people to make these sacrifices?

— The Curators

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Dear Class of 2029,

Visiting the museums was an extremely fun and unique experience that gave us exposure to other cultures throughout history. More specifically, during our field trip, we gained a greater insight into the trends and interests of society during various periods throughout history. One example of this was with the Emblem of Authority, where we saw luxurious decorations and details designed on the sword that were crafted with gold. This represents one of the key themes (trends/interests) that we've noticed which was the importance of wealth and status throughout history. Similarly, The Dead Toreador (the most impactful artwork for us), which depicted a man who died fighting a bull, expresses its own theme. It demonstrates that society has consistently glorified courage and sacrifice, even when it comes at a great cost. Together, these works illustrate how art can both capture and somewhat preserve societal values across various generations.

Throughout the year, as we've been analyzing a variety of texts we've been introduced to various themes, mainly in regards to societal structures and their influence on human identity. This museum visit reinforced our understanding of the themes of Antigone and Metamorphosis by presenting visual representations of the abstract struggles of oppression and alienation. For example, in connection to the Palace of the Parthian Kings, historically the Parthian Kings were known for their violent conquests and cruel leadership. In this image, the palace is a direct representation of that tyranny and power. This deepens our understanding of Antigone because it connects to a real world scenario, reinforcing the theme found in the text.

During the process of making this project, our group was surprised to find how easily the artifacts explored connected to our modern day themes and underlying human desires to be seen, valued, and remembered. While the artworks may be different from the modern world, the underlying values still manifest.

For future students (such as yourself) working on this project, our biggest piece of advice is to establish a theme early on during the research process, and to be mindful of it during the museum field trip. Moreover, during the visit we recommend taking notes as you explore the artwork. While taking photos is important, it's more imperative for them to cohesively come together to form and support the thesis.

Sincerely,
Class of 2028

Speaker Notes ▲