Artist Lecture-Dr. Peter J. Schertz

I decided that I didn't just want to sit in on lectures by your "common" artists (photography, film, painting, etc.) The first lecture that I sat in on that was not by a "common artist" was an art history lecture. This one was something that the VMFA put on. The speaker was the curator for the ancient art section at the VMFA. I wasn't sure how or what the lecture was going to be about. I was happily surprised by the lecture. Dr. Schertz talked about his work with displaying the ancient art that the VMFA owns. I never realized how much curating was an art in itself. Dr. Schertz said that when he came to the VMFA he was not able to see how the ancient art section was displayed, the only way he knew somewhat of how the previous curators displayed to objects was through photographs which is not the most common way that curators see what it is they are up against. Dr. Schertz said that he needed to know what the past curators have done so he knows what worked and what needed to be improved upon. Not only was that a challenge but also that the ancient art section was going to be bigger with the expansion. Dr. Schertz said that he looked at the pieces that the VMFA owns before he started with his plan. In the end he decided to go with a theme for displaying and making the entire section move from seamlessly from one area of ancient art to the next. Not only will it move seamlessly but the most prized pieces that the VMFA owns will be displayed properly. I always knew that there was a lot of work being put into curating but never realized how much of an art is really is. I am very excited to see the new ancient art exhibit now.