French Field Trip
April 21st, 2006Yesterday at the Pulitzer was the culmination of the French project I wrote about a few months ago (read the post here). Four students from Lindenwood University visited throughout the semester with their professor, researched the artworks on view, and practiced giving tours of the exhibition. The difference between this program and our student docent programs (like the ones we’ve been working on with SLU and Wash U), is that these students give tours completely in French. The semester’s worth of training was in preparation for yesterday, when high school students from Wentzville (located about 40 minutes from the Pulitzer) visited. The high school students split into two groups that were each led by two of the college students. The docents then conducted tours of the exhibition completely in French, which culminated in a discussion (still in French) on the stairs in the Main Gallery. Here are some pictures from the tours:
Students discussing the Rachel Whiteread sculpture
Students talking in front of Ellsworth Kelly’s Blue Black
Talking about Felix Gonzalez-Torres’ candy in the Cube Gallery (always a hit)
It was so exciting, not only to test out how much French I could still understand from my high school days, but also to listen to the interaction between the college and high school students in a language that’s not their own, talking about a subject that was new to most. Almost all of the students had never been to the Pulitzer before, and many talked about wanting to bring their parents back to show them what they saw. I’m hoping to get a few responses, from both the college and high school students, that I can post in the next few days.
i’m not much into minimalist art but it was very interesting to hear about these pieced from well prepared french students…
I thought this trip was amazing. It wasn’t like any other type of art I have ever seen. You were able to touch some of the pieces and actually interact with the art. The guides were amazing and very easy to understand.
I would like to comment that this trip succeeded with its intention of enhancing a French education. It’s not often a French student gets the opportunity to meet other people (outside their class) that speak french. It was the most challenging field trip I’ve had the opportunity to attend, that’s for sure. I also had the chance to learn about “minimalism” an artform I had never of which I had never heard.
As a French teacher, we are always looking for ways to enhance the students’ listening and speaking comprehension, particularly in real-life situations. This field trip to the Pulitzer not only gave the high school students that opportunity, but also showed them a whole new world in downtown St. Louis (a place rarely seen when living 40 minutes away in Wentzville). The college students were insightful, well prepared, passionate, and bursting with information. I loved that our high school students were able to interact with French majors to discuss the art, the program, college, and French in general. All in all, I found this a culturally enriching program that encouraged city-county ties. I was impressed by all involved and can’t wait to come again next year! Merci!!
Bonjour! Je m’appelle Danielle! J’ etait contente avec le musee! J’aimais l’art beaucoup, et J’ai compris beaucoup d’information. Merci beaucoup pour le tour! Je m’amusait bien!
Danielle
Bonjour!
J’etais une etudiant qui gagne une tournee. J’etais anxieux au debut d’une tournee. Je n’aime pas beaucoup le minimalisme et j’ai pense je ne comprende pas. Une fois la tournee commence, ell etais tres interessant! Je comprend beaucoup. Et l’art est tres interessant quand les guides expliquent.