A few instructions for the trip to the Art Institute.

1) Get there, safely, and mostly together.

2) Spend at least an hour wandering, viewing the huge variety of works, styles, and eras represented in the museum's collection. As you browse, be aware specific works or periods that intrigue you, places that you might return to view again later. Also, be aware of the cumulative effect of seeing this much art in one short span. How does that feel--overwhelming, stimulating, sobering, religious, irritating?

3) After we have lunch together, you should return to a single work and spend at least 40 minutes with this one piece of art. Sit still, right in front of it. Sketch it. Take a photo (no flash). Or view it from as many angles as you can. Write down the title, artist, method of composition, and date. Note what other works are displayed near this piece.

4) Write down your responses to this work. How does it make you feel? What does it make you think about? What do you notice on a second or third glance that you might have missed the first time?

5) In the work, is a story is being told? What images dominate? What other technical details can you identify--scale, color, texture, etc.? Make a catalogue of these details (you can use the attached grid to help).

6) After you've paid attention to the work's formal aspects, dream a bit about the artist. How did she make the work? Where was she when she painted it? What does it tell you about him, about his art, life, beliefs? What does he seem to love? Is this like other works of hers that you've seen?

7) Your ultimate goal will be to write a piece of prose or poem about this work. You might try drafting it while you're near the painting. You might also wait a bit, relying on your notes later. What part of your experience do you most remember? What have you forgotten about the work as you ride the train back to campus?

8) As you draft your poem, essay, scene, you might want to refer to a postcard of the work, or to an image in a book or on the web. You could also consider researching the history of the piece, or of the artist. I would suggest doing this only after you've completed the steps above.