This past Friday, most of the class had a large break between classes, or were done completely. Keeping this in mind, me and some other students took a trip to the Museum of Modern Art. It was here that we came upon some extraordinary exhibits. This is truly one of the best perks of going to school in the city. Being able to visit museums like this for free is something that can’t be mirrored by any other school.

An exhibit that really caught my eye was a hanging figure by Louise Bourgeois. This figure was bronze, lacked a head, and seemed to be of a male. There was no explanation for this odd figurine demanding attention in the middle of the room, only a name: Arch of Hysteria. I took it upon myself to figure out why this figure existed. Apparently, Bourgeois had been in psychoanalysis in the mid-1900s and there were several studies being conducted on why people’ bodies would contort in this arch. It was deemed as a byproduct of hysteria, hence the term Arch of Hysteria. Louise actually took this position herself and had a plaster mold poured on her. She then shaped the edges to form the curves herself. The figure was placed in bronze so that the viewer would be able to see themselves in the contorted image, so they could understand where this hysteria was coming from. It was hanging so that it would give the impression of fragility as the body could spin and pivot.

If I did not look up this figure then the meaning of it would have been lost to me. The history and knowledge of this pieces are all intense, which makes them so much more important. Thanks to this trip to the museum; I am able to see in depth what makes artwork so significant.