Freshman Seminar: Why Museums?

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 9, 2021) – The freshman seminar “Why Museums?” was a little different last fall than in its inaugural year. Taught by Corinna Ripps Schaming, the University Art Museum’s chief curator and director; Daniel Goodwin, director of the Studio Art Program; and Edward Schwarzschild, director of Creative Writing, the course, which debuted a year earlier, found solid footing in the virtual world.

The goal was to “examine how museums have transformed — and continue to transform — our interpretation and construction of contemporary culture.” The path changed a little when COVID-19 hit and disrupted the classroom setting. The professors decided to meet weekly on Zoom with their students and explore the true power of museums, especially during these unprecedented times.

A highlight of the seminar was when they invited artist Tanja Hollander to visit their Zoom classroom. She spoke about her artisitic methods, and invited the 13 students to participate in her “Ephemera” project. Students gathered materials or objects that provided some sort of meaning to them over the years. They then shipped their objects to Hollander, who photographed them.

“I chose items that had sentimental value to me, such as a picture of my Grandma and me when I was a baby, some pieces from my Titanic collection, and a letter written to me by someone who passed last year,” student Lizzy Crowley said.

Another student, Mimma Hoque, chose the stuffed bunny she got from her grandmother in 2009 after immigrating to the US. “I brought it to college with me because I still like sleeping with it to this day.”

Liz Lashkov sent in a polaroid photo of her cat, Ninja, who is very important to her. “I can’t send my cat, so I decided to send a picture of her instead.”

The process of identifying objects to include in the project allowed students to find a little comfort in the whirlwind of emotions brought on by life during a pandemic. After photographing the objects, Hollander shipped them back to the students – along with some homemade cookies.

“Thanks to Tanja and her artistry, we all emerged from the seminar with a deeper appreciation of the power, beauty and consolation contained within the personal museums we construct day after day,” Schwarzschild said.

“It was an amazing opportunity to take part in the project and I am very grateful I got to experience it. I will forever treasure the beautiful work Tanja did with my objects,” Crowley said.

Photos: Tanja Hollander

Story by Staff Intern Rachel Kalter