International Museum of Art and Science - Mariapaula Vargas, Week 4
Week 3: July 19 - July 26
Mariapaula Vargas
7/27 Day 17
Holisss!!! Today was an awesome day! My boss came in a bit late since she had to complete registration for her kid, so I was alone for quite a while. I decided to use this time to finalize some of the edits on my press release. As I previously mentioned, my boss had gave me some very good feedback which I loveeee receiving because everyone can always improve. I love perfecting my writing! I also took this time to read my peers' blogs, and omg you can see how much more comfortable everyone is getting because they're completing task that are a lot more significant/impactful! I just really enjoy seeing the work that everyone else is doing! After that, I walked around the museum a bit right when it was opening because it is very calming. I came across the television outside one of the galleries and realized I hadn't really seen the virtual exhibit. It's called "Processing" by Christopher Miñán Fitzgerald and it portrays the suffering of ICU patients through abstract water color. It is honestly extremely moving. I had remembered that the Marketing department had included a survey after completing the viewing online, so I decided to do it; surely, the IMAS will do more virtual exhibits like that one. Once again, I checked in on the curatorial staff and their progress with that installation. I stuck around for a while and helped them by holding stuff once again. I left them to their work by going to a personal animal talk about Ryujin, the bearded dragon (IMAS' mascot😍). Did you know that bearded dragons have a "third eye" on the top of their head that detects shadows? It was really fun and cool to learn all about Ryujin! From there, I made my way over to the Summer camp; this week's kids are learning about water (water cycle, oceans, etc.). The campers are very little, so I helped Olivia seal the jars of dyed water they made shut that way they don't surprise their parents by spilling the sunlight zone of the ocean all over the car😀. It was really fun to hang out with the kids because in the playground section, there was a child dressed like George Washington! It was really funny. I ended the day by hanging out by the gallery again and asking people what they'd like me to bring them on my last day!
-Pau💕
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| Virtual Exhibit "Processing" |
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| Ocean Layer Jars |
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Each layer has to be photographed
7/28 Day 18 Hellooo! It is really hitting that this is my last week here😢. When I walked into the lounge to put my lunch box in the fridge, there was some deliciousss donuts sitting on the table! I soon found out it was Olivia who brought them, so I looked for her to thank her! My boss came in a bit late because she also got donuts! It was a very good donut-filled morning. I worked on yesterday's blog and finalized my press release! I then went backkk with the curatorial team and got to help them unbox the very last piece!!! I helped since it was a very large hanging piece that is made up of tags that imitate the ones given to the individuals placed in different internment camps; there are three pieces and each represent a different location. I unfortunately did not take any pictures of the pieces, but I will do so when they are placed in their spots! After that, I visited the camps for a little bit since I was going to a meeting regarding the museum's newsletter. It was soooo cool to see the process behind actually creating the musette because I guess I always figured they were just made, not taking into consideration how extensive the planning and gathering of information can be. I actually got to help by helping organize the information on its correlating pages by using an online tool called Figma. I was typing in the information that was going to be included on numbered pages in order to map out the order and flow of the newsletter. That meeting has definitely been one of the most informative for me as it was an example of the work the Marketing & Development department do! When that meeting was over, I headed over to the curatorial team's office because they're like my besties now, and I loveeee asking them questions! Celina headed out a bit early, but Marcelo had stayed; I remembered that earlier, he had mentioned that he was going to take me up to the roof after I said I had never gone up there. SOOOOO, he took me up; we had to climb up a ladder inside the graphics room, and it was superrrr cool! It was nice and windy up there! Today was defff an amazing day! -Pau💕  Me "helping" Marcelo  Using Figma to number information  Rooftopppp7/31 Day 19 Hi!!! Today is my last Monday going in to the IMAS😔. Because it's my last 3 days here, I decided that I wanted to take more than just the things I've learned and memories I've made. I decorated a shoe box that acts as a mail box where the staff members can leave either words of advice, notes, or tips for me that can help me in the future. I thought it was a cute idea since the staff here at the IMAS have played such a huge role in making these experience memorable. I placed the box in the kitchen and sent a message on Microsoft Teams that way everyone is aware of it. I'm really excited to see the messages they'll leave for me! I asked my boss about any assignments that need finalizing on my part, and she showed me her busy week that I can shadow. My "homework" is to finish editing the article and press release as well as choosing photographs to include in both. After that discussion, I visited the campers to take pictures. This week's camp theme is curators, so the campers are learning about the restoration and conservation of art as well as the designing of exhibits. It reminded me a lot of the curators that visited us in D.C.. The curatorial aspect of museums has deffff been one of my favorite things I've learned so far! I spent most of my day with the campers as I helped the teachers with explaining the assignments to the campers and cleaning up the areas the kids play with (literally the biggest mess I've ever seen in Seed to Table😦). Throughout the day, there was 3 different check presentations, but I did not take the photos because Andrew was here. However, the photographing of tomorrow's checks will be my job. Today was a productive and long day! -Pau💕   Speech to text lecturing for one of the campers!  History of Museums Timeline!8/1 Day 20 Hellooo!!! I started off the day by editing my press release since it was reviewed by Andrew, and he gave me feedback. As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, I am going to help with the photo op today. The first check presentation was from H-E-B (the BEST grocery store everrr💪), and they brought their mascot Buddy! I was so happy to see him because he was honestly a huge part of my childhood fro literally nooo reason. Fun fact: there used to be machines in the H-E-B stores that were activated with Buddy Bucks instead of regular money, and they gave out prizes. Anywaysss, I took a picture with Buddy and went on with my day. By going on with my day I mean looking at alllll the pictures Dayana sent from our Washington week. It was really nice to see the unforgettable moments captured in an image. After that, I went to visit the campers to take pictures of them because Buddy was going to surprise them! This time, I took photos with the camera! I've gained a lot of confidence with the camera and am lowkey a pro now. I spent that visit with the campers taking pictures of them and helping them with their assignment. I then visited the curatorial team and watched them make the hooks for the hanging pieces of art. I then went back with the campers because they were going to be making their own labels in the graphics room. Celina and Marcelo explained the tools they use and how they make the labels here in the museum, and the campers were super excited to see their own being made! They unfortunately did not have the time to finish, but they will be done by Friday (and me by tomorrow😔). I came back to the office after that to choose which photos I want to be published in the newsletter; obviiii I chose one that included my lovely peers! To end my day off on an amazing note, I headed over to the gallery where the collection is being installed. They put up one of the tag projects!!!! It took a lot of measuring and visualizing, but they were able to hoist it up to its correct place. I'm really glad I got to see that before I ended this internship. Tomorrow is my very last day, and it's truly a bittersweet moment. -Pau💕   Label-making lesson!  Before  After! 8/2 Day 21 Hola!!! Today is my very last day as an IMAS intern😓. I will continue to say it, this has been one of the most memorable summers of my entire life! I started off today by bringing paletas for the staff members, but I didn't tell them until later because no one should be eating those cold treats at 9 am. I sat down and worked on my blog from yesterday because I hadn't finished uploading the pictures. I took a walk around the museum since everyone was in a meeting that started before I arrived. I ended up speaking with Jorge and Maria, and it was a really fun conversation! We talked about what I should and shouldn't do in college and about the history of Japanese-Americans during World War 2 since Maria hadn't seen the new art collection. It was really fun, and it made me realize I am going to miss the staff here the most. I visited the campers since I wanted to help supervise them after they got their recess taken away. I acted in a puppet show with the kids and made sure they were behaving. After that, there was a check presentation. A lady named Susie was really interested in YAP and my future goals, so I spoke with her for a while! I visited the campers again and played pictionary with them! I left the classroom to attend my last ever Marketing & Development meeting😔. When we were walking back to the office, my boss was being a little suspicious as she was asking everyone to go to the kitchen to grab a paleta. I walked that way to fill up my water bottle and wanted to join the kitchen everyone was in. They surprised me!!! They're the best everrrr! They got me a delicious cake and a bunch of goodies! Needless to say, I left the building alongside my boss carrying some of my stuff! As I said before, it truly was a bittersweet moment to leave the IMAS. -Pau💕  My surprise!  Best Staff Ever!!! Cutting my cake! Overview: This has truly been an unforgettable experience, and the people that accompanied me along the way, from my YAP peers to the IMAS staff, have played a huge role in it. I have learned sooo much and have made so many new connections. Never in a million years would I have seen myself in the position I am in now. I am so grateful for every single step of this journey, and I promise that I will see you all again. Whoever is reading this, thank you for being a part of this amazing experience, and I swearrrrr I'll pay you back for it! I am so excited for the person I am going to become now because of this program! Con Muchisimoooo Amor, Mariapaula Vargas |
Ryujin is an icon
ReplyDeleteYour cake was so pretty and your week looked like so much fun
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