October 6th, 2020 
Write a 1-2 page (maximum) response to each set of questions. Please use complete sentences to answer the questions. You may not be able to find answers to all fifteen questionsthat is expected, just do your best given the resources available to you. And if you find one or more question(s) that do not pertain to your object, it is fine to overlook those questions. (Just dont overlook too much!)
At work in the fifteen questions below are two main entities at play: the object and the observer (that is, you). A third component is the setting in which the observation takes place (again we are operating in a virtual setting, but well want to consider the museum setting as well as the original setting(s) in which your object circulated). The initial questions guide close scrutiny of the object. Try to answer them through inspection only. Resist the temptation to quickly identify and categorize the object, and to make assumptions about its purpose or meaning. As you make inferences about the object, consider the kinds of cultural knowledge that you base them on. As the questions begin to address the object in larger contexts, answering them will most likely require other modes of inquiry alongside inspection.
Assignment 1: Questions 1-5 (due October 6)
1) What are the objects sensory properties?
a. Sight: Line and shape (two-dimensional), form (three-dimensional), color (hue, light,
dark), texture (reflective, matte)
b. Touch: Form and shape (round, angular), texture (smooth, rough), temperature (cold,
warm), density (hard, soft)
c. Sound: Imagine what sounds the object makes when manipulated
d. Smell (if you could…)
e. Taste (if you could…)
2) What are the objects physical properties?
a. Materials (wood, stone, plastic; note that identifying materials may not be possible through inspection alone)
b. Size (length, width, depth, volume)
c. Weight
d. Number of parts and how they are organized (symmetrical, asymmetrical, distinct,
merged)
e. Inscriptions (printed, stamped, engraved)
3) Does the object appear to be human made?
a. If it is human made, does it show evidence of natural processes? (oxidation, decay)
b. If not human made, does it show evidence of human intervention? (modification, wear
patterns)
4) How is the object oriented?
a. Unidirectional?
b. Does it have a presumed front, back, bottom, or top?
c. Does it have open and closed parts? If, for example, it appears to have a handle or a lid, how do you know?
d. How does the object interact with human bodies?
5) What is your emotional response to the object? What might it evoke for others?
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