Edinburgh Study Trip 2011

Thursday, 03 February 2011

In general terms the visit aims to expand your horizons, increase awareness of the visual and cultural resources available in the Galleries and Museums of Edinburgh and deepens your understanding of the wider Scottish cultural context.

You spend the day in the centre of Edinburgh where you can visit the National Galleries at the Mound and the new Playfair Extension, the Portrait Gallery in Queen Street, the Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street and the Talbot Rice Gallery.

During the first week of Semester 2, you are introduced to the choice of topics for the History and Theory of Art Essay assignment for which the study visit constitutes stage one of your researches. In preparation for the trip, you are given lectures on the visual analysis of both art and design objects and detailed advice on good research practice.

You are also informed about the major exhibitions on show in Edinburgh and the new buildings that you may wish to visit. On the basis of this information, you can create your own itinerary to allow you to research your chosen Essay topic and to pursue your individual art or design interests.

The trip is an opportunity for you to see works of art discussed in the Lecture Programme and to reflect on the unique experience of works of art in the context of the Gallery. The initial research carried out for the Essay allows you to put into practice the skills of engagement, analysis, interpretation and evaluation of works of art and design.

While the study trip has a clear focus relating to the Essay assignment, it is also valuable as a time to apply and test the knowledge gained from both lectures and studio practice.