Art History Interview 4/12

For my Art History class here at Full Sail University, I completed an interview with an industry leader related to my sports marketing and media degree program. I interviewed Michael Gibbons, the Executive Director and Curatorial at the Sports Legends Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. 

A little of background about Michael Gibbons, he is a life long sports fan that specializes in documentary sports films, the history of Baltimore sports through the Baltimore Orioles, Ravens, Colts, and the birthplace of a baseball player named Babe Ruth. 

The museum he works at is actually two museums in one, with one side being the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, and the other side the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards. Below the museums is the John F. Steadman Research Center that preserves important manuscripts, artifacts, drawings, as well as audio and videotapes related to motion picture films about sports. 

I interviewed Michael Gibbons on April 9^th 2012 via iChat and followed up with e-mail correspondence. 

Here are the following interview questions I asked Michael Gibbons. 

Kyle #1: What do you see as the role of the visual arts in our mass-mediated world and particularly in your profession?

Michael #1: I work at a sports museum. In that capacity, we use visual arts (graphics, photos, paintings, etc.), in conjunction with artifacts and narrative text to 'interpret' stories in various exhibits throughout our museums.

We also employ visual arts in printed materials and our website.

Kyle #2: With new communications and media technologies, imagery is almost instantly available. Do you believe that this is having a positive or negative influence on the industry (provide example)?

Michael #2: We embrace the use of the new technologies. When we blog or email blast to our constituents, we often employ a photo or graphic to enhance our message. For instance, if I am writing about the opening day of the baseball season, I include a photo from a previous opening day.

Kyle #3: What popular images do you see that are frequently rechanneled throughout the entertainment industry?

Michael #3: In the sports entertainment industry of which I am a part, I see iconic images of many of the players and teams that fall within our mission statement, including Babe Ruth, Johnny Unitas and the '58 NFL championship game.

Kyle #4: Are there particular images that this industry has popularized, and or created?

Michael #4: The Norman Rockwell painting of Oriole great Brooks Robinson is often employed in articles or pieces relating to him. A life-size poster photo of Cal Ripken's "Drink Your Milk" promotion from years ago has become iconic.

Kyle #5: Who is one of your favorite visual artist/s, and or what is your favorite style of visual art?

Michael #5: Even though their work has fallen upon the rock heap of popular culture, I particularly like the work of illustrators like Rockwell and NC Wyeth and Robert Riger. A lesser-known artist I enjoy has the same name as myself, Michael Gibbons, and does wonderful oil paintings unique to his Portland, Oregon surroundings. 

Kyle #6: How has your knowledge of famous artworks influenced your creative process?

Michael #6: As a young boy I had aspirations of following in the footsteps of several members of my mother's family who were wonderful artists. To that end, I concentrated on art in high school and even enrolled for a summer at the Maryland Institute of Art. But during that exercise I realized painting was not something I could do every day...and be happy doing it. Nevertheless, that strong art education has helped me in my professional life in terms of exhibit layout, color selection for galleries, and how to position paintings, photos and graphics in print and display layouts.

A big thank you to Michael Gibbons for the insight and knowledge. Thanks again for interview. 

YouTube address for my podcast interview: http://youtu.be/1FJn_rbdAas 

Sources: 

http-//michaelmay.us/08blog/0104_wyeth_revere  

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http//www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/wpcontent/uploads/joomlaimages/geethanksbrooks

http//3.bp.blogspot.com/_kl4VYh7R3Y/SJJ9HgfwWsI/AAAAAAAAAgs/ECi9Y6Q7G-s/s320/94cripkenm

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07f83ee1153cd6e3767aa9f5b0d2a5ff.200

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82a73f20636550a9c3cdd9a3340fef56.200