Looking at, describing and identifying objects

This course aims to teach students how to look at, describe, and identify objects. By the end of the course, learners will be able to meet an object, observe, interpret, and communicate effectively about it. They will also understand the life cycle of objects from production to consumption and afterlife. The course teaches skills such as object identification, writing object biographies, and understanding the meaning behind objects like the netsuke. The teaching method involves a combination of theoretical content, practical exercises, and engaging with experts in the field. This course is intended for individuals interested in developing their skills in object analysis, interpretation, and communication.

• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 Meeting an object
• 2 Observation, interpretation and communication
• 3 Life cycle: production and consumption
• Production
• Consumption
• 4 Identification
• Ask an expert
• 5 Life cycle: consumption
• Consumption: the end
• 6 Life cycle: afterlife
• Transition from ‘consumption’ to ‘afterlife’
• Afterlife: ‘museumisation’
• 7 Writing an object biography
• Towards an object biography
• Building an object biography
• Does the netsuke have a meaning?
• Conclusion
• Glossary
• References
• Further reading
• Acknowledgements