Star Sanders

November 29, 2015

English 2111 World Literature I
Dr. Rosemary D. Cox
The Michael C. Carlos Experience
As a native of Atlanta, Georgia I have visited many of the museums and galleries that the
city has to offer. However, I never knew of a place such as the Michael C. Carlos Museum of
Emory University existed. This hidden treasure is situated directly on the campus of Emory
University, within the inner city of Atlanta. The museum is open to students everywhere and
tourists near and far. Visiting this museum was an amazing experience. The Michael C. Carlos
Museum features a variety of artifacts from Greece and Rome, Asia, and Egypt.
Upon entering the museum and admission was paid there was open access to view all of
the displays. Because the sculptures immediately demanded my attention I entered the Greek and
Roman room that was completely filled with perfectly carved and cast heads of many Greek and
Roman idols such as Muse (Terpsichore), Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus, and the head of a
Goddess, perhaps Demeter. There were many other sculptures as well, some were head only,
while others were headless or of full statue. They range from life-sized to over life-sized. They
are made of marble. In addition to the sculptures, the museum also displayed a Roman, flesh
eating coffin called Sarcophagus. The coffin was also made of marble with lime that caused the
corpse to dissolve over time.

Through the Roman and Greek room was a section that provided an entry for the Asian
Art. This is where the museum introduces the Asian culture and history to its visitors.
Explanations of both ancient Buddhism and Hinduism were hanging from the walls. There were
several depictions of the seated Buddha, created with several types of stone, including red
sandstone and black stone. During the tour of the museum, I was also able to listen to the audio
headset which I rented for a very small fee. In addition to the informational board located near
each piece of work, the audio produced a great amount of detail regarding the different exhibits.
The Asian art was skillfully created with such intricate details shown, like in the Cosmic Form of
Eighteen Armed Vishnu and the Vishnu Sleeping on the Ocean.
Of the many different types of art, my favorite pieces were from the Egyptian room. As
you enter this section of the museum there is a map of the different regions along the Nile River.
I was extremely surprised to learn that The Michael Carlos Museum possessed real Egyptian
tombs, mummies, and coffins with actual human remains in them. Even though the feeling of
being surrounded by so much death was creepy, I must admit that it was highly intrigued. The
Egyptian section also displayed antique vases, pottery and jewelry.
Visiting the museum was a very educational experience for me. I thoroughly enjoyed
actually seeing some of the items which had been discussed or read about in my World Literature
class throughout this semester. I was also honored to actually come face-to-face with real
Egyptian tombs and mummies. I am glad that this project was assigned to me because I may not
have ever known or visited this particular museum. Now that I have had the opportunity to visit
one of Atlantas great attractions, I will definitely visit The Michael C. Carlos Museum again.