The second week’s class discussion focused on the Format of the exhibition and sorted out the Format types of different exhibitions we had seen. At first, I was confused by this concept. I didn’t know what Format specifically meant, and I didn’t know how to accurately organize language to express my ideas. However, as the Tutor further explained, I gradually understood the connotations of Format, such as individual exhibition, group exhibition, chronological exhibition, etc. This made me realize that Format is not just the structural arrangement of the exhibition, it may also affect the audience’s understanding and the overall narrative logic of the exhibition.

2. Questioning and thinking: from passive acceptance to active understanding

During the discussion, I found that sharing my own views and actively asking questions are important ways to deepen understanding. For example, in class, I shared an exhibition that I was interested in – Women in Revolt!, but at the same time I also expressed my doubts frankly: How should the Format of this exhibition be defined? The Tutor gave a clear explanation to my question and suggested that I could think about Format from the perspective of the exhibition title. This suggestion made me suddenly realize that the format of the exhibition is not just the choice of display method, but also closely related to its theme, curatorial intention, and audience experience. In this process, I deeply realized that asking questions to promote thinking is more helpful to truly grasp the concept than simply accepting information.

3. Team interaction: asking questions promotes a more comprehensive understanding

In addition, in the team discussion, I also actively raised questions about the specific homework requirements and the form of the BLOG. I found that this active questioning not only helped me to sort out my own thoughts but also prompted team members to understand the problem more comprehensively and inspire each other in the discussion. For example, when discussing the form of the BLOG, I was initially not sure whether it was more academic writing or could be more personal. After I raised this question, the Tutor explained that the BLOG needs to have a certain degree of academicity and allow the integration of personal opinions, which gave me a clearer understanding of the writing direction. At the same time, other students also took this opportunity to share their understanding, making the entire discussion richer.

In addition, I also noticed that when I asked questions, other students would be inspired and then raise their own questions or supplementary opinions. This kind of communication not only made me feel the importance of teamwork but also made me realize that individual thinking and expression can promote the progress of the entire team. In teamwork, active communication and mutual support can benefit all members while cultivating critical thinking and collaboration skills.

Through these discussions, I realized that Format is not only the structure of the exhibition but also the core of the narrative and audience experience. In future curatorial work, I will pay more attention to the selection and innovation of Format to better convey the theme of the exhibition.