INTRODUCTION

    METHODOLOGY

    OBJECT_ANALYSIS

     Blue Cup
     Yellow Cup
     Commercial Cup
     Transportable Mug
     Data Compared

     COFFEE RITUAL

     COFFEEHOUSES

     ART OF DRINKING

     CONCLUSION

    BIBLIOGRAPHY

     HOMEPAGE


The blue mug, side view.
Photo Credit: Sarah Amato

The yellow cup, side view.
Photo Credit: Sarah Amato

The commercial cup.
Photo Credit: Sarah Amato

View of transportable cup.
Source: Starbucks Website: http://www.starbucks.com/shop/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=Starbucks&category%5Fname=serveware&product%5Fid=Red+Translucent+Tumbler
Object Analysis

This is an outline of the methodology I used to analyse the four coffee cups on the left. The observations derived from application of this method form the basis for what follows.

Level One

A. Scrutinize each object according to the conditions below.
B. Reconsider the conditions comparing data of related objects

1. Description:

  • Analysis of composition and overall appearance by observation
2. Construction:
  • Consideration of dimensions, proportions, style, decoration, condition, fabrication, quality of craftsmanship
3. Speculation:
  • Creative imagining and free association based on direct sensory engagement with the object
  • Investigate ideas to formulate theories and hypothesis of why object created, how used
  • Consider issues of design--is the object "archaic", "suppressive", "utopian"
4. Provenance:
  • Determine chronology--when object used, by whom it was created, owned, used
5. Significance:
  • Consider interrelationship of object with contemporary culture as a locus of meaning and a representative of cultural values
Level Two
Formulate a program of research:
  1. Select objects necessary to be carried over for scrutiny in Level Two
  2. Of those objects carried over, not all properties will be relevant, but only those that speak to the larger questions being investigated
.
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