Bianca's Arts in NYC

The catchy tunes and streamlined plot of Mamma Mia attract audiences of all backgrounds for an entertaining 2 hours; however, the Broadway hit was a less-than-exciting experience for me. It may have been partly affected because I had seen the movie beforehand, but the second-rate acting seemed to have been the primary cause.

The 10 year anniversary was on October 18^th, 2011- as it opened in a post-September 11 aftermath, when Broadway audiences needed to start smiling again- induced by the light-hearted storyline and infectious energy. The cast’s charisma on stage definitely made up for the lack of star-quality acting.

The storyline incorporates many ABBA songs and shapes the story around a single mother, coping with her young daughter’s marriage on a picturesque Greek Island. From then on, the plot becomes very predictable and I found myself questioning the essence of the musical besides its upbeat and entertaining aspects.

Musical Director: David Holcenberg, Director: Phyllida Lloyd

Title of Work: Mamma Mia!

Date of Work: 2001- 2011

Materials/Medium: Musical

Duration/Running Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Location: Winter Garden Theater on Broadway and 50th Street

Attended with several Macaulay classmates

While walking along 80th street and 1st avenue, I happened to pass by this tree stump and it reminded me of God’s art- nature, and how man is so inherently intertwined in it. The tree was clearly destroyed by man and the pipe installed by man as well. Destruction of nature has emerged as a common theme among many parts of the city- so little people take the initiative to preserve God’s art and this is definitely a setback about living in the city.

I also know that the symbolism of trees in relation to dreams is also very significant. Just like fallen trees and hollow trees, these creations of God may resemble major parts of our lives that have been taken away such as a job or relationship. Lush green trees, on the other hand, symbolize new hopes, growth and stability. A withered or dead tree indicated that your hopes and desires have been dashed.

Artist, Gwyneth Leech’s coffee cup window gallery was an interesting sight as I walked around the Madison Square Park area. Rather than throwing away coffee cups, the artist reuses them and turns them in to canvases. She calls it up-cycling- taking an item that has already served its intended purpose and creating something beautiful out of it. The phenomena has become widespread and influenced many artists, encouraging innovation within the field. This concept is also depicted through Jason Hill’s works- who transforms religious sculptures in to vibrant Die De Los Muertos figurines. The concept is simple, yet elaborate in thought as an object is reinvented in a completely different form.

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Islamic Art is known for its richness, in both its colors and culture. This region underwent centuries of change and influence, and is displayed throughout the different works in the exhibit.

Sheila Canby, the Patti Cadby Birch Curator in Charge of the Department of Islamic Art, said: “Although our galleries represent a vast territory over a long period of time, the diverse artworks shown here are nonetheless unified in several distinctive ways. Primary among these is the extensive use of Arabic script, which resulted in exceptional examples of calligraphy—often in conventional media, such as metalwork or architectural elements—and virtuosic achievements in the arts of the book. A profound love of embellishment is often expressed through intricately interlaced, complex geometric forms that are most familiar to us in textiles, woodwork, and tilework. There are many examples of luxury materials, due to royal patronage. And technical expertise of the highest level is always evident, no matter what the medium. Because the objects in our galleries are primarily secular in nature, they can easily be appreciated both for their innate utility and for their astonishing beauty, whatever the viewer’s background may be.”

The most quintessential binding thread is that of the calligraphic tradition, where sacred verses of the Quran were transcribed to be written out on objects, architecture, and manuscripts. Another binding tradition is the presence of geometric forms, including interlocking stars and patterns which are expressed in a very diverse way, depending on geographic location.

There was also a special gallery dedicated to depicting the influence of the Western islamic tradition- exemplified through the works particular to Spain, Africa, and Northern Italy.

The Mihrab, one of the largest individual objects in the exhibit- an element in the Mosque which is known as a prayer area, where the direction of prayer is directed toward Mecca. It’s built up of mosaic tiles, in shades of blue and white, including Quranic inscriptions.

Mihrab, prayer room                                                The Emperor’s Carpet

Artist: several unidentifiable artists

Title of Work: New Galleries for the Art of the Arab Lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and Later South Asia

Date of Work: 13 centuries, geographic region spans from Spain to South India

Materials/Medium: Paintings, mosaics, sculptures, jewelry

Curator: Navina Haidar

Genre: Islamic Art

Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art

I viewed this exhibit alone

The NYPL online exhibition of Gay Liberation (1969) sheds light on the major turning point in the politics of sexuality in America. The introduction provides background information about the origins of gay liberation- specifically referencing the homophile movement and the stonewall riots. The exhibit also elaborates on the Mattachine Society of New York, begin by Harry Hay in Los Angeles in 1951- which focused on providing protective social networks and outlets for social activism. The exhibit also provided information about several activist groups, such as the Radicalesbians, Gay Activists Alliance (GAA), and the International Gay Information Center- which donated archives and collections to the NYPL, helping to elucidate predisposed notions that the public held about the LGBT population.

Personally, I learned a lot about the key figures involved in the movement and the groups that emerged as a result of the movement. I think it’s very important to learn about our history as a nation- including the controversial stuff. Race, ethnicity, and gender are not brought up enough in the classrooms and leads to misconceptions and misunderstandings. Exhibits that shed light on these issues help clarify those predisposed notions and make our nation more understanding as a whole.

The social oppression facing these groups has existed for decades- transvestites and transsexuals have been a particularly vulnerable group. The exhibit provided information about STAR (Street Transvestites Action Revolutionaries), and how pioneering drag queens Sylvia RIvera and Marsha P. Johnson were active on the front lines of both GLF and GAA- both of whom were veterans of the Stonewall Riots.

Title of Work: 1969: The Year of Gay LIberation

Materials/medium: Archival Information, Photos

Genre: Political Activism

Location/venue: NYPL

I was alone when I viewed this exhibit