Seminar 1: The Arts in New York City/HNRS 125
Spring 2018
Description:
In this seminar, Macaulay Seminar 1, introduced Macaulay students to a diversity set of arts in New York City. During this semester students will attend theatrical, operatic, musical performances, exhibitions of visual arts and other highlights of this seasons cultural riches. As students, you might come into this class not knowing the true value of art and lack the appreciation towards it, it is due that statement that the rationale for these chosen events will be plots and/or themes that relate to the lives of students as well as interesting exhibitions and shows with an understandable plot. Readings will be provided to help contextualize our extracurricular activities. Hopefully through these sequence of events, students will learn the deeper meaning behind the arts and learn that “art is literally anything that you make of it”
New York City Ballet: 21st Century Choreographers (January 1, 2018)
Address: David H. Koch Theatre: 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023
Admission Cost: $1,534 for a total of 20 seats. Extra $34 will come from personal pocket and donations from students
The 21st Century Choreographer performance includes a variety of different performances that display the change of ballet over time .” This event is important to show the students it will show them that ballet is truly a beautiful form of art that can tell a story in a different form. This performance also includes dances that tell stories about different time periods such as the Salem Witch Trials which the students learn about in history class.
Reading: NYC Ballet 21st Century Choreographers
Metropolitan Opera: Hansel and Gretel (January 6, 2018)
Address: 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023
Admission: $1,120 (not included in budget)
The famous Metropolitan Opera is the home to the most famous contemporary art. The opera is filled with different stories of different genres. Hansel and Gretel is an old-time novel that almost every kid has read in their lifetime. Well, the opera provides the students of a more visual way of viewing the story. I chose this particular production because while the opera can be confusing, the students may find it more enjoyable by watching a story that they already know of. Students will hopefully understand the beauty behind the opera and appreciate the hard work that comes behind creating such an expensive productive.
Readings: Hansel and Gretel Synopsis , Hansel and Gretel illustrated Synopsis, Performance Review
New Museum: Trigger: Gender as a Tool and a Weapon (January 21, 2018)
Address: 235 Bowery New York, NY 10002
Admission: Ages: 15-18: Free
The New Museum is home to variety of different art works portrayed by arts that aren’t given much recognition. The New Museum also hosts different cultural art works that do not specify on one culture and/or topic. “Trigger: Gender as a Tool and a Weapon” seeks to explore gender through the work of artists who explore the concept of gender by looking at it beyond the tradition male and female standpoint. This exhibition will educate the students about the history of gender differences and sexuality as well as the obstacles that these individuals faced and hopefully will inspire students to embrace who they truly are and be accepting of everyone for who they are.
Links: The New Museum Exhibition Website
Anastasia (Feb 1, 2017)
Address: Broadhurst Threatre 235 West 44th Street New York
Admission: $1,380 for 20 seats
Broadway Musical Anastasia is based on the book by Terrance McNally, the musical tells the story of the legend of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, which claims that she, in facts, escaped the execution of her family. This beautiful fairy tail depicts the themes of the search for home, love and family. This performance is one to watch because I feel like it has a interesting storyline that students can enjoy and for those who have seen the movie of read the book, notice how different forms of art can generate a different impact and emotion.
Readings: Book vs. Musical Anastasia Synopsis
The People Improve Threatre and Comedy Performance: Fallon Tonight with Impressionist Adam Hamway (February, 8, 2018)
Address: The Striker 123 E 24th St NYC, 10010
Admission: $179 for 20 tickets
Everyone has heard the saying laughter is the best medicine, so why not go to the central of laughter: comedy. Fallon Tonight with Impressionist Adam Hamway is a comedy performance of Adam Hamway doing an impression of Jimmy Fallon doing the Tonight Show. This performance is not meant to be taken in an insulting manner but is instead an homage of “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon”. I chose this comedy show because art is not just serious painting and operas but can also be seen in comedy shows and improve theaters. A performance based on the famous Tonight Show is right up the alley of adults and students who attend and will give some background knowledge of the performance, thus they won’t be confused while watching.
The Guggenheim Museum Guided Tour (March 7, 2018 2pm)
Address: 1071 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128
Admission: $175 for the tour and $12 for students with ID in groups
The Guggenheim Museum is the place to go to experience a variety of different cultural arts. With its international network of museums, it provides as an excellent tool for education. In the museum, we will be going on the tour to gain first hand experience on what makes this museum worth coming. I chose this museum because in this tour students will be able to experience many different forms of art as well as lectures from different artists and critics. There is no telling what is going to be shown in this tour of the museum but always remember to approach art with an open mind.
Readings: Guggenheim Museum Website
Central Park: Conservatory Garden: (Independent Visit: March 15- March 31, 2018)
Address: 402 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029
Admission: Free
It is finally the start of the spring season and you know what that means, flowers blooming. In these last two events, students will learn that another form of art can be seen in gardening. Gardening can represent different forms of culture and incorporates many forms of history. The Garden is divided into three smaller gardens, each with distinct style: Italian, French and English with a Vanderbilt Gate.
Readings: Listen to Podcast on Central Park Website
Brooklyn Botanical Gardens (April, 1, 2018)
Address: 990 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225
Admission: Free
Brooklyn Botanical Gardens is a botanic garden that connects people to the world of plant while also creating an connection between people and the environment. Gardening is a non-traditional work of art that is not widely recognized by society. Seen as very easy task, in reality it can be a very vexing to manage Paying attention to little details and proper environmental care can produce a garden with a variety of colors and beauty. Students will learn that there is more to gardening than just the pretty flowers and will also gain knowledge about the environment
Readings: Brooklyn Botanical Garden Website
Behind the Scenes: Met Gala and Costume Institute (April 13, 2018)
Address: 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028
The first Monday in May is an event always reserved for the presumptuous event of The Met Gala, the Costume Institutes annual event. In this behind the scene tour, we look at many aspects of the Costume Institute such as the creation of the clothing behind many of the famous exhibits such as China: Through the Looking Glass as well as learn from Andrew Bolton, the chief curator at the Costume Institute, on how he conceptualizes and designs the Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala also famously known as the Met Gala. Fashion is associated with clothing, children of this generation care a lot about the clothes they wear and the name brands that they show off. This behind the scenes tour will connect to the lives of students and show them some fancy clothing worn by many of their beloved celebrities. Students will learn that clothing is indeed a form of art and there is a story behind the white t-shirt.
Readings: Watch documentary “The First Monday in May”
Interesting choices, Payal. Do you think one botanical garden might be enough?