My Reaction to Tara Subharwal

I was quite interested by Tara Subharwal’s story of her life. I find it fascinating that she was allowed to have so many opportunities to travel to and fro from one country to another. After hearing of that fact, the first thought that came through my mind was that she is really lucky being able to express her art so freely.

Speaking of her art, I find it amusing that she has a “go with the flow” sort of style while painting. Going to art school in India may have influenced her art style in the sense that I think she had enough of copying art, but instead wanted to just make it. Although her paintings aren’t the type of art I prefer, I found it mind boggling to try to piece it together.

One of the big things I wanted to ask her was how could she even afford everything or where her income was. That type of question did seem too personal so I kept quiet. I really do regret not asking her though as it’s still on my mind.

SWM (Thoughts and Reactions)

The first thing that catches one’s attention as you walk into the auditorium is the music. I for one was expecting some “elevator-like” music, a soft tune that’s repetitive; something one can listen to while waiting on an event to happen. What was playing in place of that soft and soothing music was outrageous. The auditorium was blasting rap music that covered the topics of many vulgar things. The funny thing about this was that the audience consisted of elderly people who probably have no idea what the slang words meant!Thankfully the music was stifled when the play started.

As for the play itself, it started off really light. The latter half of the play was not. The play began with the brothers goofing off, fighting with each other, and catching up on each other’s lives. When the last 30 minutes of the play hit, The issue of privilege came through and was argued back and forth. The play ended with one of the brothers left alone.

The actors weren’t the best. From my point of view, if one was to be in character, they would talk normally as if having a normal conversation. One of the actors kept over-emphasizing words as if he was a 5th grader reading lines off a manuscript. Another actor had his crying feel really awkward and out of place. There were some more irregularities, but who am I to criticize. I am no actor and I barely watch plays.

For the part of the play that covered privilege, I have to admit that it was very hard to digest what each viewpoint on privilege each brother has. All in all, the message was clear and I honestly think the play was worth the $25 and the attention.

 

Reaction to Just Kids (1-55)

Although the start of the book was quite slow for me, I can see what Ms. Drabik meant when she said that it would be hard to put down the book. The moment Patti got herself to New York, it instantly became an adventure that you really can’t stop reading.

My curiosity sparked when Patti met Saint as I really couldn’t understand how one can befriend a stranger so quickly. Then when she just re-named Bob to Robert, I was just confused how Robert/Bob accepted the name with no hesitation.

What really got my mind racing was how Patti just tossed away the waitress outfit that her mother gave her. It was a sign of hope from her mother, but Patti tossed it away. I can understand how it can be compared to flowers that have wilted, but like flowers, it can also be preserved and be kept.

I just can’t wait to read the rest of this!

A Song From an Insomniac

I couldn’t sleep at all tonight for some reason…

Although most people would hate this, I actually like the fact that I’m awake at this hour. I can do whatever I want and get myself in my own little world. Now nothing sets the tone without a little bit of music.

At this time of night, I feel that there is only a small selection of music one should choose from. The music that is chosen has to be light as it compliments the serenity of the night, but it really shouldn’t be anything that keeps you asleep.

Anyways, here is my example of one of those songs:

Reaction to Carnegie Hall

Going to Carnegie Hall on Thursday night was a fun experience.

The place itself was amazing. It is so grand and regal. That definitely left an image that’s hard to forget. Like the place, the performance was unforgettable too.

Although I am not a fan of classical music, I really enjoyed what was played that night. It was really captivating and I was energized with every performance. I was confused at how some of us were sleeping… (Not naming any names haha.)

I think the most memorable thing from that night wasn’t the music, but the instruments themselves. As the way the violins moved as they were played, it looked almost like a synchronized dance. It was just surreal.

Architecture.

I came across this building as I was walking around in the city. Initially, the ridges in this building made me think that it was run down or broken, but after some speculation I realized that the building was just like that. I found the ridges awkward yet attractive. The building becomes unique with the ridges as compared to the regular rectangular buildings in NYC. It’s architecture like this that define New York’s buildings: simple and and alluring. 

Le Nozze di Figaro – Response

Le Nozze di Figaro is fantastic, but highly confusing with everyone betraying each other, then everyone getting together again, then people switching roles, and heck, there was even a part where a woman wants to marry a man and then she finds out that he’s her son! I do have to agree that the opera was more than enjoyable despite the confusion.

After the opera, I came to a conclusion: We, the majority that haven’t been to an opera until then, did not get the full experience or appreciate the opera to its potential.
The opera has so many aspects of art, the set itself, the acting, the singing, the music and even the timing of lights and other stage props. I doubt that many of us noticed every single aspect at every single moment during the opera.

I know I didn’t. My friends say that I have something called art-ism. My friends joke around saying that its like autism, but with art rather than emotions. I agree with my friends, I know nothing of art. During the opera I was so focused on the storyline that I forgot to appreciate how concise the music was, how beautiful the set is, and how well the actors sang.
Then again, how could I know how well the music was, and how well the actors sang?
This was the first experience of an opera for me and I have no idea what does good music or good singing sounds like.
To a common man, student in our case, we have a general definition for good and bad sounding music.
To a person who is trained or professionally knows music, acting and singing, the definition of good and bad has sub-levels and different categories.
Under that logic, even if an actor sung an octave lower, the common man would not notice at all, but the professional would.
Thus, I feel like all of us, those who had their first experience with opera or know nothing related to singing, acting, and art itself, just couldn’t experience and appreciate the opera to its fullest.

Man on the Wire – Reaction

I am not a fan of documentaries. I just dislike them. Man on the Wire was a unique case. I actually enjoyed the documentary about Philippe Petit and his whole crew.

I have heard of stories about people who have walked across many dangerous places via tightrope, but I have never heard of Philippe Petit and his story of walking across the Twin Towers via tightrope.

I found it quite amazing that he would have the concentration and the balance to actually achieve all that. I can barely keep my balance on a 2×4! I respect Philippe for doing whatever he wanted to achieve his dream of walking the tightrope 110 stories high. This does raise many questions though.

One of the biggest issues I have with Philippe’s story is the issue with money. I don’t understand how Philippe could even go back and forth from America and Paris ever so often. Where does he get his money to do so? I thought he was only a street performer. Either he hustled a lot of money while doing so, or he acquired his funds elsewhere.

The biggest question that I would have loved to ask Philippe and his crew is this: What did you guys do after the event? I have absolutely no idea how one would feel when a dream is achieved. Where would you go afterwards? What would you do? Will there be anything else in life that will ever feel better than when the dream was achieved?

I am so curious as to what the crew did after the heist was over. Is the ending like the usual ending to a dream? Was it a sad awakening to reality?

Macaulay Media Arts Workshop

So today was the Monet Workshop at the Macaulay Center and I was told to take a part in it.

What we did, in a nutshell, was to get back together with our groups when we were at the Brooklyn Museum and make a video with the audio file and pictures that we acquired.

What my group did was to split the work. Three of us would work on the slides and pictures and set them up beforehand while the other three would work on the audio file. I was working on the audio file as I did not have high quality pictures to use.

My experience today was stressful. On the day of recording, I thought that my group recorded everything flawlessly. Now when I was editing the audio, I realized that certain ideas and thoughts about the painting were unfinished. All of those issues made me edit the audio for about an hour, which was obviously not fun.

When the video was finished and played back, I recognized how one should analyze artwork more often. This is because in the video, there were many assumptions about John Singer Sargent’s An Out of Doors Study. For example, there was an assumption that the line behind the man was a fishing pole. Later in the video one person stated that the line may just be an umbrella instead.
Although today was somewhat stressful for me, all in all, it was fun.

Tony Chu – Intro

TC

Sup everyone.

My name is Tony, as you can see, but I’ve been given many nicknames. These names include, Tony the Pony. Tony the Tiger, Tony Macaroni, and Chu Chu Train. Those who’ve known me for a while call me Chu Chu Train and I think it describes me perfectly. I am described as being really loud and destructive. I think throughout the year you guys will come to realize that.

I am from Oakland Gardens in Queens, but now I am at the Towers. For those who are at the Towers, you guys probably have already seen me around as one of the “pros” at Ping Pong or one of the loudest guys in the lobby whenever I’m in the lobby.

Speaking of which, my hobbies include Table Tennis, handball, exploring (basically walking around to wherever), debating, and gaming. I was such a big gamer. I played Boarderlands 2, Dota 2, Soldier Front 2, Castle Crashers, Rogue Legacy, League of Legends, Payday 2 and much more. I’m such a fan of PC games. Consoles really aren’t my cup of coffee. Only thing I have to say about console games is that Super Smash Brother’s Melee is the bomb. Those of you who know what is, you know what I mean.Juggernaut

There is really nothing else to say that can be put on paper. I really do hope to meet you guys in person so I can literally meet you guys.

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As for now, here are some songs: