“Founded by the former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater principals Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, the troupe prides itself on multiplicity — claiming to champion ‘the artistic and aesthetic appeal of the multicultural’ — yet operates within a distressingly narrow aesthetic spectrum.” – Siobhan Burke, The New York Times
It was truly a pleasure to be able to watch the Complexions Contemporary Ballet at the Joyce Theater. As a dancer and gymnast, I’ve always been inspired by movement and there was certainly no shortage of moment in this performance. There were kicks, jumps, turns, leaps, twists, swivels, and movements of every kind throughout each performance and just when you begin to think that you can predict the next movement, the curtain closes and something entirely new takes center stage.
Celebrating it’s 20th year in production, Complexions Contemporary Ballet put on a stunning performance, consisting of three pieces. The two-hour program started off the first two segments slowly, a complex combination of moves, dancers flying on and off stage. The third segment brought a new life to the performance, waking up the audience with an upbeat roar. Dancers moved quickly in time with the patterned sounds, and lights flashed to highlight the glistening bodies as they entered and exited right and left.
Remember Rachel Feinstein’s “Folly” in Madison Square Park? Well, I walk through this park everyday on the way to class, and noticed a new exhibition placed in the park. It’s called “Walks of Life” and is composed of three large bronze sculptures. The artist behind these large-scale works is Tony Cragg.
Tony Cragg is a British artist (now living in Germany) who has had his art displayed since the late 1970’s. He arrived last year to scout out Madison Square Park and decide how to arrange his exhibition in the park. These sculptures are actually very big, but as Cragg puts it, “They’re quite big sculptures, but everything in New York is big.” He makes a point…
I find it intriguing that foreign artists are interested in displaying their art in New York City (let alone a park and not a gallery). The effort put into traveling halfway across the world in order to display his art in a foreign culture is ambitious. Cragg has received various awards in Europe, but was he so sure his art would be praised here just as much?
I’m sure Cragg is pleased at the sight of his bronze sculptures fitting right in – they seem to always have a large crowd surrounding them or taking pictures.
Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/scottlynchnyc/
Just like much of the art displayed in the park, the sculptures have an approachable feel. I enjoyed the three dimensional aspect, and felt as if Cragg wanted the audience to engage with his work. “Caldera” is the name of the first sculpture (shown above). The other two are called “Mixed Feelings” and “Points of View.” The pictures are shown below, respectively.
Credit: http://art-nerd.com/newyork/worth-a-stroll-tony-craggs-walks-of-life-at-madison-square-park/
The last two sculptures seem more related to one another than the first sculpture. They remind me of the rocks in zen gardens that are stacked on each other and have peaceful surroundings. The sculptures generated the same kind of peacefulness in the middle of the park for me; after walking through hectic streets, it was refreshing. I wonder if that’s what Tony Cragg intended to do.
A couple of months ago, I went to the Cloisters up in the Bronx. The Cloisters is a museum that is part of the Met, and houses medieval arts and artifacts. It was very different from a typical museum- the Cloisters is very castle like in shape and design. In fact, the walk from the train station to the Cloisters along the river is just like walking up to a castle- the museum is located on a hill, so you are walking up a long, winding road to get to the museum. Although the walk was long, the natural beauty was amazing, and I felt like I wasn’t in New York City anymore. The museum itself was very interesting as well- it featured a lot of medieval relics, and one piece of art was actually imported from Spain. This work of art was actually part of the infrastructure of the museum- it used to be part of a medieval church, but they shipped it, brick by brick, and reconstructed it, brick by brick, and incorporated it into the museum.
My favorite part was the treasure room, where many religious relics were displayed. These relics were lavishly decorated and ornamented, yet it was clearly visible that time had damaged the artifact. All in all, the Cloisters was a great experience and anyone going to the Bronx should stop by. It’s a discounted rate if you use your Macaulay Cultural Passport!
As I stood outside the David Zwirner Gallery and waited for the rest of the class to arrive, I took a good look at the building itself. It had an “industrial” sort of look to it, but it was also modern, unique, and aesthetically pleasing. I believe it perhaps suggested what was to be found on the inside. However, what I found inside was quite contrasting.
The exhibition, “PeaRoeFoam,” by Jason Rhoades was being displayed. He used a combination of “whole green peas, fish-bait style salmon eggs, and white virgin-beaded foam,” and glued them together to create various physical objects.
It’s quite possible that this “PeaRoeFoam” was Rhoade’s attempt to parody the idea of spending large amounts of money on useless material objects (luxury items and the like). His art is made of inexpensive, disposable materials and can be categorized as dada. It’s a form of “anti-art”: it’s nonsensical, irrational, and not aesthetically pleasing. The entire point is that it’s unconventional. So unconventional, in fact, that a theory to why the movement ended was because “it was in danger of becoming ‘acceptable.'”
The entire idea is too ironic for me to truly comprehend. Rhoades thought consumerism/materialism was ridiculous … so he sold people “junk” for high prices? I suppose if you can’t beat them, join them? And if any person who was interested in buying a piece of this artwork for such a hefty price is self-respecting, they would try to discover what it means. Then, they would understand the ridicule behind consumerism and extreme materialism Then … they buy it anyway? What?
I appreciate the concept, and I enjoyed being exposed to something very unique. However, I continue to have a hard time finding the fine line between portraying a message/being creative and just being ostentatious, fancy, and bombastic. Don’t get me wrong; ultimately, I haven’t decided what I believe PeaRoaFoam really is.
Bruce Munro is a modern British artist best known for his enormous three-dimensional light installations. The works of art created by Munro are heavily inspired by human experiences through the senses. For the past thirty years, Munro has been recording images and ideas that capture his reactions to stimuli such as music, literature, science, and nature. With the combination of vibrant imagination along with a knack at light construction, Munro has produced large beautiful fixtures of light that are both reminiscent of past experiences as well as intimate in surrounding. Munro arranges his work into three categories: installations, sculptures and commissions.
[Moon Harvest]
The Moon Harvest is an installation assembled by twenty cylindrical bales of hay placed all around Aviary Glade at Waddesdon Manor that serve as canvases for light. Munro set up fixed lights that illuminate the moon on the bales of hay. I personally love this installation because I have always been obsessed with the moon. I just think its one of the most beautiful things in the world. And it is amazing how Munro was able to make the moons look so realistic while creating a very soft romantic fairytale like mood.
[Restless Fakir]
Restless Fakir is a piece of work made with a timber board, halogen lights, and glass tubes. The sharp cone lights give off an intimidating appearance while the board of timber gives it an old look. I really like the contrast between the neatly arranged bright lights against the dull piece of wood. It seems as though it represents the disunity between the manmade artificial world and the natural world.
[Brass Monkeys]
Located at the Bath Royal United Hospital, Brass Monkeys is a large commission made by blown glass, stainless steal, and halide light source. The bubble like structures piled on top of one another is so unique and refreshing in style, especially because of the electric blue lights. According to psychologist, the color blue brings about feelings of calmness and serenity therefore, Brass Monkeys may also serve as a therapeutic tool.
[SOHO]
One of the greatest perks of living in the city of Manhattan is the availability of art all around the city. Graffiti, often regarded as vandalism by authority, is a style of art that significantly characterizes New York. I find that this particular form of art focuses on expression of rebellion, individuality, and having a voice. The culture of graffiti has been around since the 1970’s and grew due to competition amongst artists who aimed to spray their names citywide. Even though graffiti art is not as prevalent as it once was, you can still admire them all around the city almost as if you are walking around a gallery. I love how you can see the history and some sort of identity behind each spray: names of artists, group symbols, revolutionary statements and just cool splashes of color. The style and colors used in graffiti art are also elements that really capture me. It’s as if each word or picture is crying out for attention through neon paint, thick boarders and eccentric fonts. I had always thought that the style of graffiti was cool because unlike traditional art the places in which you find these works are not usually upscale galleries or museums. So I found it more relatable in a lot of ways. But because I had grown up in the suburbs, I was rarely exposed to the graffiti scene. Since moving out into the city, I have experienced so many beautiful works of graffiti art that looks so much cooler in person. I really like this one building that’s entirely covered in color by Williamsburg and this other graffiti board in St. Marks but my favorite piece of graffiti is at the top of a rooftop in Soho. You can over look the buildings and the combination of colors on the wall gives off a lively atmosphere. These little things about New York are what make this city so rich in culture.
[5 Pointz NYC]
Complexions Contemporary Ballet is the first performance I have ever seen at the Joyce Theatre and although it was smaller in size compared to the Lincoln Center the atmosphere of this particular theatre was extremely cozy and exciting. I think the closely-knit seating, dimmed lights, and soft background music had a lot to do with making the place seem so inviting. When the curtains first opened, I did not know what to expect or how to feel about this show despite the research we did for class because this style of art just seemed so strange and confusing. Unlike most shows that I have been where there was some type of story line that flowed throughout the performance, Complexions was arranged in fragments of choreographs that did not correspond with one another.
The first dance of the show had me feeling a bit uncomfortable and uncertain about the rest of the performance but it did make me realize the distinctiveness of contemporary dance as an art. This form of dance is expressed through movements borrowed from classical, modern, and jazz styles. Despite the movements it is comprised of, contemporary dance itself is completely different. The focus and also the most impressive component of the dance is the strength these performers possess. As the show went on, the performance progressively became more upbeat and exciting. It was amazing to see how much skill and strength these contemporary dancers have in controlling their muscle movements so precisely. The last dance of the show was absolutely exhilarating, a bang worth the build. And even though some of their body language along with their skin-tight attire did make me feel somewhat uncomfortable in the beginning, I let go my understanding of what should be into what it actually was; contemporary dance is an art the same way ballet or any other dance is an art. It embodies multiple styles in order to accentuate the strength of the human body and its essence.
One of the most stigmatized, popular games in existence is “Magic the Gathering.” Yes, it’s a fantasy role-playing game that includes wizards, spells, creatures, and monsters that is created for … adults. But bear with me! It’s far more interesting and relevant than one would believe…
In order to explain the artistic aspect of this card game, I will cover some of the history and basic rules. It’s a trading card game that was published in 1993 and is played by two players. Each game represents a battle between wizards (the two players) who use creatures, spells, and more, all depicted on their cards, in order to kill the other opponent (think pokemon). There are organized tournaments, a world championship, and local games. It’s a complicated and strategic game that requires a sharp mind but is equally as fun and exciting. You need to be able to devise strategies, think ahead, read the other player, and think quickly!
Now, there is a certain aspect to the game that is almost as popular as the game itself: Magic the Gathering artwork.
Magic the Gathering (MtG) is also known for its incredible artwork that is displayed on everything from its cards to its accessories. There is even a book that was published to document the art. There are websites and forums dedicated to posting the art and discussing it. There are over 10,000 cards, each with a unique scene, creature, or object. A secondary market exists for these cards, and are constantly being traded and sold. The art truly brings the game to life. The artistic community for MtG is very exclusive, and only the most intricate and beautiful artwork is accepted. Here are some examples of the artwork:
MtG players are constantly engaged with the whole concept of the game, as evident by the emergence of “altered” cards. Altered cards are MtG cards that people haven changed or added to in order to create a different card – solely for artistic purposes. These cards cannot be used in gameplay but are a creative and interesting addition to the expanding MtG game-world. Some examples of altered cards (left is original, right is altered):
Magic the Gathering has been expanded to more than just a game. Since being introduced in 1993, it’s still in it’s growth phase; the dedicated fan-base continues to add more and more people. Business-wise, the brand is rumored to never have had a decrease in sales since it’s introduction. The whole concept is strange; it’s a very rare example of physical media thriving in a dominating digital age.
Operas, a drama set to music, originated in Italy and have been around since the 16th century. This art form has spread to many countries and changed accordingly. Georges Bizet, a French composer of the romantic era, wrote Carmen. The first production took place in Paris in 1875. It was not received very well, but we can understand this; in 1875, the French audience were considerably conservative, so Carmen was shocking. Today, we have been exposed to more “liberal” forms of media, so our reactions were quite different then theirs.
Just seeing all the energy the audience had before the show actually created high expectations for me. Also, getting to know the story line, characters, and music beforehand made me look forward to seeing it all put together.
For instance, when the aria Habanera began, I was pleasantly surprised to hear how much better it sounded live! Personally, it is something I have heard time and time again which makes it all the more special to hear it being played and sung live.
The story line was relatively easy to follow, and the actors’ emotions really showed. Regardless, the English subtitles truly helped. I’m sure translating the opera takes away from the overall performance but it’s worth it to understand the story more in depth.
One of the more interesting aspects that stood out for me was the impression of grandeur the entire experience portrayed. Everything was spacious, large, classic, and full of lighting and royal colors. It gives you a sense of humility, as if you are here to experience something profound that you will only get to see once in a lifetime. The entrance was grand, the stage was large, and the actors’ voices were powerful. This impression contributed to my enjoyment of the overall opera and I would love to see another one if I have the opportunity.
Judging by everyone’s (myself included) continued humming/singing of the music in the opera, I believe the music left the most lasting impression on us. Personally, I have heard this music many times, so it was a pleasure hearing it all again live. Actually, I remember being exposed to the opera when I was a child in an old television show: Hey Arnold! If anyone remembers this episode, the children in the show actually played the different characters in Carmen. The same music is played but the lyrics are different. Below is a short clip:
Habanera sung by the Hey Arnold! characters:
I visited the Taglialatella Galleries, which is just a short walk from The High Line, on 24th Street a while ago. Because we visited galleries before, I knew that this gallery welcomed visitors and was a place where artwork is sold.
Inside the gallery, everyone was busy with their own job; some were unwrapping paintings to put up and others were answering the endless ringing phones. However, the atmosphere was comfortable and friendly. Walking in, visitors are greeted with attention-grabbing pieces by artists of the pop movement including Andy Warhol, Mr. Brainwash, Keith Haring, Russell Young, and Banksy.
From this gallery, I discovered Mr. Brainwash, a pseudonym for Thierry Guetta, a street artist whose name I never heard of before, but discovered I love. My favorite piece by him is Chaplin and Mickey, which features a collection of icons together. First, we see Mickey Mouse and Charlie Chaplin in the center, but looking closely we can see in the background Mr. Brainwash includes Campbell Soup cans and a face of a famous woman, who I still can’t figure out who because we can’t see the whole face. I also love the different colors of splattered paint that I think made the painting even more unique.
Another painting I love by Mr. Brainwash is Broadway, which was being sold for almost $2,000 unframed! It is a mostly black and white picture that is altered by the artist. He adds a cutout of a man with a shopping cart in the middle of the street and a quote in color on the side of a truck. The quote he adds is, “Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it,” a quote that stayed with me even after leaving the gallery.
I discovered my interest in pop art through visiting this gallery and now I am able to recognize artists, like Keith Haring, whose work I now see everywhere.
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