Author: giannam

I really enjoyed the dance last Sunday. I wasn’t really sure what to expect because I’m not really familiar with any dances other than ballet and whatever they do on Dancing with the Stars. When the curtains opened and there was a shirtless older man standing there, I was shocked because I expected to see all young dancers. It was cool to see some older dancers who were all in such amazing shape. The dancing itself was incredible. All of the performers had such control over their bodies. In high school, a troupe of dancers who performed African-style dancing came and performed, and it was interesting to see the influences of that style in this performance. The dances seemed to have deep symbolism, but I’m not sure I got all of it. I’m really glad we got to go; I doubt I would ever had gone to a dance performance on my own.

I wasn’t very excited to go into the city late on a Tuesday night and wake up early for class the next day. I wasn’t really excited for the play itself, either, since I didn’t like it that much when I read it before hand. Luckily, the actors were able to bring it to life and made it interesting. I was able to understand what the scenes meant better, especially Alex and Howe’s scenes. When I read the play on my own they were kind of confusing to me. Joshua and Whitney’s characters were the best part. They were so funny and cute together. Paula’s character kind of annoyed me even during the reading; I feel like she was just facilitated the development of the other characters. Leonora was amazing. When the actress stood up for her lines, she was immediately engaging, and her voice is so beautiful! It was really cool to see how a reading is done without all the props and actual motions. I liked the play much better when the actors were reading it, but it was hard to concentrate since it was so late and the chairs were pretty uncomfortable.

I have never met someone like Rich Stremme. He was a very interesting, passionate person and really seems to love what he’s doing. I don’t really have much to say, though, because I couldn’t really connect with him on a personal level or through his music and love of tattoos and rebelling against norms. I liked that he made the pins for us, even though I hate when teachers come in and make us do “creative” stuff to express ourselves. It’s so inspiring how his whole life consists of what he loves to do.

The opera was definitely the best thing we’ve had to go to for seminar. I loved the whole environment and how everyone was dressed so fancy! Everyone looked so nice! I felt pretty classy. The actual opera wasn’t boring like I was afraid it would be. I think it helped that we read the story and watched Rent beforehand because it was a bit confusing even when I knew what supposed to be going on. The subtitles helped a lot, and when I slouched I was at the perfect angle to read the subtitles and watch the stage at the same time. It was disappointing how it just ended with Mimi dying, though. I would love to go back someday but get good tickets and dress really fancy!

Also, afterwards, my dad told me that the fountain was turned off because someone put yellow dye in it to make it look like urine.

I’ve never heard much about Avenue Q, so when when Lisa described it as “Sesame Street except raunchy,” I was kind of scared. Personally, I wasn’t sure it was really my type of musical, but I actually enjoyed it a lot. I was confused because I thought it be like a ventriloquist sort of thing with the puppets, so at first I was like, wow this guy must be new at this cause his mouth is obviously moving, but then I realized that their expressions were supposed to add to the show. I liked how the actors expressed what they were saying on their own faces because otherwise I think a lot of emotion would be lost. The actors’ talent was so amazing, especially the ones who had to play multiple roles at once and the leading actress who had to have a conversation with herself! I wish I was that talented. I liked how underneath all the ridiculousness, there were deep messages, but I feel like those would be lost to the average viewer. The characters were really relatable; my favorite was Kate Monster. I’m glad we went because I don’t think I would ever end up going on my own. Overall, I liked Ave Q a lot and kind of want to see it again.

I really liked Jackie’s presentation on Alicia Keys. It was interesting to learn about such a respectable artist and what inspired and influenced her. I did not know how much New York City has influenced her music. Jackie presented the information very well and was very prepared when Lisa asked for her opinion of whether Alicia Keys is an artist or entertainer. She knew information off the top of her head, so she must have researched Alicia Keys in depth. Her point about the remake of “Empire State of Mind” was interesting because it really showed how Alicia Keys empowers herself and does what she believes she can do. I think that Alicia Keys is such a brave artist for being able to be true to herself, from her music to dressing how she wants. Overall, Jackie’s presentation was very informative and engaging.

So originally I was planning on going to the Center for Italian Modern Art with my friend since she needed to go to a “cultural experience” for her Italian class, so we would both be able to fulfill our homework together, but after going up and down the building’s elevator, we were informed the gallery opened October 6th, since apparently they were in between exhibitions. Luckily, we were within walking distance of the Italian American Museum for my friend and the New Museum for me.

The New Museum is not what I would have planned to go to. Most of the pieces were very sexual or regarded gender, which isn’t the kind of art that I particularly enjoy. However, there were a few pieces that were interesting. My favorite piece was a series of portraits of a woman. It started with one of a young woman and then continued with one of an older version of her, and then one of her with a doll and two more of a mature version of her wearing laurel leaves. I thought that this series was interesting because it reflected the artist’s self image; they were called “My Model/My Self.” They were very beautiful images. The artist is actually transgender.

 

I thought that this piece was of hands holding a foot, but after discussing the museum and this image with Justin, I learned that I was wrong. I swear I saw toes when I first looked at it.

Ultimately, I would recommend the Italian American Museum over the New Museum, but if this is your kind of stuff, then I guess it’s the place to go!

The Brooklyn Museum was much cooler than I thought it would be. I liked that there was such a variety of pieces and things that most people wouldn’t expect to see in an art museum, like the assorted stuff in the back room of the fifth floor. There was an old-fashioned bike and tv! Also, there were glass plates with presidents’ faces on them. I feel like these were there more for their historical and collector value rather than for being considered art. That might explain why they were stored in glass cases with hundreds of other odd items.

Despite all that Berger said in Ways of Seeing, I still like a good landscape, and the Brooklyn museum had lots of landscapes that were so beautiful and perfect; it was like looking through portals. The details were amazing, and it is so cool to be able to actually see the brushstrokes in person. I wish I was that talented.

I like history and artifacts better than plain art, so the Egyptian section was my favorite part. I loved seeing the jewelry that they used so many years ago; it’s so weird that we use the same things today. The tribal stuff in the life and death section of the fifth floor kind of creeped me out, though, especially since there was that the eerie music and there were only a few other people on that floor by the time we got up there. My group spent most of our time on the same floor that we all started on, since there were so many interesting pieces. I wish we had more time though because we had to rush through the other floors and I think we missed some stuff.