RUINED definitely was the piece that affected me most this semester. I think the reason why it was so powerful was because it was so real. Unlike The Metal Children or Little Foxes (which I enjoyed very much), Ruined was based on real people. It wasn’t just another fictional piece. It was real and instead of being set in the past, it was about an issue facing women living in this decade. Another reason why ruined was so powerful for me was because there are a few women I know and am very close to who are also victims of sexual crimes. The shame that women who are sexually attacked face from their families and from themselves is overwhelmingly powerful. It is amazing how one terrible event can alter someone’s life, reputation, and self-image forever.
While Ruined affected me the most, it wasn’t my favorite piece we studied this semester. The illustrious title of the “favorite” would have to go to Contes de Hoffman. The music was fantastic, and while I had no clue what was happening as far as the plot went, I loved it! I think I enjoyed it so much because of the magic of the experience. The elaborate costumes, bright lights, and lush velvet curtains all made Contes de Hoffman a “real” show. Instead of looking for a profound message, I could sit back relax and enjoy the show. I could simply be entertained.
The runner up for the “favorite” had to be Fahrenheit 9/11. In spite of its heavy political agenda, I loved it almost as much as I loved Contes de Hoffman. I’ve never been the type of person who followed politics. I don’t read the paper or watch the news on a regular basis, mostly because politics has the same effect on my brain, as would aggressively prodding it with a red-hot poker. Michael Moore somehow, probably through his use of humor, managed to make politics interesting in his documentary. The fact that it held my interest is a testament to its outstanding quality as both a form of entertainment and as an educational piece. I’m a pretty tough critic, which is why I intend to slaughter my choice for least effective piece of “art” viewed this semester: How Can You Stay In The House All Day And Not Go Outside?
The Ralph Lemon Dance performance was PAINFUL to sit through. While I had no clue what was happening in Contes De Hoffman, at least the music and talent of the opera singers could be appreciated. The Ralph Lemon Performance however had no redeeming qualities. This performance had no elaborate costumes, no music, and no talent or skill required to perform aside from maybe stamina. I suppose not many people could wiggle around aimlessly on the floor for more than 15 minutes without being bruised and out of breath. Ralph Lemon’s “social experiment” of sorts did not make me feel anything except conned. Luckily I hadn’t spent any money on seeing the performance, but still I feel that the Ralph Lemon performance had stolen something much more precious than my money: It had stolen approximately two hours of my time.
