The most effective performance for me was “The Tales of Hoffman.” I didn’t understand the cultural or social implications of the story, but I thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Art’s main purpose to entertain, and “The Tales of Hoffman” could not have accomplished this purpose any better. I loved the music the singers and musicians were amazing. The set design was spectacular, and the story was great. I was laughing one moment, and sad the next. This up and down emotional ride is a big part of what makes going to a performance a great experience. Real life has difficulty providing ups and downs of emotion. Art is all about it.
It also affected me in that my enjoyment of it will lead me to go to the Opera in the future. In class, we learned that the opera is struggling to gain a new audience. The Opera is attended by an older generation. Eventually, this generation will no longer be able to attend the Opera. As a result, the Opera must try to appeal to the younger people. “The Tales of Hoffman” accomplished this goal. It had cross-generational appeal which will likely help to bring in new audiences. This Opera was unlike anything I had ever seen, and that factor will bring me back. It was also very different than I expected. I had preconceived notions, likely due to the typical audience that Opera was boring and antiquated. The is the opposite of the truth. Opera is fun and exciting, and enjoyable to even the most modern audiences.
In contrast, “Hipsters, Hustlers, and Handball Players” couldn’t have had less effect. There was nothing bad about it, it just did not evoke any response from me. To me, it just looked like a bunch of pictures of people doing normal things. This may have been the point, I’m not sure, but I just couldn’t find any entertainment, political, or social value to the exhibit.
My lack of appreciation for this particular exhibit may be the love of excitement which so attracted me to the Opera. I like art that is big, loud, and powerful. “Hipsters, Hustlers, and Handball Players” had none of these aspects. I don’t even really know what to say about the exhibit because it did nothing for me. I guess there is something to be said for the fact that the art was about ordinary people, but that’s not what I’m looking for in art. I see ordinary people all the time. If I want to see Hipsters I can just go to Brooklyn or Montclair (a place I spend a lot time). If I want to see handball players, I can go to a number of schoolyards within walking distance of my home. To see hustlers, I need to just visit a pool hall. The rest of the photography was just of people doing regular things, and this I can see anywhere. I want art to make me say “wow!” and this exhibit did not.
