New York City allows for a spectrum of lifestyles to dwell within its boundaries. It offers the startling life of wealth and luxury, as well as the horrendous life of poverty and struggle. In addition to its cultural and socioeconomic acceptance, the city is home to the finest of arts and creativity. An individual living in New York City without having acknowledged the city’s unique persona, or taken advantage of its rich cultural diversity and arts, is a man deprived indeed. I must confess that I walked into Arts of NYC as a partially deprived person. Although I understood that the city’s diverse ethnic nature allowed one to taste the world, I was completely ignorant towards the spectacular artworks and the numerous forms that the city takes. Had I not been given this class, specifically matched with this certain professor, I would’ve stayed oblivious to a world worth serious acknowledgement and appraisal.

From what I understood and took away from this course, I believe this class was designed to not only allow students to engage with the creative artworks of New York City, but to understand the exceptionality of the city through contrasting roles that it plays for its people. I’m reminded of an image of a keen eye looking at NYC through a magnifying class. This class resembles this image so well, in that we looked at NYC with a naked eye when we considered the city as an icon through the eyes of people, and then we took a magnifying look to get to the streets of the city and learn about its highs and lows.

            Uptown and Downtown was the first theme in this course. It touched the extremely important topic of socioeconomics in NYC, and portrayed societal classes in relationship to their moral values. This theme had so much to say about the character of NYC and its ability to house a wide range of people. As a student, I came to conscious realization of the opposite worlds that manage to make a living in this city. It is as if the city was constructed in a way to fit in every class, culture, and ethnicity. Woody Allen in Manhattan was a fairly wealthy man whose concerns were his delicate reputation or an under aged girlfriend. God of Carnage portrayed the questionable values of New Yorker parents who thoughtlessly argued about a minuscule issue. In extreme contrast, we meet with morality deprived characters in In Arabia We’d All Be Kings, where unemployment and poverty are the social norms and robbery and drugs are the alternatives. I stepped out of this section of the class realizing that NYC does “justice” to societal classes in providing space for all of them. Societal class and economy in return, drive the lifestyle and concerns of the individual. Accepting such a diverse range of people, it is no surprise that NYC breathes life into every kind of lifestyle.

City of Immigrants-by the title of the theme, this was just any other section that talked about the magnetic nature of NYC and its strong immigrant attraction. Not knowing the experience of an immigrant, this theme didn’t touch me deeply or grasp my interest. To my surprise, this section of the course was designed carefully and effectively that it managed to shift my world and change my viewpoint. Enjoying a class is one thing, but walking out of a class with a new perspective is astounding. I am only indebted to Professor Healey for using such wise judgment and selecting the artworks that she did. Maria Full of Grace gave me the chills and taught me the horrors of immigrants. Yellow Face and Asuncion gave me some laughs and left me wondering about the complications of races and ethnicities in NYC. In America took me from the eyes of a tourist and the beautiful views of Times Square to the eyes of an immigrant and a shabby conflict-infested building. Finally, Carlo’s story in Intringulis outright questioned by beliefs and opinions and forced me to see a viewpoint I never considered. I have always been a rule following nerd who couldn’t bear the thought of surpassing borders illegally. It is a crime, after all. Carlo opened me up to an illegal immigrant’s side of the story. Opportunities in America meant too much for illegal immigrants to let go of. The crime they committed by entering this country illegally was more than just compensated by the burden and pain they faced everyday. Had I considered that for a single minute before? I would still prefer that the rules be followed today, I can’t help it. However, I must agree that I understand an illegal immigrant’s drive to be here. The City of Immigrants just had to be my favorite theme. It seemed the most truthful as well, not because I haven’t faced the dreams/nightmares or wealth/poverty of the city, but because I’ve seen cultural diversity and the inability of immigrants to fit in. This theme related to students like myself in a more personal way because my parents too are immigrants.

City of Dreams or Urban Nightmare-NYC is still the city of my dreams. I can walk the streets of Manhattan everyday and still dream of going there like I’ve never gone before. It might be the lights, the beauty, or the atmosphere that draws me in. I honestly can’t even tell. Our neighborhood blog only proved my love the city. I mean come on, name one other city that has Little Italy, Chinatown, a Lower East Side, Greenwich Village, and SoHo in it! E.B. White is so true in saying that each NYC neighborhood is so complete and has its own life. The artworks, foods, and atmosphere of each neighborhood was extremely different and pleasing than the other. In my bubble of NYC dreams and wonders, I never even thought this place could be a nightmare for many. It was obviously a nightmare for the struggling immigrants, but artworks such as Kindness, inhabited, and The Mercy Seat showed me other horrors of NYC too. 9/11 was the greatest horrors to have struck New York City. Surprisingly, the city still flourished and maintained its dreamy image. Why then wouldn’t NYC be the topic of a conversation, the title of an artwork, or the focus of a college course? The city has so much to learn and experience from.

I leave this course with a sincere gratitude towards Macaulay Honors College for giving me the opportunity to view my city with a different lens, and Professor Healey for helping me construct the lens through which I saw NYC and its artworks. It might just be a couple of months and a single semester, but this course has changed me. My opinions and critical analyses of ideas and artworks are more thoughtful and confident. I don’t change my mind about disliking an artwork because someone famous finds it valuable and beautiful. I don’t judge books and movies solely on the story they’re portraying. I judge art with a heavier consideration on its theme, message, colors, costumes, set design, and historical context. Had I been assigned a different Professor for this course, I would’ve continued to ignore the costumes and sets of movies and performances. Today however, it has become second nature for me to not only notice those things, but to question the symbolism behind every action of the character. Just yesterday I was watching an Indian movie where a heart broken girl walks away from his beloved’s girlfriend by giving her a red scarf. I was completely confused by this move, and didn’t understand why she would care to give away her red scarf when she was busy crying over the one she loved. Normally I wouldn’t care and would consider this move to be happening “just because”, but because Professor Healey would pinpoint things and question them, and so, it became habit for me to do it too. It was only later in the movie did I learn that although the girl was heartbroken herself, she gave away the red scarf to congratulate her beloved’s girlfriend on starting a new married life. The girl’s move did have a point! This is only one example of many that I come across now that I have completed the Art in NYC course. I look deeper into the different images and portrayals of NYC too, and try to figure out whether a certain neighborhood has been gentrified. Overall, whether it’s for NYC or its arts, the most valuable thing I have gotten from this course is a keen eye. With this eye I can see, think, judge and analyze so much more than I ever used to.

For all of this, thank you Professor Healey. Your class did make a difference.

I was looking forward to this class because everybody said it was the best seminar of the four that we have to take. I had certain expectations going into this class and I can honestly say that they were surpassed. I’ve really enjoyed myself throughout my first semester of college because of this seminar…it really gave me an opportunity to experience the New York I knew existed but was apathetic about exploring. I’ve been exposed to a very different New York because of this class, one that I would not have explored on my own. I’ve read plays I would not have read, seen movies I would not have seen and watched performances I would not have watched. But I’m glad I got to read, see and watch every play, movie and performance we did because even thought I didn’t enjoy each and every one, I learned something different. There were some pieces of art that I did not enjoy or understand such as Anthony Caro or The Bald Soprano but even then, they offer a unique perspective to art and speak to a different audience and I recognize them as art.

The immigration aspect of New York is the one that affected me the most and was my favorite. I’ve always known immigrants play a huge role in this city but I never could relate. I always heard their stories but there was never a face to them. Intringulis, is one of my most favorite ways in which New York City was portrayed. I realized how hard it is for some people to make it in this city and I began to appreciate my life here, something I took for granted before. For me, this was the most powerful depiction of the city I live in because I’m most familiar with it. After seeing this one-man show, I really felt for the illegal immigrants in this city hoping for success. I truly connected with Intringulis but at the same time, I truly enjoyed Supernatural Wife. I absolutely loved this performance because it was so fun to watch and I was amazed at how talented each and every one of the performers is. I loved the singing because the harmony was so pleasant to listen to. The dancing was unique and a little different, but I loved how they choreographed the dance to music that didn’t exactly go well together. It made it more interesting and unusual. I liked how the performance was based on an old tragicomedy but it was a very unique and moving adaptation. I really enjoyed this piece for its uniqueness and combination of dancing, singing, and acting.

New York City, for me is one full of the haves and have nots, immigrants, and dreams and nightmares. New York’s diversity has allowed this city to be home for all kinds of people and ideas. This city is so diverse because it is home to immigrants from all over the world who have dreamt of a better life full of opportunities. Their desire for a better life is not enough to survive in this city; it’s hard work. It requires luck and connections and that’s why some people have everything and others have nothing. Some people are living out their dreams while others are living in their worst nightmares. These three themes of NYC that we’ve explored throughout the semester describe the whole city and the people living in it. I think that this city has bits and pieces of all three views but if I truly had to pick just one view that defines New York City, I would choose the immigration unit because it plays the largest role in making this city what it is.

Throughout this semester, I’ve had the opportunity to explore a side of New York that I was not familiar with. I’m very grateful for this seminar for exposing so many different art forms to me and showing me that art is not only what’s in museums. Having been to an opera, exhibits, plays, seen movies, and read plays, I’ve had a larger appreciation for art and I hope I continue to explore Art in NYC.

So here I am, tapping away on my keyboard telling you all about my thoughts and feelings again. I’ve been doing this for a really long time now, you know? Three months is a long time right? Right? Anyway, I’ve reviewed plays, pieces of art, researched New York City, and told you my inner thoughts on trending topics. I did this willingly and semi-happily.

My only goal here was to please.

Like really please.

Textually.

However, I must note that I only received one comment on any of my blogs. It was about Jesse Eisenberg being Jewish. I don’t know if the commenter was mad or happy, but I was just glad to get any attention. Also, Professor Healey’s critique on my writing gave me a nice smile. I like feedback, negative or positive. Oh, and I received no hearts, which explains my semi-happy writing.

Nevertheless, I have here my final stand. Like it or hate it, I care not, unless of course you are my professor. So here we go.

I’ve read God of Carnage, In Arabia We’d All Be Kings, Yellowface, The Matchmaker, A View From the Bridge, Kindness, and The Mercy Seat. These scripts were all a great read and they provided good insight on different points of views of New York; there’s the issue of immigrants and how they’re treated within Yellowface; the life of the lower class in In Arabia We’d All Be Kings; a different take on the events of September 11th in The Mercy Seat; and just many other peculiar situations that take place in New York City. Of all the books that I’ve read, Yellowface, which was written by David Henry Hwang, stuck to me the most. It could have been the dried up juice on the cover that bound us together for a few minutes, or perhaps the material of the cover. Alas, I jest. Seriously though, the book, of all the other interesting ones, did well in capturing my attention. Yellowface featured the issues of Asian immigrants in New York City. I am an Asian American whose family is full of Asian immigrants. Get what I mean? I connected with the character, and I was quite pleased once my professor made the class present a part of the play. I mean there isn’t much scrutiny for Asians nowadays, but there was definitely quite a lot of teasing when I was a kid. The connection is sorta there. Anyway, let’s get on with the show shall we?

Professor Healey did great in varying our exposure to the arts in New York. Aside from books, we watched some good plays, an opera, a dance, and observed some… interesting art pieces. The plays were all amazing in my opinion.

The Bald Soprano, perhaps the one play that didn’t get many good raves from my peers, was actually quite enjoyable to me and quite representative of the wealthy upper class of the New York Elite.

Intringulis was amazing, and it was a very unique performance. I didn’t know what to expect from a solo performance, but Carlo did a hell of a job. He exposed the real life of an illegal immigrant coming to New York with rock music, a paintball gun, writing, and a lot of shouting. He corrected a lot of misunderstanding and unknown facts about illegal immigrants. I’d say the whole thing was quite touching.

Asuncion was just freaking hilarious. That’s right, freaking. Boy did I get my laughs. First of all, they featured a Filipino woman. I am Filipino. Oh the joyous connections. Not to mention they had Jesse Eisenberg and Justin Bartha on the set. WHAT?! Yeah. Although this was the one play that didn’t have the greatest connection to New York City, it was my favorite. If you want to stretch and connect it to New York, you can relate it to the ethnocentrism of New Yorkers, or something right? Of course.

Well anyway, the opera of Don Giovanni was boring. Opera is not my thing. The music, as well as the singing, was magnifico! However, the pace was insane. Not a good insane obviously. The opera is a part of the fantasy of New York that many of my peers and I don’t appeal to. The upper class sure enjoyed the heck out of it; mostly the break though, as we all did.

Finally, we have Supernatural Wife which was a dance. This dance had nothing to do about New York, so there’s not much to say in terms of portrayal and whatnot however, it was just really awesome. The funny looking dancing to heavy industrial music left me in a weird state of enjoyment. The Greek Chorus they had was absolutely brilliant too, with their smooth harmonies and comedic lyrics. Oh yeah, and we sat front row +. That’s in front of the front row. Being so close to the dancers was definitely a great experience. Speaking of experiences, I’d just like to thank my professor for the amazing opportunities in this course. Thank you very much!

Oh wait, who said I was done? Not me. Who could forget the movies? There was a lot of movies we watched this term. They all represented a good portion of New York in their own special way, such as Manhattan with its upper class, ridiculous issues (Oh, Woody Allen…); and Do the Right Thing with its representation of exaggerated racial tensions in New York. These movies were all amazing… except for the 9/11 documentary that I just didn’t like. I saw a great deal of classics that I had never seen before the course. So for that too, I give my thanks.

My favorite work? It has to be Asuncion. I just can’t get over the stun I got when I realized I was watching famous people in a play. Also, I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard during a play before. Everything appealed so well to me. I talked to Jesse FREAKIN Eisenberg! Alright, I don’t worship the man, but I get antsy when I meet famous people. Like when I met Snooky at the gym. Thats another story for another time.

The most truthful work? Intringulis. Illegal immigration is a serious topic in New York that I’ve actually taken the time to think about. There are people walking along the streets around us that have stories which would put us to our knees in tears. Illegal immigrants go through so many hardships, even if they’re famous like Carlo. New York City is a hub for these immigrants as it is the city of opportunity. Many people believe the New York opportunity has faded, but I don’t think so. I think it is still very much alive.

So here I am, tapping away on my keyboard telling you about my thoughts. (I apologize if I wrote too much. My mind has diarrhea.) This is the last time I’ll ever be here… My stage is finally taking a close. So I bid thee adieu. Farewell my faithful audience. Farewell my beautiful peers. Farewell awesome professor. The Arts in New York City course was definitely a blessing this semester. I am much more educated about New York now than before I walked into the course. So I am entirely grateful.

Much Love,

Reinard Bukalan

Thank you for listening.

Of all the sections we went through this semester I enjoyed the Immigrants section unit the best. It contained my favorite play and one of my favorite films, Yellow Face by David Henry Hwang, and In America. Yellow Face portrayed a New York full of political corruption, and toyed with the notion of race. The play was both hilarious and well written. In America was a film that portrayed New York as a place to start over, a place to move past the hardship and suffering you endured in the past.

A documentary we watched this semester was Fahrenheit 9/11, like Yellow Face its aim was to show the political corruption in our country. It was incredibly comedic, but obviously biased. Maria Full of Grace is another film that can be thought as controversial, as it tells the story of a young girl who becomes a drug mule. It’s a powerful film that portrays America as a place of opportunity, though are hardships are bound to happen. Do the Right Thing was a movie that I’d always heard about but never thought to watch. Though the comedy didn’t reach out the entire class, the themes of racism and social supremacy in New York was obviously present through out the entire film. Taxi Driver portrayed a New York full of prostitutes, dealers, and drug addicts; a New York full of corruption. And while all of these movies concentrated on immigrants and middle class New Yorkers, Manhattan was a film about the upper class of Manhattan, and how fickle, superficial, and self-absorbed the wealthy could be.

The plays we saw for the seminar were for the most part enjoyable. And the works I did not find entertaining still left some sort of impression on me. I actually thoroughly enjoyed all the plays except Don Giovonni, with Supernatural Wife being my absolute favorite. Intringulus, written and starred by Carlo Alban (sup Carlos?), contained themes like immigration, sacrifice, and alienation. Asuncion (Jesse Eisenberg!!!) was a play that showed the quick assumptions that we as humans make. The Bald Soprano portrayed a New York filled with citizens who heard, but never listened, a New York full of people who spoke dribble, and excelled in drabble.

Now onto the plays we read. The Matchmaker was definitely a good runner up to Yellow Face. It was just a funny (when read aloud), and portrayed the sunny upper-class side of New York. Like the characters of Manhattan, these people have essentially got it all, and their biggest problems involved the matters of love. A View From the Bridge was actually another favorite of mine. Though the patriarch, Eddie had me seething it showed the hard-knock life of New York. Starting in a new life in another country is not easy. And in New York not everyone is always no happy to lend a hand, this play demonstrates how selfish and stubborn New Yorkers can be. God of Carnage involves characters just as single minded and stubborn, while In Arabia We’d All Be Kings, is a tale of lower class individuals who wish for lives they cannot make themselves work towards. In Mercy Seat and Kindness, again we are shown the selfish side of New York. As shown in these works of art, at times bad situations can bring out the worst in individuals.

Out of all of these plays the most truthful have got to be Do The Right Thing, Intringulus, and In Arabia We’d All Be Kings were definitely the most effective in describing the true New York. Though these pieces are full of color and laughs, underneath the comedy of Do the Right Thing we see the racism that happens in the streets everyday. We see what separates the different racial classes, and plays with the ties of society. Intringulus lays out first hand experience of Carlo Alban, and through his acting and rhyme, we witness firsthand the insecurities, responsibilities, and worries of a teenage illegal immigrant. And In Arabia We’d All Be Kings reveals the depressing truth about human nature, sometimes instead of reaching for better lives, we sit back and wish for them, we talk about them. And while everything else is improving and evolving we stay the same, as our very environment outgrows us.