Stacy Shapiro – The Arts in New York City (CSI, 2016)

Poetry Recitations

This week in seminar, we read our poems. However, before everyone presented their poems, we read Robert Frost’s poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”. We also viewed a video of Robert Frost reciting the poem himself, in order to give us a better idea of how to recite our own poems. Professor Kahan also gave us some tips after we watched the video. When reciting a poem, you need to think of every word before you speak. You have to present the words.

Truthfully, I was not looking forward to the class. For one, I was nervous about presenting my own poem. Public speaking has never been one of my strong suits, though I have had quite a few experiences with public speaking before. In addition, I was prepared to be very bored, having to sit through 19 poem recitations. Although informative, the video projects from the last seminar were very tedious to sit through. I thought that listening to poems would be no better. However, I honestly did not find this week’s seminar to be that bad. I actually liked hearing and watching everyone recite their poems. All of the poems were very interesting. Some poems were even funny. Overall, I think that everyone did a very nice job, considering that most of the class probably has had no experience reciting a poem before.

Blog # 10: Public Sculpture Projects

This week in seminar, we viewed every group’s videos about public sculpture. While watching five, 20-minute videos definitely wasn’t something that I liked to do, the videos did end up being very informative. The first group was Cece, Rob, Matt, and Sandy. Their video focused on sculptures with American theme. I learned a lot about the Statue of Liberty that I hadn’t known before. I didn’t know that there was a sculpture on Staten Island, in memory of 9/11. I will definitely visit the memorial when I get the chance to. The video was very informative. The second group was Michael, Sam, Alana, and Adam. The topic of their video was sculptures of historical women. Their group focused a lot on the sculptures themselves and really took note of the different textures and appearances of all of the statues. Their video also talked about bronze and its symbolism, which I found very interesting. The third group was Eva, Rob, Johnnan, and Joe. Their video focused on the statues historical and political figures. I didn’t know who Juan Pablo Duarte was and it was interesting to learn a little about his life. My group, which consisted of Hannah, Jason, Anthony and me, was the fourth to present our video. Our theme was equestrian sculptures. The last group was Lisa, Gil, Yeneliz, and Tim. I really liked their video. The video was about the “Life Underground” collection by Tom Otterness. It was very analytical and informative. I’ve been at the 14^th Street and Eighth Avenue station before, but I didn’t notice the sculptures. The next time I’m there, I definitely will take a look. I did feel a little nervous when Dr. Kahan discussed each group’s project and their grade out loud. However, all of the groups did very well. Overall, all of the projects were well put together.

Blog # 9

In yesterday’s seminar, our substitute lecturer was our ITF, Joseph Pentangelo. We discussed the movie A Bronx Tale. The movie is organized as a basic narrative. Basic narratives generally have four parts – an exposition, rising action, climax, and falling action or denouement, though there are often exceptions. This is a structure typically common in novels. We also talked about the major themes prevalent in the movie – allegiance, neighborhoods, race, gender, morality, class, and organized crime. While discussing the gender roles in A Bronx Tale, we also briefly mentioned the Bechdel Test. A work of fiction passes the Bechdel Test, if it has two women who talk to each other about something, other than a man.

Since A Bronx Tale, was a one-man play that was created into a movie and more recently, a musical, we discussed different works of literature that were also recreated in other forms of media, and how the recreation diverged from the original. One example we discussed was Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. In the original novel, Frankenstein’s monster was an intelligent, sensible, and talented creature. However, the movie completely deviated from the book, by making Frankenstein’s monster unintelligent. The class, in groups, then discussed and shared, two works of media that were adapted into two other forms, as well as any changes that the work went through in the process of the adaptation. Such examples were Star Wars, Frozen, Superman, Spiderman, and Annie. It is very common for a piece of literature, to experience changes and deviations when it is translated into other art forms.

Blog # 8 Dr. Wechsler

This week in seminar, we met Dr. Wechsler, who is a music professor at CSI, a flutist, and a composer. We discussed music in the twentieth century. New York City used to be the music store capital. A lot of music stores were located on 48^th Street. Now, they are located at 34^th Street. Many music stores were owned and run by piano companies, such as Aelolian, Baldwin, Chickering, Mason and Hamlin, and Steinway. They had large piano show rooms and recital halls. One of the only remaining music stores that still has a recital halls and show rooms is the Yamaha on 5^th Avenue.

We discussed the history of music in the twentieth century. Dr. Wechsler also talked the “hot” spots for song writers in New York City. The first one was Tin Pan Alley. It was a popular spot for songwriters Irving Berlin, Morton Gould, and others. A later popular spot in the 1950s, was the Brill Building. It was for songwriters Carole King and Neil Sedeka, among others. Dr. Wechsler also told us about the companies ASCAP and BMI. Afterwards, he played us a song from the 1940s. We also watched two episodes of “Betty Boop”, which I really liked.

Towards the end of seminar, Dr. Wechsler spoke to us about himself and his very impressive musical career. He is a member of the Brooklyn Philharmonic and he is the main director and flutist in the OMNI Ensemble.. He was the principal flutist and later the personal manager of the Connecticut Grand Opera. He also subbed in the orchestra of Broadway shows. In addition, he has been a member of many operas and symphonies. He even lived in Israel for some time, when he was a member of two orchestras there. At the end of class, Dr. Wechsler performed a few songs for us, using his flute and then an electronic wind instrument. I really enjoyed listening to him play the flute for us at the end.

Blog # 7.2 Bob Dylan

The week in seminar, we discussed Bob Dylan, in lieu of his receiving of the Nobel Prize in Literature. I’ve heard of Bob Dylan before, but I’ve never listened to any of his songs until Wednesday, during class.

I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised at how catchy the songs were. Bob Dylan may not have the best voice, but it is very distinct. His voice is also very calming to listen to. His lyrics are simple, but blunt. They are very easy to understand. Listening to some of his songs, it sometimes appears that he is speaking into the microphone, rather than singing. During his performances, all Bob Dylan used was his voice, a guitar, and a harmonica.

That is very different compared to music today. As we mentioned during the seminar, music on the radios today focuses largely on production and special technical effects. You rarely ever hear someone singing, with just a guitar or piano providing the background music. I found it very surprising and pleasant to hear and watch such a toned down performance.

I really liked the song “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright”, as well as “Blowin’ in the Wind.” I also liked “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” who we heard Joan Baez, Bob Dylan’s then-girlfriend, sing. “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” had a lot of witty and zingers in it. I didn’t notice them when I first heard the song, but I listened to it again when I came home, and I paid more attention to the lyrics.

Both “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” were songs against American involvement in military conflict. They both paint saddening pictures of lives being lost in warfare. “Blowin’ in the Wind” focuses more on people dying because of the actual fighting, while “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” focuses more on the impending fear of nuclear fallout during the Cold War. I found “Blowin’ in the Wind” to be very catchy and I liked it the most of the songs we heard in class.

I also listened to “Like a Rolling Stone.” This song had more instruments in the background. I could hear a keyboard, drums, and a guitar. In the songs we listened to during class, the only instruments used were a guitar and a harmonica. “Like a Rolling Stone” was also funkier and more upbeat than “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” and “Blowin’ in the Wind”.

I also listened to Bob Dylan’s version of “House of the Rising Sun,” which became popular by the group the Animals. In his rendition of the song, Bob Dylan’s voice sounds edgier than in the other songs that I listened to, especially in the second half of the song. The tempo picks up and the song gets a rock music vibe, before the tempo slows down again towards the end. There also more parts in this song where it seems that is speaking rather than singing.

Though I never listened to Bob Dylan’s songs before, now that I have, I have to admit that I really do like them. His music isn’t like the music I typically listen to, but I do enjoy it.

Blog # 7.1 Don Giovanni

My only complaint about seeing “Don Giovanni” was how tired I was when I got home and how late it was. That being said, I honestly have to say that it was definitely worth it. I really enjoyed the show.

I loved the character of Leporello. He was the first person we met and he was entertaining from the get-go of the show. I loved his first line: Night and day I slave, for one who does not appreciate it.” The line summarized his entire character. He disapproved of Don Giovanni’s plans, yet continued to help him with them nonetheless. Leporello’s witty and sarcastic remarks, were very amusing throughout the entire performance.

I also loved the character of Donna Elvira. Though Don Giovanni betrayed her, numerous times in fact, she continued to believe that he could repent and love her. She was so willing to give a second, third, and even fourth chance of becoming a better person. When Masetto, Zerlina, Donna Maria, and Don Ottavio found Don Giovanni, Donna Elvira wanted them to have mercy on him. She truly believed that he could be a better person.

Even though I read the summary of the opera beforehand and I knew what was going to happen during every scene, it was still very enjoyable to see it happen. I knew when and how Don Giovanni would meet his end, but I was still amazed when it actually happened. Although part of did want Don Giovanni to change, I knew he wouldn’t. I think that the ending of the show was perfect.

Besides the show itself, I was completely mesmerized by the orchestra. Many times during the opera, I found myself getting lost in the music and not paying attention to the words of the singers. I sometimes watched the orchestra playing, rather than paying attention to what was happening on the stage. The orchestra truly was phenomenal.

The singers themselves were also unbelievably amazing. I honestly respect and admire them. They were singing and acting at the same time, throughout the entire show. I’ve been to Broadway and there are many musical numbers between scenes, but the actors aren’t always singing. In Don Giovanni, the performers only sang. It takes an unbelievable amount of stamina and endurance to continuously sing continuously for 90 minutes. On top of that, all of the performers were singing over the sound of the orchestra, without any microphones. We were at the very top of the hall, yet I could still hear them clearly. That is truly extraordinary.

Blog # 6: Introduction to Opera

This week during seminar, we learned about the opera. We discussed different parts of an opera, such as recitative, arias, scenas. We also talked about the different types of voices that are featured in an opera, like sopranos, mezzos, tenors, baritones, and basses, as well as how each voice type is typically presented in an opera. Villains, for example, are typically baritones, while the priests or high kings are typically basses. While discussing voice types, we also talked about coloratura – the ability to sing a lot of notes really fast, which is common for sopranos or mezzos, whom are female characters.

We also briefly discussed the life of Mozart, as he was the composer of Don Giovanni. I was completely amazed to learn that he started composing his own music at a very young age – 6. He wrote his manuscripts only once, which is very unheard of for composers. In addition, Mozart often played pool while composing new music, as is evident by the stains on some of his manuscripts.

I found it very interesting how Kierkegaard views Don Giovanni as the literal and figurative center of the entire opera. The lives of the other characters revolve around him; their stories in the opera stem from Don Giovanni and his actions. In essence, the other characters wouldn’t exist without Don Giovanni or their interactions with him. I also found it intriguing how Kierkegaard views the character of Don Giovanni as musical and not physical. He remarked that Don Giovanni should not be personified or given a detailed description, he should be listened to, like music. His character should be heard, not seen. This is very peculiar, as in typical theatrical performances, a character’s appearance plays a large role in how they are perceived by the audience.

Blog # 5: More on Film Technique and Ace in the Hole

During this week’s class, we continued our discussion on film techniques. We watched various scenes from movies, such as The Bourne Trilogy, Young Frankenstein, All the President’s Men, and When Harry Met Sally. First, we watched the clips without volume and then with volume. I was able to notice how much of a difference sound actually makes in movies. Without hearing the dialogue or any sound, I was able to pay more attention to little details in the scenes and the camera angles.

Afterwards, we continued to watch Ace in the Hole. While we were watching the movie, I tried my best to pay attention to the camera angles and the camera shots, as well as to the actual movie. At first, it wasn’t very easy. It’s hard to focus on what the camera is doing, while also trying to focus on what was actually going on in the movie. But, I did eventually get the hang of it. I was able to write down some examples to use for my paper.

I was really surprised by the ending of the film. I wasn’t expecting Tatum to die, but I do feel that him dying was the perfect way to end the movie, even though it was sad. I was also upset that Leo didn’t survive. I was hoping for him to be rescued.

Blog # 4 Film Techniques and “Can a line define?”

During yesterday’s class, we began discussing cinematography and film technique. Specifically, we talked about different camera angles and how they affect scenes in movies. I actually enjoyed watching clips from different movies. We also learned that in film, like the fine arts, the three most important things are form, content, and meaning.

I definitely liked watching clips/scenes from movies, better than looking at and analyzing pictures and photographs. Movies are more entertaining to me, than pictures. I find it easier to connect to a movie or what the director or writer is trying to say, than with what a photographer or a painter are trying to exude in their works of art. Also, with movies, there is a lot of action and movement. Paintings and photographs are static, even if they are dynamic or dramatic.

Towards the end of class, we went to the opening of the art exhibit, “Can a line define?”, right at CSI. During the opening, Le Brothers, two artists from Vietnam, performed. They were walking around the room in circles, holding a mirror. Two boys followed them, each with a bouquet of flowers. At one point in the performance, one of the Brothers sat down in a red chair and the other Brother wrapped him around in yarn. Everyone in the room gathered around to watch them. Photographers as well as visitors, were taking pictures of the performance. I was in the back of the crowd, just trying to figure out what was going on in front of me. I honestly didn’t understand what they were doing. I read the summary about them in the programs handed out in the entrance, but that did little to shed some light on what was going on. I was confused for the entire performance.

Though, I did enjoy the fact that we were actually able to leave the classroom and move around. We spent a majority of the class sitting down, discussing scenes from movies and the camera angles used in them. I did enjoy watching the movies, but overall, I would prefer visiting and walking around museums or other places, to view works of art, rather than sitting down for three hours.

Blog # 3 Photography and the Brooklyn Museum

I am not an artist. I am nowhere near close to being an artist. The only thing I can draw is a flower, and even that’s no Van Gogh masterpiece.

I am even worse when it comes to looking at other people’s works of art. When I go to a museum, I look at a painting or a picture as a whole, and then move on. I don’t pay attention to specific details, I don’t wonder what the artist was thinking when they created the painting or took the photograph, or why they framed it the way they did. I enjoy my time reading books, not looking at photographs or art exhibits in museums.

So when Professor Reinhardt showed us two photographs that were exactly the same and said that they were different, I had no idea what she was talking about. I saw no differences in the photographs at all. That was, until someone pointed out that one photo was slightly smaller. Even then, I needed to look really closely at the photos to actually notice that one of them had slightly larger borders. I never would have noticed that myself. I guess that just goes to show my attention (or lack, thereof) to art.

Professor Reinhardt went on to show us another two photographs. Once again, I saw absolutely no difference between the two. Professor Reinhardt told us that in one of the photos, the black background had a drop of blue and in the other, the black had a drop of brown. I really wouldn’t have noticed that, even if I looked up close at both photos.

However, Professor Reinhardt’s lecture did open my eyes to how much work does go in to taking a photo and how even more work goes into presenting a photo to the public. Knowing this, I will definitely try to make more of an effort and have more appreciation when it comes to examining art, and not just look at a photo and move on to the next one. Though, I can’t promise that I will succeed.

After the seminar, we travelled to the Brooklyn Museum for Macaulay Night at the Museum. As part of the visit, we had to look at works of art and choose two to record a discussion of. I know that my discussions were not the best, but I did try, considering that I never actually discussed art before. It was awkward and really strange at first; I even had to redo the recordings or choose a different piece of art to talk about.

Overall, though, I did enjoy the trip. I saw some friends that I haven’t seen in years and I even talked to some people that I didn’t know. Though the day was really long (I didn’t get home till a little before 11), it was very fun and definitely interesting.