Author: jasminel3

Christmas Windows on 5th Avenue

December 17, 2014 / jasminel3 / 0 Comments

It is a fact that everybody loves Christmas – even Scrooge and the Grinch have converted. The holiday spirit is contagious, and there is something special about having Christmas music playing in the mall alongside luminous lights, decorations, and jolly people that is felt only once a year. One of my favorite shopping destinations is Midtown around the 34^th Street area. When I have a reason to shop and look at Christmas decorations, I never deny the opportunity!

Fifth Avenue is internationally acknowledged as one of the prime shopping districts in New York. After all, it did land a spot in the list of “2012 Great Places in America.” In addition to the shopping, the street is home to well-known museums, parks, luxury apartments, and historical landmarks (some located nearby in Midtown). It is also ranked as one of the most expensive streets to own property on, coming at a whopping price of $1,850 per square foot of space. While I walked along Fifth Avenue from the 49^th Street train station, I noticed the New York Public Library and its striking resemblance to the government buildings in City Hall with their granite and limestone exteriors and Greek columns. I also passed by Rockefeller Center, where the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony was held about a week ago! I felt privileged to be able to live in a city a lot of time, money, and effort is put in to raise our already high quality of life. At the same time, I also felt selfish to be able to enjoy luxuries like shopping and celebrating Christmas when there are so many other people that are less fortunate.

Although I love Christmas and shopping, another reason I chose this community is because it perfectly reflects the American consumerist culture. Tourists and locals alike visit Midtown because it has the largest collection of luxury boutiques at “cheaper” prices than elsewhere in the world. These include international brands and flagship stores such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Chanel – you know, brands that middle class folk like me cannot afford on a daily basis (or at all).

Despite the overpriced goods, Fifth Avenue also represents America’s place in the world as a world power, both economically and politically. Notice that the brands come from all around the world, proving the major role that globalization continues to play in the American economy. Even though not everyone can afford the luxury brands, Fifth Avenue does offer free recreational activities for friends and family from all ranks of social status, like the Christmas windows. Call Fifth Avenue exclusive or inclusive, but I’m just glad that it helps keep the American economy and the holiday spirit alive.

Jenny and I took a subway ride to Midtown after school to see the windows at Lord&Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Macy’s. We wanted to go with Jennifer also, but she was at work filling in for a coworker who was on sick leave. Anyway, Jenny and I departed in the afternoon forgetting that windows tend to have a glare when the sun is out. We took videos and pictures at Lord&Taylor first, then at Saks Fifth Avenue, and Jennifer went to Macy’s a few days later. I took my camera with me to record videos while Jenny took pictures on her cell phone; however, we decided not to include the videos because the window glare made the displays unclear. For some of the pictures that were unclear, we substituted it with pictures from online. Also, it was really hard to avoid the crowd and filter out the noise and traffic along Fifth Avenue. Despite that, we still really enjoyed the windows because the glare and noise is not as prevalent or noticeable in person.

The Lord&Taylor windows were my favorite because I had seen them a few weeks ago with my family, and the feeling they gave me was warm and cozy but also magical and festive. It included interior views of holiday mansions inhabited by all kinds of animals – mice, birds, dogs, and cats. They celebrated in communities, which captured the sense of gathering and reuniting with family and friends during Christmas. The magical element came through from the windows through the movements of the props and figures. These windows were the most animated because it incorporated video wall technology and mechanical movements of the animals. Although there wasn’t really a storyline (like the Macy’s one), I really enjoyed it because it captured my emotions during the holiday season and represented – in a very cute way – how many people spend the holidays. I also learned that these windows are powered by hydraulics (a pressurized water system), which really excited me because I love anything that involves environmental awareness and sustainability.

The second set of windows we visited was at Saks Fifth Avenue, which included very lavish and elaborate displays centered on a fairytale theme. It was called “An Enchanted Experience” and featured Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, Little Red Riding Hood, and Sleeping Beauty. I loved Disney fairytales as a little kid and still do. The hilarious and clever twist that Saks Fifth Avenue put on these fairytales were shown in the captions on the bottom of the windows. For example, my favorites were Cinderella’s, which read “Once upon a time in New York, Cinderella fell madly in love with a pair of designer shoes” and Sleeping Beauty’s, which read “Once upon a time in New York, Sleeping Beauty had trouble adjusting to the city that never sleeps.” As you can see, the windows captured New York City with elaborate and funny fairytale elements.

I took them all lightheartedly, but when analyzed more in-depth, the windows put a spotlight on New Yorkers’ busy, materialistic, and entertainment culture. All of the princesses’ gowns were decorative enough to be performers’ costumes and elements of Broadway were seen especially in the Snow White window, which had billboards in the background. It is a little concerning to see that people (including myself) are so easily caught up in wanting brand-name products like fancy shoes and the perfect holiday party dress. Amidst our many desires further encouraged by genius marketing strategies, however, we forget that material goods only bring temporary happiness.

What should be more important is the long-term effect that someone can produce for oneself and for others. Recently, my mom bought a perfume for me that I wanted for a very long time. For the first few days, I worshipped it like pirate’s treasure. I still love it now, but the hype has died down; rather, what was more long lasting and valuable was that my mom bought it for me because she knew it would make me happy. Also, what is important during the holidays is giving back to others – especially to people who are less fortunate. There are red Salvation Army buckets set up all around Manhattan, and something in the news caught my eye. A widow put her diamond engagement ring in the bucket along with a heartbreaking and moving note that read, “In all seasons, my husband was a giver. I especially remember his joy in giving at Christmastime, especially to those in need. To honor his memory, I donate this ring.” It really inspired me to keep others (besides myself, my family, and my friends) in mind throughout the holiday season.

Having lived in New York my entire life, it was familiar and comforting to see how New Yorkers themselves portrayed the holiday season. However, I would love to see more of Christmas represented around the world. I’m curious about what other people besides Americans are doing during this time of the year, and how different or similar their ways of celebrating are. I’m also curious whether they celebrate Christmas at all or if not, how they celebrate a different holiday. I love learning about different cultures as well as my own. Looking at the Christmas windows solidified my views of New York City as a very extravagant yet diverse place, full of opportunities and dreams if one is willing to reach and work for them. Unfortunately, Jenny, Jennifer, and I couldn’t look at all of the holiday windows located along Fifth Avenue (the rest are listed below if you would like to see them!). Several stores also had performances on the days they unveiled their windows, and I also wish that I could have attended them. Overall, I really enjoyed seeing Midtown dressed in its holiday gear and sharing the holiday spirit with all of the other shoppers and families who were there as well. I learned that the holiday season is one of the few rare escapes that many New Yorkers experience from their usually inundated and busy lives. I am so glad that they exist to keep the child alive within us all.

Bergdorf Goodman (754 Fifth Ave, at 58th St)

Bloomingdale’s (1000 Third Ave, at 59th St)

Lord&Taylor (424 Fifth Ave, between 38^th and 39^th St)

Macy’s Herald Square (151 W 34^th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Ave)

Saks Fifth Avenue (611 Fifth Ave, at 49^th St)

Tiffany & Co (727 Fifth Ave, between 56^th and 57^th St)

Carnegie Hall: Anne-Sophie Mutter – Mutter Virtuosi

December 17, 2014 / jasminel3 / 0 Comments

I loved the concept of Anne-Sophie Mutter’s foundation – to let young musicians build their fame in a nation that is increasingly less involved in classical music. While the students were playing, I imagined how amazing it was to have Anne-Sophie Mutter be their mentor, and whether they were intimidated or moved by her – or both! (I would be) She has a lot of influence in the classical music world, and making her students play her husband’s pieces (the second set of songs) was very clever. Most people didn’t enjoy it, especially with the harpsichord having such a long and quiet solo. To be honest, I did enjoy his music. But the harpsichord was the only part that I didn’t enjoy. They should have put a microphone so that the harpsichord would be louder, especially for people who sat in the back. It was also such a random insertion between the otherwise loud and complex intermingling of instruments.

I enjoyed the “Four Seasons” by Vivaldi part the most, because it’s a classic but still manages to touch and fascinate so many people. It was wise of them to save it for the end. I usually hear “Spring” the most, and though it may be a little overplayed, its value is not diminished. I gravitated toward “Summer” this time. I also thought it was hilarious how the conductor and some musicians walked in an out through the doors on the left a lot of times. I don’t usually go to musical performances, so it was funny how long we had to applaud for.

I enjoyed most of the performances, and found a likable aspect in each piece. As a very occasional listener of classical music, it was refreshing to see how different each piece can sound but still be classified in a genre as diverse and almost forgotten as classical music.

Roger Shimomura, American vs. Disney Stereotypes

December 17, 2014 / jasminel3 / 0 Comments

In this acrylic on canvas painting, I loved how Shimomura stood out among all the Disney characters surrounding him. Oddly though, the painting’s colorful clutter conveyed an image of horror. The sharp, 2-dimensional contrasts of the cartoon characters against Shimomura’s horrified expression and body posture shows that he believes Disney stereotypes are suffocating.

As I looked closer, Shimomura is the only 3-dimensional object in this painting. This shows him in a more realistic light than the cartoons. The cartoons are seemingly innocent when looked at separately, but together, they are closing in on Shimomura. Shimomura is trying to illustrate that each Disney character contains its own stereotypes against a certain race, and they are all haunting and hurtful. The attacks on race and ethnicity are especially relevant to Shimomura because he spent two years in an internment camp for Japanese Americans during WWII.

The paintings include Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, who has a green skin color, and is wearing an Indian headdress. Donald Duck is wearing a Chinese straw hat. It also includes characters like Bugs Bunny, Popeye, and the three little pigs. Shimomura incorporates traditional Japanese Ukiyo theater performers too. A female Ukiyo performer is painted bright yellow, probably as it is portrayed in American shows, which mocks Asian skin tones.

As an Asian-American myself, I have never noticed stereotypes when I watched Disney shows as a child. However, when I started growing up, I did question whether they told children subliminal racist messages or confirmed them to older audiences. Shimomura is aware of the danger of these stereotypes in Disney productions, and transfers these feelings of dismay and dissatisfaction onto canvas.

The painting is quite similar to another one of Shimomura’s paintings called “An American Knockoff.” In the painting, he is punching into the air with a myriad of Disney cartoon characters behind him, all of which are wincing or show a hurt expression. This is Shimomura’s show of empowerment and his fight against American stereotypes in children’s media. As he says himself, the works are his “attempt to ameliorate the outrage of the misconceptions.”

Open Mic

December 17, 2014 / jasminel3 / 0 Comments

I never thought of Brooklyn College as a school for the arts. In fact, I didn’t know much about its students at all. Open Mic showed a side of Brooklyn College that I wouldn’t normally see while walking around the campus – that these students were so rich in the humanities – so poetic, so profound, and so talented!

I enjoyed all of the singing performances because each one showcased a different genre, with the singer putting their own touch and spin on the song. Some were familiar, while others were refreshing and introduced me to new songs. I was even more impressed by the original songs. One of the singers was rocking his long hair, and a few others put their whole body into the song too. It sometimes worries me when people shake their head too much while singing (like Taylor Swift does) because I heard it makes you lose brain cells. It does, however, make the song more interesting… Is that a reasonable trade-off?

Two performances were my favorite. The first was the girl who had a very smoky voice, who played on the guitar while she sang. Her voice was angelic and it matched her genre so well. Even though the song and style was characteristic of that genre, I enjoyed it nonetheless. I really enjoy that soft, mellow music sometimes. It sounds very calming, innocent, and sympathetic. Also, I really liked her outfit.

The second was the young man who performed his original poem using a dance. It was called “Robocop.” Especially with the recent protests about police and racism, it was scary to see that police can be programmed to harm certain people. He compared the government to a conspiracy who was out to kill people with dark skin color, which is extreme, but I can definitely see why some people would relate to that perspective.

Thank you, Professor Natov, for organizing this event and showcasing a different side of Brooklyn College.

What It’s Like Eating with my Grandma

December 4, 2014 / jasminel3 / 0 Comments

Robert Mapplethorpe

November 6, 2014 / jasminel3 / 0 Comments

Robert Mapplethorpe

Above is the Powerpoint I presented for Robert Mapplethorpe, along with little notes in the description boxes for some slides.

it includes: Pictures of their stay at Chelsea Hotel, samples of Mapplethorpe’s work and his controversy involving his fascination with sadomasochism.

it is impossible to talk about the greatness of both Patti and Robert without mentioning the mutual influence they had on each others’ characters and careers.

Smith and Mapplethorpe started out as incidental friends, then lovers; and their relationship grew to something beyond and more intricate.

Patti was the one who pushed Mapplethorpe into photography, and when he picked it up, he focused on capturing a different standard of beauty at the time including female bodybuilders and explicit images of the human body.

Mapplethorpe founded the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation in 1988 to promote photography, support museums that exhibit photographic art, and to fund medical research in the fight against AIDS and HIV-related infection.

He later died in 1989 from AIDS.

Patti promised Mapplethorpe (the day before he died) that she would write a novel about their valuable relationship. 20 years later, here it is, in the form of “Just Kids.”

The Magic Flute: Voices

October 21, 2014 / jasminel3 / 0 Comments

I chose Soprano and Tenor at first for the Voices because I thought high voices were very characteristic of opera, which I had previously only seen on television. However, when I attended the live performance of The Magic Flute, I was intrigued by the bass voices because they seemed to make the whole auditorium vibrate. It was like time stopped! The three boys (the guiding spirits), the three ladies, the Queen of the Night, Pamina, and Tamino were Soprano (for the females) and tenor (for the males). A common aspect for these voices was harmonizing. A lot of the time, the boys’ voices would complement each other or someone else’s high voice to create a kind of balance and echoing. The repetition made the song verses last and brought them emphasis. The three ladies’ voices harmonized the most. Their songs were quick, which symbolized their curiosity and unanimity. There were practically one person split into three characters. Although I think the Queen of the Night did a great job, her song was not my favorite. I felt like she lacked some stamina, and especially because we sat at the back of the auditorium, it was a little harder to hear. Of course, I am also to blame because my expectation was high after watching the phenomenal performance with Professor Natov and Professor Minter the other day. My favorite voice was Pamina’s because it was effortless and the way it complemented Papageno’s lower voice was my favorite part of the entire opera. Because I was intrigued by the bass voices, my other favorite voice was Sarastro’s. He voice was so powerful, and even father-like, which was fitting for his role in the opera.

Valley of Astonishment: Staging

October 21, 2014 / jasminel3 / 0 Comments

The staging in Valley of Astonishment was very simple, which leaves much to the imagination and viewers’ perception. It featured 3 wooden chairs, a movable wooden table, and 1 coat hanger (all uncolored). The actors/actress used chairs as their props; for example, rocking the chair like a cradle. The staging sets the scene for many settings: a home, cognitive neuroscience office, theatre, and Sammy’s mind (with the imaginary blackboard), and John Kelly’s office. In John Kelly’s office, Kelly places his feet on the table to indicate informality and characterize him. In the Office of Cognitive Neuroscience, Sammy describes the pictures of brains and doctors’ nameplates, even though they are not all there. But since she is so descriptive, there is no need for fancy props or staging. The Dr.’s assistant knocked on the wooden table to signify knocking on a door. I loved the part where the table was the medical equipment, the brain scanner and how it produced the images of brain activity on paper. It was very clever. Synonymous with all the imaginary props, the brain scan helmet was imaginary. Exaggerated movements helped depict it. in the painting scene, the man used under the chairs as the paint dishes, and the broom stick as a different brush, and splattered fake paint into the air which was supposedly a large canvas. Sometimes the chairs are unimportant, and seem to “disappear” from our view because they are not being used, like during the John Kelly magic show. When John Kelly was moving through the stage (in the back near the audience), he hit his foot on a metal bar which was clever and humorous. During the magic show, the table had a black cloth. In the Finale, a single chair with the musician playing the Chinese flute really puts the emphasis on him and his simple but touching music.

Fall for Dance Reaction: Vuyani

October 21, 2014 / jasminel3 / 0 Comments

Although I first had some doubts about the Vuyani performance, it later became my favorite dance out of the four at Fall for Dance. I was afraid that it would be typical African tribal dancing, because I have seen much of that on television and at festivals. However, I was very surprised at the diversity and the outside influences that the choreography also captured; additionally, the dance came with an elegant combination of those influences with still a distinctly African tribal feel. Professor Natov mentioned that the choreography had elements of earth and air in it, which I couldn’t picture at first. After seeing the performance, I understood that concept completely. The balance between strength and smoothness was my favorite part of the Vuyani performance.

One of the dancers was shaking his hand to resemble a snake, matching the music. There were hard, loud beats on drums. It was interesting that a woman played the drugs because I know that it requires a lot of stamina. Elements of air and earth were featured in the performance; earth in the strong stance, air in the exaggerated arm and leg movements. It reminded me of Avatar the Last Airbender, which is a compliment. The white satin costumes really emphasized the “air” element. Sometimes, the dancers grabbed the flaps near their waists and waved them around. There is hardly anything subtle in the choreography. A lot of it was large, exaggerated movements that still flowed very well. Only very rarely were movements subtle, such as quick footwork or small stomps. In the first song, the first half was performed as a group/collaborative. The second half was mostly solo with dancers in the background bopping their knees and popping their bodies. One of my favorite aspects of the dance was the powerful “POP” in their bodies, which sometimes even resembled heartbeats along with the music. At the end of the performance, the lead dancer moved very quickly and violently (yet also with distinct organization and structure) to the ferocious music. I was actually scared that the dancer might accidentally pop a joint. The first song reminded me of a jungle, more traditional and tribal. The second song was a love story that started out timidly but then bloomed wildly and flourished. The man and woman were always in sync. The woman did more leaps, the man supported her; maybe it represents the family roles. I liked how all the dancers had almost identical physical appearances. It made me focus less on the gender and more on the cultural aspects of the dance. Some choreography reminded me of kung fu and traditional Chinese dances. The dancers mostly had non-expressive faces, but were sometimes smiling. The instruments included African drums, maracas, and a coffee bean shaker. I also LOVED the voices that sounded like calls and was in an African language!