MHCH 1001 T3AH1
Fall 2015
Prof. Roni Natov
ITF: Jennifer Corby
Seminar: The Arts in New York City
This course explores the arts and cultural events in New York City. Each of the units–theater, opera, literature, music, and visual arts–is based on a performance or exhibition. We will observe the way stories are told through opera, theater, poetry, music, and visual art. Our activities will include engagement with art forms, including interpretation, analysis, and creative work. We will focus on the ways in which the work of art fulfills and departs from tradition and expectation. This class will focus not only on the pleasure of art experiences but on landscape and neighborhood and memory and tradition. We will explore the ways in which such themes as longing, passion and constraint, convention and taboo, identity and creativity are depicted in experimental ways in narrative, opera, music, dance, poetry, and the visual arts. The class will consider questions about the creation, enjoyment, and social function of art from the perspectives of maker, spectator, and critic.
You are also expected to participate in course-related events through Macaulay Honors College: Seminar 1 Technology Workshop: each student must attend one of these.
Snapshot NYC 2015 at the New York Historical Society.
There will be several short writing assignments, including “creative” writing, reviews, and a community arts project/presentation–culminating in a portfolio due at the end of the term of your best work (selected by you) of approximately 15 double-spaced pages. This class combines experiential learning and class discussion. Your attendance is required in class and for all outside events. All writing assignments must be completed and handed in on time.
This is your class, which means that the class will be shaped by your contributions, through discussion in class, through writings and presentations, and through the blog that we will develop together.
Objectives:
*understanding the works of art in their contexts;
*close, thoughtful reading of literary texts; viewing of visual arts, and responses to performing arts;
*creating an inclusive classroom, which means developing trust in oneself and other members of the class;
*developing an aesthetic, a consciousness of art from elite institutions to street art, community art, and found art;
*developing writing skills, creative and analytical.
Required Texts:
Art Is . . .
Smith, Patti. Just Kids.
Shakespeare’s Othello. Pelican edition.
Emile Zola’s Therese Raquin. Penguin.
Packet on feminism and the Guerilla Girls: from the New York Times and from
Freeland, Cynthia. But Is It Art?
DVD selections from: Pina and “The Moor’s Pavane” from Three Modern Dance
Classics by Jose Limon.
Community Arts Projects:
Community arts project: may be done in pairs, groups, or singly.
Select a neighborhood in New York City, e.g.: Williamsburg, Brighton Beach, Harlem, Borough Park, Chinatown, Soho, Astoria; and/or cultural community in New York City, e.g.: Cuban-American, Italian-American, Hasidic, Caribbean, Russian, Greek etc. Explore its relationship with and expression of art: its museums, performance arts, music, exhibits, rituals, and crafts. This may include food, fairs, parades, and other acts of creativity. Your report may take many forms, but must include a presentation and a written paper.
Previous community arts projects included: subway arts; Caribbean costume and step-dancing; Greek folk dance; Indian dances, food, and dress; orthodox Jewish ritual, music/food; Chinatown art; Soho street artists; Brighton Beach/Sheep head Bay Russian community; arts and the homeless; breakdancing; jazz culture in NYC; Staten Island architecture; Brooklyn visual artists; Williamsburg—the two cultures (hipsters and the Chasidim); Italian festival—photography and food, Catholic, Hindu, Moslem, and Jewish weddings: art and culture, Tibetan culture, particularly the art of mandala, and Fan Art.
Schedule of Class Readings, Activities and Events:
8/27: Introduction.
9/1: Art Is . . . projects.
9/3: Art Is . . .
9/8: Art Is . . .
9/9: Museum Night.
9/17: Visit to the High Line. We will go from class.
9/24: Discussion of Museum Night and Ways of Seeing dvd.
9/25: Othello.
9/29: Othello.
10/1: Otello lecture at Woody Tanger Auditorium, Library, first floor.
10/6: Watch Jose Limon’s “The Moor’s Pavane.”
10/6: Otello at the Met.
10/8: Visit from Noah Hoffeld, cellist.
10/13: Review of Otello. Begin Just Kids.
10/15: Just Kids.
10/20: Preparation for Jose Limon and watching Pina.
10/ 22: Jose Limon International Dance at the Joyce Theater.
10/22: Discussion of Jose Limon and Just Kids.
10/27: Just Kids.
10/29: Preparation for string quartet at Carnegie Hall.
10/29: Carnegie Hall. String quartet.
11/3: Therese Raquin.
11/3: Open Mic: 12:15-2:15. Woody Tanger Library.
11/5: Therese Raquin.
11/5: Therese Raquin at the Roundabout Theatre.
11/10: Therese Raquin.
11/12: Just Kids.
11/17: Just Kids and The Guerilla Girls articles.
11/19: Visit to artist’s studio: Yellin Artist Colony in Brooklyn.
11/24: Gender and female artists.
12/1: Presentation/performance of our own writing.
12/3, 12/8, 12/10: Community Arts projects.
Events:
9/9: Museum night. Brooklyn Museum.
10/6: Otello at the Metropolitan Opera.
9/17: High Line. We leave from class.
10/22: Jose Limon International Dance Co. at the Joyce Theater.
10/29: Carnegie Hall concert: 57th Street and 7th Avenue, NYC. 8 pm.
11/3: Open Mic at Brooklyn College: 12:15-2:00, Woody Tanger Auditorium, Library, first floor back.
11/5: Therese Raquin at the Roundabout Theatre.
11/19: Visit to Yellin Artist Colony in Brooklyn.
This is a unique class and a wonderful opportunity for all of us. I am so happy to share this with you.
I expect to meet with each of you individually at least once during the term, hopefully more often, in my office, 3416 Boylan, X5374. My email is rnatov@brooklyn.cuny.edu, and my office hours are:
Mondays 11-4:00; Tuesdays 10:00-10:45, 1:30-3:30; Thursdays 10:00-10:45, 12:30-3:30. There may be times when I have meetings that can’t be rescheduled so please check with me about setting specific times to meet. You are always welcome to stop in and to contact me.
