The STEAM festival was definitely better than I expected. It was interesting to see how different all the Seminar 1 classes were. Our class focused on different themes in A Chorus of Stones and we all presented different collages that explained that theme. Everyone that came by our table was extremely impressed by how we were able to connect Robert Rauschenberg’s focus on collage in our analysis of the book. While our class did this, other classes from different campuses focused on self-expression, areas in NYC etc. An extremely thoughtful project that I saw was from City College, where the whole class created a book. Each week, the students would post pictures that answered a specific question or had a specific theme. At the end of the semester, they each picked the picture that represented themselves the most and put it in the book. It was interesting to see how different the pictures were, ranging from selfies to action shots and nature. I also thoroughly enjoyed the Makerspace in the lobby. Although my appointment time was short, I was able to make a pin. I felt like this was a nice addition to the festival, and something unique aside from the presentations. Additionally, each student received a little notebook to take notes and collect stamps. In order to get a stamp, the ITFs would ask questions based on the room that we were in It was nice to see how involved the ITFs were in asking questions. It showed how much they care and I was grateful for that. Overall, the STEAM festival was a nice way to get Macaulay students together and have a nice learning experience.
Author: Allison Wu
Turnadot – Lighting
Being able to see Turnadot at the Metropolitan Opera House is definitely one for the books. Even though we were sitting in the second to last row, the experience of being in such a beautiful place was surreal. From the moment I stepped into view of the Met, I was amazed at what was in front of me. The lights shining out of the unique windows of the opera made the opera house look so grand, accompanied by the beautiful fountain in front of it. Everyone around me was taking pictures and I could definitely see why. NYC is known for its beautiful buildings and the Met definitely adds to the wonders of this city.
During the opera, I focused on the lighting between the different acts. A total of three acts, there were two different setups on stage and each had very different lighting. In the first act, the stage was dark. The common people filled the stage and to exemplify their role during this time, it was almost impossible to see their faces with the dark lighting. It shows how insignificant they are compared to the other characters in this opera. In the second and last act, the stage displayed the beautiful palace. The stage was so bright that it actually hurt my eyes. There was a golden tone and it was so bright for the audience to clearly see Turnadot. Compared to the common people, Turnadot’s face was in the light and I was able to see her facial expressions. There was such a change in lighting to exemplify the different classes of people.
MOMA
Before our trip to MOMA, I’ve only been to this museum once. Both times, I did not get to walk around and explore the museum as a whole. Due to time constraints this time, the museum staff rushed us out, allowing us to only see specific pieces of Robert Rauschenberg’s work. Although I was not able to spend a lot of time with each piece, I was still able to grasp what Rauschenberg tried to convey. Each of his pieces contained everyday items that we throw out and see as garbage. However, Rauschenberg saw these items as pieces of art. He took multiple pieces and put them together to create a piece that no one could ever imagine, such as a goat with a tire around it. This piece that Rauschenberg put together is truly unique. How did he ever think to put a tire around a goat? Why did he think to paint the tire white? Why was the goat’s face splattered with paint? These questions that come to my mind have gone through Rauschenberg’s mind when creating this piece. He did not let the norm stop him. Instead, he used his art as a creative expression, shown clearly by the different unique pieces that is shown in the MOMA.
When Professor Natov asked us to find unordinary pieces that are beautiful around us, I was reminded of Rauschenberg. I used his artwork as an example to find pieces in our everyday life that is considered art. Art is not confined to just an artist’s painting or sculpture, but expands out to things like nature creating a piece of art by coating tree branches with snow. Such an ordinary thing on a winter day, but when looking at it, it’s beautiful. It’s easy to just walk by small pieces of art around us, but it’s important to stop once in a while and observe all the little things that can also be considered art.
Rubin Museum
I had absolutely no idea what to expect before entering the Rubin Museum. All I knew was that it was a small museum in NYC that I’ve never been to. However, Macaulay Seminar allowed me the opportunity to visit and have an unforgettable experience learning about how immense and complex sound can be.
Although I was not really excited for this trip, it turned out way better than I expected. Even though the museum itself isn’t visited by many or very well-known, the building is like no other. It is beautiful. From the glass windows outside, to the spiral staircase and the extravagant chandeliers that hung at the center of the café, I was taken back by its beauty. These things looked like they were just for decoration, but there are greater meanings behind them. For example, our tour guide explained to us that the round centerpiece on the first floor was created specifically for the Rubin’s spiral staircase and that it reflects sound as you travel up the staircase to the top floor of the six-story building. As I walked up the steps, I noticed the drone-like sounds that the centerpiece was able to make. Each floor had its own exhibition that was organized into a different theme. As we traveled throughout the museum, we were challenged by the tour guide to listen with our whole bodies. This was accompanied by all the interactive exhibits that the museum provided. One of the coolest parts of the museum was the ability to put our hands on a designated spot on the wall and be able to fully experience sound by stepping into the enclosed opening. Each of these had a different pitch and vibration for us to fully embrace the vastness of sound.
I have learned so much after exploring the Rubin Museum for just a little over an hour. The tour guide challenged us to listen with our whole bodies in the museum, but I hope to continue to do this in my daily life. Additionally, I would love to return to the museum to further explore the rest of what the Rubin has to offer.
Torch Song Venue
Torch Song was shown at the Second Stage Theater on West 43rd and 8th Ave. Only a block from the lights and traffic of Times Square, this venue was a perfect location for this production. Being close, yet not on the famous 42nd St. can be symbolic of the controversiality of not being straight in the 1970s and 1980s, the time period that the play was in. Coming out at that time was judged upon and unusual. Because of this, placing the Second Stage Theater on a side block, away from the crowds of Manhattan was probably unintentional, but quite symbolic.
Torch Song, being an off-Broadway show, was expected by the class to still be in a big theater and seen by a lot of people. However, Second Stage Theater was small and intimate; the perfect size for this play. It allowed us to be up close and clearly hear each actor’s lines, almost making us feel like we were part of the play. The venue was a little old, but had slight modern additions to it, including the café and the big lights that said Torch Song above the stage. Although this theater was unexpected, I thoroughly enjoyed the play in this venue.
Fall for Dance: Facial Expressions
The performance I watched at the Fall for Dance Festival was captivating and extremely impressive. This was my first dance show and I look forward to watching another one in the future. During the show, I focused on the dancers’ facial expressions from Miami City Ballet Company and Dorrance Dance Company. I found a surprising contrast between the expressions from the two companies, which contributed to the overall atmosphere of the performance. We were sitting a far distance from the stage, making it quite difficult to see each dancer’s exact facial expression.
The Miami City Ballet performance consisted of graceful movements from the female dancers. Despite their nimble movements, the females displayed a strict looking expression, which was highlighted through their high cheekbones and red lips. In comparison, the male dancers were more optimistic and lively through the smiles that they displayed on their face. This comparison between the female and male dancers in Miami City Ballet is extremely interesting. However, I am not sure if this applies to all female and male ballet dancers from different companies, as there is limited information online about this. From pictures that I have observed, males generally do have a more pleasant expression while dancing compared to females.
The Dorrance Dance Company consisted of both males and females that were all very energetic and lively. They made the atmosphere feel light and joyful. Every dancer had a smile plastered on their face throughout the performance, which contributed to the feelings that I was able to feel. Their smiles showed that they were really into the dance and enjoyed what they were doing. The smiles were not forced, but genuine smiles that displayed their passion for dance.
