On Friday, I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see the New American Wing. I remember going there before and liking it, but when I went to see the redone exhibit, I was amazed at how it turned out. It looked like a courtyard, with a fountain and sculptures, leading to two old-fashioned electric lights, leading down to some steps, leading down to a facade of what appears to be a mansion. Inside the "mansion", there were various rooms like those of the wealthy in the 18th and 19th centuries.

I thought the opera was okay. I was a bit dull, but then again, the story is supposed to be depressing, and the sets really showed that. The dominant color was drab gray, the most depressing color in my opinion. And the music was certainly more modern than what I'm used to in opera, when I see works such as die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute by Mozart) or der Fleidermaus (The Bat by Johann Strauss II) which have more old-fashioned music, that is, 18th and 19th century music.

I still do not really understand the concept behind the American Folk Art Museum. It is obvious that the art deals with folk art, however, I do not know the real definition of folk art. It was an unexpected visit. A group of us from the IDC class planned to make a trip to see the Tim Burton exhibit at the MOMA. However, we did not realize it was closed on Tuesdays. Next door happened to be the American Folk Art Museum, and when we look on our cultural passports, it happened to be first on the list. Most of the artwork reminded me of a Native American and prairie farm inspiration.

Let me start off by saying Lincoln Center is absolutely just gorgeous. Even though it was raining, the sight of the center was just amazing. It was like nothing i've ever seen before. The seats that were provided to us by Macaulay were also absolutely amazing to enhance our visit to the Opera. It was my first ever Opera and it was one to remember. I was told by a few of my classmates that the very own Meryl Streep was present in the Opera sitting in the 4th row. I didn't get to see her for myself though. The atmosphere in the Opera was just absolutely incredible.

      Meryl Streep's appearance at House of Dead did not prove to be the only thrill of the performance. Before I detail what I enjoyed, our class discussion helped me appreciate the Opera much more. Thank you, Professor Bergman! To begin, I thought the set was incredible. Arguably it was drab and captured the atmosphere of prison life, but the depth and color really inspired more in the performance.  I could see how the set had the essence of a Stalinist gulag, but I felt otherwise. The set resonated to me as a futuristic interpretation of a barrack.