This course has been focused primarily on the appreciation of the different art forms in New York City through watching, looking at, and talking about them. It occurred to me recently that it was only with Professor Lipsey and the Gamelan percussion instruments that we actually actively engaged in the art that we have seen and appreciated. Not only did we see the fantastic Gamelan group perform, we got to play the instruments, get a feel for them, and get a sense of what playing Balinese Gamelan is all about. Don’t get me wrong; It is wonderful to look at, watch, and talk about art. That is the primary way to gain an appreciation for it. But I think that when we are able to actively engage in a particular art form that we are analyzing and appreciating, it gives us a whole different perspective on that art form. The Gamelan sounds and actions look and sound cool onstage. But when I was playing my xylophone (or whatever that Balinese instrument is called) during our class prelude to the performance, I felt something very different from when I was watching; maybe it was a sense of contributing to this unique and cool art form, or maybe it was simply working as a group to make the art. I’m not really sure. Either way, it seems likely that participating in art that we analyze (when possible) will help us gain an even better understanding and appreciation of that art form. Vision is one way to appreciate art; participating is a whole different ball game.