This is a link to my open letter video project on youtube.
Author: sarahumstadt99
Teju Cole Blog Post
In his essay. Cole explains how Singh’s photographs represents photos without a prejudice, and truly show life in its purest form. In some of his photos, especially “Television Set” and “Village Bus Stop”, he focuses on something physically close to him, while simultaneously making sure that, although not the main focus, the background is not completely lost. I used these photos as inspiration for my second photo, where I focused on the subtitles but allowed the stage in the background to still play a part in the photo. My first photo represents my prior prejudices toward the opera, because I tried to show the way that I saw opera goers. I imagined very high class people, who truly knew what the opera was all about, and could engage in very academic conversations about the show. I also had the prior prejudice that the opera would not cater to people who did not understand it, or had a difficult tie following what are usually very complicated stories. My second photo represents my actual experience, where I realized that the Metropolitan Opera wanted everyone to be able to understand what is being portrayed on stage, and to have the best experience possible without losing any part of the show do to misunderstanding or confusion. I felt that by providing subtitles, the opera became more accessible to those who could not engage in academic discussions about the opera, and needed some assistance in fully understanding it.
Despite the fact that I came to discover that the Opera is much more accessible than I had originally thought, I still did not particularly enjoy the show. I did understand it, and I grasped the meaning behind it, but I did not like the fact that I was watching something in English and I still had to read English subtitles to understand what they were saying. I also thought that there was too much happening at one time during the show. I would attend another opera because I do want to enjoy it, however, I did not enjoy The Exterminating Angel.
Open Letter to Broadway
Dear Financial Employees of Broadway,
As a frequent playgoer and avid Broadway fan, I am writing on behalf of the larger community who find themselves unable to attend a show because of the exorbitant prices of tickets. The productions on your stages prove to be icons for all of New York City. They are world renowned and widely considered a must see or a must do within someone’s lifetime. It is truly a shame that the ticket prices have skyrocketed, because the amount of people who could benefit from the lessons and messages that soar off your stages is tremendous.
As for the endless benefits that seeing a Broadway production has, there are countless examples. Some include “On Your Feet”, which was the musical production of lives of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, and this show had tremendous value to the Latino community, the immigrant community, and it had an incredibly powerful political message as well. One of the most pivotal moments in the play was when Emilio and Gloria attempt to become cross over artists and end up being denied by their record label for being “too Latin.” At this moment, Emilio defies the record label, and explains his story of coming to America from Cuba. He explains that he is a citizen, and that he deserves every opportunity that he is willing to work toward; he says “look at my face, whether you know it or not, this is what an American looks like” (Dinelaris). This show brought the fact that immigrants are the one making America what it is today, and people who come from somewhere else but have made this country their home, are Americans and they have ambition, drive, and dedication. This show resonated with every person in the audience, and taught crucial lessons. Along with this, there are important messages in countless other productions. “Hamilton”, which tells the story of Alexander Hamilton in colonial America, tells the audience that through hard work, any goal can be achieved, no matter the obstacles. “Dear Evan Hansen” inspires adolescents to be who they truly are, and to never be afraid to stand up for what they believe in, and these are just some of the countless examples of incredibly profound stories across the Broadway stages today.
However, the price of tickets for these productions have skyrocketed to levels that are nearly completely unattainable for many people. Higher levels of attendance, combined with high levels of tourist and the ever-increasing cost of production of these magnificent events is contributing to the highest ticket prices that the city has seen in years. In fact, “theatergoers in New York forked over an average of $103.88 per ticket” (Ng), which is nearly six percent higher than the previous peak price. With prices this steep, how is it possible for people to see the shows that would inspire them, resonate with them, and foster a love for music and theater.
Since the theatre has so many values for almost every person with a desire to see a show, various options should be implemented so that Broadway can become more accessible. There number of rush tickets with student discount should be increased, since the prices of these tickets are slightly cheaper and people who live and work in Manhattan have a relatively easier time getting to the theatre during rush hours. An adult ticket should also come with the opportunity to bring one child under the age of twelve for free or highly reduced prices, so that younger people can attend shows that have pertinent messages and begin to develop a love and appreciation for music and theatre. Lastly, I believe that prices for ticket packages should be heavily reduced. Some of my most cherished high school memories were trips with the school band to see Broadway shows, however, this past school year they were unable to find a show with reasonable group ticket prices. Adolescents and students should have the most access to the lessons, messages and overall impact that a Broadway production has and one of the best ways to truly glean all of these is to attend a show with peers and educators. Group ticket prices should be lowered to facilitate the ability for more schools to attend the productions.
To conclude, the theatre that is up to the caliber of Broadway has endless value to every person who sees a show, but the sharp increase in average ticket price is making it nearly impossible for the general public to seethe shows that would give so much back to them. I believe that certain measures, such as lower group ticket rates, the addition of a free of reduced price child ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket, and an increase in morning rush tickets would increase the availability of the value of theatre to many more people. This would create endless benefits for every community inside and outside of New York City.
Sources:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-broadway-ticket-prices-20140610-story.html
https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/broadway-tickets-expensive/
Coco Fusco Blog Post
8 Second Observations:
Within the first eight seconds of observing this artwork, I immediately noticed the vibrant colors in contrast with the more run down looking buildings. The hotel is bright blue and the paint used to spell out the world “OUTRAGE” is bright purple, yet the house in the second picture and the last picture appear to be vacant and rundown. I also noticed the religious image on the wall of the house that’s for sale. The image seems to be very ornate, but the “for sale” sign shows the neglect and inability to sustain the home. Lastly, I noticed the women in her market, and the way that her business seems to be rundown as well.
10 Minute Observations:
After spending some time analyzing and observing this art, I noticed the fact that each image seemed to be showing the effect that the unstable economy has on the houses and businesses in Puerto Rico. The photos were all evocative in the way that they showed the abandonment of homes, the pleas and anger of the community’s inhabitants and the struggle that people re facing to keep their businesses going or to sell their homes. The plaque next to the images tells the viewer that the photographer wished to show that “for sale signs are ubiquitous, as are the signals of empty, abandoned homes.” (Miguel). These images are attempting to show people the devastating economic effects of funneling money into Puerto Rican tourism rather than residential towns, and the realities such as abandoned hotels, houses, and rundown businesses. In her essay, Coco Fusco mentions that art is perhaps the most effective didactic method when it comes to explaining the needs for justice, or to transform minds to realize the situations in various countries. This series of photographs is a perfect example of this. Sometimes it is difficult to explain just how rundown and abandoned a small neighborhood after the effects of economic crisis and neglect. The image of the word outrage painted on a fence has a much deeper emotional effect on its viewer than simply reading or listening to people lecture about the suffering in these communities. I think the artist was very specific and strategic in outing these images together. Each one shows a building, or a home that was obviously beautiful and inhabited at one point, but it now overgrown and abandoned. The Hotel in the bottom left image is a beautiful blue color, and the architecture is very traditional and stylistic, however there is an empty lot next to it, and its windows are now boarded up. This once beautiful building is now deteriorating, and the image evokes emotion and understanding in its viewer. The beautiful religious image on the side of a home that also has a very telling “for sale” sign on it also shows the way that previously beautiful family homes are empty and deteriorating as people can no longer afford to live in these neighborhoods. The power that all of these photos has on its viewer is a much more powerful didactic tool for showing the suffering that these small neighborhoods are facing due to the economic crisis in Puerto Rico, and prove Fusco’s point that art is the most effective way to teach the need for justice and change for neglected people and places.
Open Letter to Broadway
Dear Broadway,
An icon for all of New York City; your productions are world renowned and widely considered a must see or a must do within someone’s lifetime. Every person who sees a production benefits tremendously, and every show has something fit to relate to every type of audience. “On Your Feet” was the musical production of lives of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, and this show had tremendous value to the Latino community, the immigrant community, and it had an incredibly powerful political message as well. One of the most pivotal moments in the play was when Emilio and Gloria attempt to become cross over artists and end up being denied by their record label for being “too Latin.” At this moment, Emilio defies the record label, and explains his story of coming to America from Cuba. He explains that he is a citizen, and that he deserves every opportunity that he is willing to work toward; he says “look at my face, whether you know it or not, this is what an American looks like” (Dinelaris). This show brought the fact that immigrants are the one making America what it is today, and people who come from somewhere else but have made this country their home, are Americans and they have ambition, drive, and dedication. This show resonated with every person in the audience, and taught crucial lessons. Along with this, there are important messages in countless other productions. “Hamilton”, which tells the story of Alexander Hamilton in colonial America, tells the audience that through hard work, any goal can be achieved, no matter the obstacles. “Dear Evan Hansen” inspires adolescents to be who they truly are, and to never be afraid to stand up for what they believe in, and these are just some of the countless examples of incredibly profound stories across the Broadway stages today. However, the price of tickets for these productions have skyrocketed to levels that are nearly completely unattainable for many people. Higher levels of attendance, combined with high levels of tourist and the ever increasing cost of production of these magnificent events is contributing to the highest ticket prices that the city has seen in years. In fact, “theatergoers in New York forked over an average of $103.88 per ticket” (Ng), which is nearly six percent higher than the previous peak price. With prices this steep, how is it possible for people to see the shows that would inspire them, resonate with them, and foster a love for music and theater.
Since the theatre has so many values for almost every person with a desire to see a show, various options should be implemented so that Broadway can become more accessible. There number of rush tickets with student discount should be increased, since the prices of these tickets are slightly cheaper and people who live and work in Manhattan have a relatively easier time getting to the theatre during rush hours. An adult ticket should also come with the opportunity to bring one child under the age of twelve for free or highly reduced prices, so that younger people can attend shows that have pertinent messages and begin to develop a love and appreciation for music and theatre. Lastly, I believe that prices for ticket packages should be heavily reduced. Some of my most cherished high school memories were trips with the school band to see Broadway shows, however, this past school year they were unable to find a show with reasonable group ticket prices. Adolescents and students should have the most access to the lessons, messages and overall impact that a Broadway production has and one of the best ways to truly glean all of these is to attend a show with peers and educators. Group ticket prices should be lowered to facilitate the ability for more schools to attend the productions.
To conclude, the theatre that is up to the caliber of Broadway has endless value to every person who sees a show, but the sharp increase in average ticket price is making it nearly impossible for the general public to seethe shows that would give so much back to them. I believe that certain measures, such as lower group ticket rates, the addition of a free of reduced price child ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket, and an increase in morning rush tickets would increase the availability of the value of theatre to many more people.
Sources:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-broadway-ticket-prices-20140610-story.html
https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/broadway-tickets-expensive/
Midtown
I decided to do my video portrait on the new place that I am lucky enough to call home; Midtown Manhattan. I tried to capture the constant motion, hustle and bustle of the city, as well as its beauty.
Sarah Umstadt: Ode to the Sea
The Statue of Liberty is perhaps the most iconic monument in New York City. It is the beacon that welcomes people from far and wide to the city that never sleeps and here I was, looking directly at it. It was as if my future was laying before me in the form of high rise buildings, honking horns and the smell of halal food and opportunity.
Ever since I was a young girl, I have wanted nothing more than to live the rest of my life in this city. In the beginning of my senior year, the time came around for me to make the big college decision and I could not even think about attending a school in any other place besides New York. Finally, the dream was beginning to come true.
A few short months later and it was move in day at the New Yorker Hotel residence. My father drove myself, my sister and my mom from our little Long Island town, into the crazy hustle and bustle of the city. Before the chaos of attempting to fit all of my things into a tiny dorm began, my family and I made a quick stop to look out across New York Harbor and look at the same statue that welcomed my immigrant grandparents to the city; the city that was now welcoming me. It was a surreal moment for all of us, to think that I was about to start the defining moments of the rest of my life. It was also terrifying, slightly, because I was going to be on my own for the first time in my life and I was going to have to do everything for myself. I also had a new school, classes, and work to worry about on top of all of the other responsibilities. Yet, the statue somehow calmed me. Of course, everything was still unknown and I was about to have to do everything on my own, but the statue, the harbor and the city skyline somehow made me feel like everything was going to be okay. It reminded me of the fact that my grandparents came here truly on their own, not even able to speak English, and they made it. They were probably terrified too, but they saw the statue, and their future, ahead of them and they figured it all out. The statue reminded me that if they could, then I could.
From there, we headed to the hotel to set up my room, and it was one of the best days of my life. My parents and my sister headed back home, and I began the rest of my life. Although scary, it was exciting and I felt like I could do anything I dreamed of, and that I could achieve anything I set my mind to. I keep a photo of the statue by my bed, and it will always remind me of my grandparents and that I am in control; it promises me that I can anything that I want to.
