Teju Cole – due 11.29

Teju Cole wrote a very interesting article about Raghubir Singh’s photography of a realistic view of India. He made some points that I found myself thinking about a lot, especially in connecting his ideas to my “previous prejudice” of the opera compared to my opinions after the experience. Personally, I have always been interested in being able to attend an opera and get that experience. My “previous prejudice” towards opera was that I did have the idea that it was an activity aimed more towards the upper class. You often see media portray operas with those in attendance looking very well dressed in elegant gowns and suits and often older and usually white people. Operas also seemed to be events attended by highly educated people since so many originate from different countries in different languages. For a lot of people, especially young generations, operas have this reputation of being boring and old-fashioned and I honestly don’t really see where the strong idea that they’re boring came from because I was always intrigued by them. I feel that this might be because of my background with singing and love for theatre so operas are a point of interest for me. People go through extensive training to sing operas and these singers can really create magic on the stage. So, although I had these ideas of how exclusive and particular operas could be, I also had an idea of how entertaining and a cultural experience it could be so I always leaned more toward aiming to attend them throughout my life.

I wasn’t able to take photos at the opera but walking into Lincoln Center I saw my previous prejudices had some things that seemed correct and others that were off. The people, for the most part, were more Caucasian but attire varied. There was a wide variety of outfits that ranged from quite formal to casual jeans but I noticed that it seemed to vary based on seats. Those in the orchestra seats closer to the stage seemed more formally dressed than the people in the mezzanines. As the opera got underway, my idea that it would be magical didn’t pan out very much. I understood virtually none of the words because all the enunciation got mushed up in the singing. When my friend, who is also an opera singer, performs her pieces the words are usually more distinct and easy to make out but this could also have to do with the language being sung in. For some reason, English always sounds the most jumbled up. Regardless, I found myself to be a little bored though I tried to stay with the story the most I could while I noticed that some around me had just checked out. This brings me back to whether my previous notion that the opera was magical and gripped the viewer may not be entirely true and I would like to see more operas to figure it out. There’s a possibility that it may be easier to get enthralled into more popular operas like The Magic Flute or Carmen which already have a certain magnetism to them because they’ve been around for a while.

So, as I reflect on my experience with the opera and my thoughts on the reading, I think about whether Cusco is being too strict about having photos represent life in its most realistic way and not in a “previous prejudice” that is rarely seen. Although some of those instances of the festivals and dramatic landscapes being captured are rare to experience in real life, that doesn’t mean they can’t occur at all. Even though I couldn’t understand all that was being sung in the opera, there were moments where the line did land or the singer went for their big notes and those moments gave me the chills I had entered the opera expecting to get. There should certainly be a balance of what is represented but being able to weed out those breathtaking instances, whether from a photo of a place/culture or during an opera performances are what give the experiences their authenticity

Unfortunately, I was not able to make it to The Exterminating Angel, but I was able to see the exhibit Modernism on the Ganges by Raghubir Singh and I do see the points that Teju Cole made in his essay. When looking at some of McCurry’s more notable photographs they seem fraudulent and more like artwork. I don’t see life when looking at them. I see a still frame with poses not conveying any natural emotions. McCurry’s photographs, although beautiful, feel too forced. Cole is right, Singh’s photographs “[draw] a breathtaking coherence out of the chaos of the everyday.” Sing’s work is more insightful and encapsulates reality because reality is not all glam and artsy. I don’t mean to be critiquing McMurray’s work and deciding it to be inferior to Singh’s work because it is a stylistic approach. But, I, much like Cole, prefer a more lively picture that evokes emotion. I don’t find myself as infatuated with the picture of the Afghan girl that McCurry took as I am with something like Singh’s Subhas Chandra Bose Statue. Singh’s photograph brings out the hectic nature of the city he’s photographing. Singh’s photo may not be aesthetically pleasing but it is far more interesting. Comparison of the two could best be described like this: compare the paintings of the coalition war where forces were glorified to the works found in the twentieth century like Guernica depicting the horrors of the Spanish Civil War. There is a complete change in feel. From proud and dignified to grotesque and blood curdling. Singh’s work isn’t grotesque, but it is a different way to depict people and life that in my opinion is better suited for such a task. Singh’s photographs seem more truthful and honest to the day to day life of the people he captures; not withholding any details that might bother the viewed or detract from the photos beauty. Singh’s photos are dedicated to every aspect of life that appear in front of him.

When I first began watching Carmen, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it because I’ve never seen an opera before. However, once I was five minutes into it I realized that I was actually really enjoying it. I really admired how effortless and casual the cast made everything look, even though every stage movement is planned and choreographed. I think the reason why I really enjoyed seeing all the stage movements was because it reminded me of when I used to dance. My dance teacher always told us that our transitions had to be smooth and look effortless, but we actually spent days rehearsing them. I was also hesitant how I would feel about many people singing the same thing at once, especially when they lyrics are about everyday things. The first time I saw this was when a group of kids sang about the soldiers coming into town. I got really happy seeing the kids sing and dance because they showed so much talent at such a young age. I ended up not really pay attention to the fact that it’s not normal to sing and dance in unison. I also enjoyed seeing and hearing the factory girls come out and sing in unison. The reason why I enjoyed it was because, once again, they made it seem so effortless and casual that it just seemed normal. Eventually, the singing did get harder to follow because the actors were stretching out words that really didn’t have any special meaning to the sentence. Despite the singing getting a little boring, I did enjoy Carmen overall and I really respect the actors for making their work so effortless.

The two images I chose show two of Singh’s elements: human presence and capacious content. The first image show both of these elements. The wide picture shows the spacious relationship between the two characters. The characters in the background also show the element of human presence. Singh liked to take pictures that showed everyday moments that are not necessarily especial. The men in the background having casual talk shows this type of moment as well. The second image shows human presence. This picture was taken after the factory girls got out of work. While the men were singing to them, the girls proceeded to do things that one normally does after getting out of work, like yawn.

 

Pre Opera:                                                             Post Opera:

            

 

My initial interpretation of the Opera was that it was a very formal event. The grandiose theater, suit jackets and flowing gowns created strict social expectations, in my mind. Expectations of formality and “sophisticated thinking” that suited an older generation.  Everyone should be very respectful and conservative. I imagined it less as a social event, but more of a solitary viewing. I thought that everyone would want to keep to themselves and just appreciate the performance.

I also had a preconceived notion of the performance itself. I was expecting the opera to be almost completely singing, and although the words would certainly tell a story, I did not anticipate the amount of acting and story telling that occurred. Personally, I think the story of the opera is a good way to draw in an audience who may not be solely concentrated on the vocal skills. Still, the opera is still target at a very specific audience.

Upon experiencing the opera, many of my previous thoughts remained to be true. Many of the viewers were indeed older and white. As a group of 20 teenagers, I definitely felt out of place. Additionally, it was definitely a strict environment. At the start of the performance, a man aggressively shushed us. Although it is our responsibility to be quiet, the man could’ve been much more polite as the play was only just about to begin. This confirmed my belief that those who go to the opera are

Although some of my previous thoughts were confirmed, some aspects of the opera were unexpected. I was personally surprised by the laughter of the audience. This broke the strict setting, and silent watching.

Overall, many of my previous thoughts were confirmed. The opera attracts a very specific audience. I would’ve appreciated it more if I knew the effort that went into the production. For example, I appreciate orchestras more because I play the violin and I know the effort that goes into the ensemble.

My picture after watching the opera represents Singh’s photography because the empty stage shows “a potential space for people not yet in the picture” (Teju Cole). I tried not to capture anything that would suggest a bias, or illicit a certain feeling. My picture was meant to show something clear and avoid a previous prejudice.

Before watching the “Exterminating Angel” I figured the opera would be filled with people of this nature. Older Caucasians who brought binocular along with them to view a play much too far away. A group of people annoyed from the start with new attendees that didn’t quite understand what was about to ensue.   As we walked into the very crowded theater and took our seats, I noticed the crowd. Around us were middle-aged and elderly people, all of whom were white. I spotted literally no people of color. There were quite murmurs filling the theater as we waited for the show to begin. And our fellow opera attendees, sat with their binoculars pressed up against their faces gazing down at the stage. Personally, I don’t understand the appeal. Not to a watching a show so far away. But all that aside waited patiently to see a show I figured would be uninteresting, difficult to understand and in no way relatable to my life.

I know we weren’t supposed to take photos during the opera but I thought this was a keep part of my experience that I hadn’t expected. I didn’t intend to be reading the entirety of the opera because it was in English. But it was not comprehensible. The singing was so drawn out I couldn’t understand anything any of the characters were saying. And at our distance, much f the time I couldn’t notice who was speaking because the spotlight wasn’t strong enough. I thought it as cluttered, and strange. And quite frankly uninteresting to me. In reading the essay it is obvious that Singh’s work is not only amazing and breathtaking, but it is inspired. I struggled to find his work as a representation of my opinions of the opera because my prejudices were justified and my photos were uninspired by the opera itself. I found myself, through most of the performance, reading not watching the extremely complex show. Not only could I not follow the dialogue but when I did look up, I was confused by green hand holographs, weird dancing insect-esque people, bears, and sheep. In summation, the opera was just not my thing.

 

When I looked at the syllabus to see that we were going to the opera, the first thing I was told by my friend was that I needed to dress up and look nice because everyone looks nice at the opera. She wasn’t wrong. As soon as I stepped foot into the theater, everyone was dressed as if we were back in the 1900s and it was time for high tea. This was one of the many preconceived notions I had about the opera before I walked in. I figured, just as many others did, that the opera was full of pompous, well off white people that came in suits and brought binoculars. There was a vast difference between the people that usually attend and the Macaulay students that were there. I distinctly remember getting a few looks from the staff, questioning as if I was lost and wasn’t meant to be there. I didn’t think I was going to enjoy this experience at all. When we were all seated though, the opera house shed a bit of a different light on some of my previous notions.

Yes, a majority of the people that attended were well dressed, pompous white people, but sitting in the dark with everyone just watching the stage seemed to make those differences fade. I’ll be honest and say I didn’t understand the performance at all and the singing of regular conversation was giving me a headache, but it was nice to see that everyone faded into one group. We weren’t separated by socio-economic class or race or age, we were all just there trying to figure out why there was sheep and why the butler had to drop the ragout. While it was nice to see everyone come together to watch this performance, I don’t see myself attending another opera, mainly because I felt extremely out of place. After the show, a few of my previous notions changed, but one important notion that I think stuck with me as soon as I set foot into the place was that I was an outsider. Everyone had come prepared with binoculars and coat check was selling cushions and I had no clue what was going on. I think watching a performance at the opera is an eye-opening experience to see what it’s like, but I feel like unless you are brought up visiting the opera, it’s a little harder to get used to.

The Opera was always, in my mind something that older, rich, “cultured” people did to pass time, just because they could. It was often portrayed in the media as some very white people in Viking costumes singing words that made no sense.  It isn’t necessarily a popular pastime of people in the present, partly because it’s an expensive venture to the theater, and partly because of this portrayal of an outdated, boring experience.  My previous, and very limited knowledge of the opera derived from dumb kid’s cartoons where a bunch of boring adults sat and listened to someone sing in some ridiculous costume, and Marie Antoinette (Sophia Coppola’s 2004 film).  Again, not unlike many others in my generation, the opera seemed like a boring thing for old people to do, and as a result, I was not particularly looking forward to sitting for 3+ hours for the opera.  Teju Cole brings up a similar point, where often times, what is shown to the public aligns with a general notion about something, whether it’s the charm of an old Indian village, or the opera, but this image doesn’t always necessarily portray the reality.

In the past, I’ve been to Lincoln Center for many ballets with my grandmother, which I enjoyed a lot, particularly because I appreciated the talent and technique and refined dance abilities due to my own dance background. This gave me high hopes for the opera, despite my expectations.  I knew that going to this theater was a big deal, so I thought, “How bad could it be?”

Upon arrival, the crowd consisted of mostly of well-dressed, older people, and our class. There were some younger people, children, and middle aged people, but it was still predominantly elderly attendees. This only confirmed what I previously thought about the opera. Before the opera actually began, there was a strange presentation with sheep and handlers as people were still being seated, which again, only added to my lack of excitement and confusion towards opera.

Once it began, the first surprising thing was that it was in English.  It became clear that the opera has changed, and though it is still very much a facet of European culture, it cemented itself in America.  There were no ridiculous costumes (other than the bear costume), and though the opera isn’t my new favorite thing to do, it wasn’t exactly like what I thought it was based on the media.

Another part of my opera experience that changed my perspective was that I  went with peers, as opposed to by myself, or with older people as a pastime.  The opera was still boring for me, and confusing, and I didn’t particularly enjoy the singing, but I recognize it as a part of culture, and as a performance art form. However, despite this, it isn’t just the opera, it is also a memory that I share with my classmates, which makes the opera part of my experience. 

I’m not an avid theater-goer, but I have gone to my fair share of shows and musicals, along with assisting in all of the productions that took place throughout my four years of high school. But I have never been to an opera. In my mind I imagined some woman singing really loudly in Italian, and maybe she would have a fellow actor on stage, but that was not at all what happened.

In addition to the woman singing loudly (to perhaps a bunch of old people) in Italian, I had always imagined people with gold binoculars with the little sticks on the end and speaking in a really posh voice. I was not entirely let down. As I was looking around, I noticed a man in the row in front of mine already using the binoculars he had brought for the show!

I took this picture because I liked the aspect of candidness that were in almost all of Singh’s photographs. I don’t know if the subjects knew they were being taken pictures of and then they continued with their lives, or if Singh simply took the pictures, but most of them seemed to show the subjects of his pictures doing things as they were, much like how this man was simply getting ready for the show.

This is a picture describes what I actually saw at the opera. There were so many things that I did not know were actually a part of the opera. For example, there was an orchestra, many more actors than I had anticipated, and an actual a storyline behind the entire show. It was certainly not what I was expecting, considering the fact that there were sheep and a “bear”, but I found that I actually enjoyed some aspects of the opera. The plot seemed to be interesting, and the orchestra was phenomenal. However, I did not like how every single word was sung, because it made things hard to understand, and switching between the subtitles (although they were much appreciated) and actually watching the show made the show confusing and difficult to keep track of who was actually singing. In general, I enjoyed my time there, but I do not think that I would watch another opera again.