This post, being written only an hour after leaving the International Center of Photography, is my most vivid recanting of the messages I took from the more memorable moments in time so poetically hung on the walls.

On the first floor, I had a difficult time deciding which of the photos captured my attention the most. The first of two images that captured my mind’s eye is “Man Nude on Bed”. At first glance, one might flinch at open exposure of the gentlemen’s groin. I must admit, though, that after the initial shock and secondary curiosity, I was reminded of the well known paintings of nude women from 19th and 20th century artists. In a sense, the pose of the main subject is what draws crowds and warrants acclaim from critics. However, instead of jewels, fine silk bedding, or some divine statue ejecting water from a jug in its grasp, the man lay surrounded by unwashed clothes and had taken refuge not in a garden, but a room in disrepair. So what, then , draws crowds to see the particular work by the photographer Zoe Strauss?

As they are captured on film  and immortalized on canvas, the man and woman mentioned before strike similar poses. In context, one might think these two works a world apart. Nay, I say! The human self is static, no matter the time or place. But do not let physique fool you. No matter if the artist depicts the curves of an 18th century mistress or that of a 21st century man of basic means, the Strauss photo intrigues us, seduces us; the attraction of the photo, I believe, lies not in the sexual expose that is all too evident, but in the awakening of one’s memory. In taking careful time to observe the photograph, I was reminded of these 19th and 20th century artworks. No matter if one sees intrinsic value in the photograph I have just described, the artistic value rests in an artwork’s ability to inspire intrigue and engage its onlookers in an exploration of everything that were are reminded of when we arrive in front of this man’s image “Nude on Bed”.

To see the photo, click here: Man Nude on Bed, Las Vegas – Philadelphia Museum of Art

My roommate and I are always sharing neat videos with each other. A few evenings ago, he shared with me a video of a live performance where a “mind bending” choreographed routine was combine with computer graphics by a group named Bot and Dolly. Of course, I could interpret the show for you, but I’d be depriving you of a truly inspiring and jaw-dropping (for lack of a less generic phrase) experience. I can assure you that for some time after finishing the video, you’ll be asking yourself (and anyone who shared in viewing the show) how such a thing is possible. But as you are about to see, such an amazing display of talent, ingenuity, and sheer determination is more than possible… it’s been done.

Click here! Box

Or watch here (youtube):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IljuoA5QmmY

Wow, I know!

I think to say that I enjoyed my time at the Juilliard Jazz Quartet concert is an understatement! The venue itself was in and of itself spectacular, but the music made the evening all the better. The Jazz music genre is one I still know very little about, but I noticed that as the musicians worked their magic, understanding the moods and the sentiments being conveyed through the notes was a more relaxing and joyful exercise than one might assume.

Frank Kimbrough’s composition entitled “Kudzu” captured my attention. While listening, I did a bit of double tasking; I kept my body jiving to the nifty beat, but I kept my mind searching for how exactly to describe the sounds. I then remembered the Austin Powers movies and thought of the catch phrase “Groovy, baby!” I was so moved by the song, but my eyes did not water, nor did my lips quiver. It was as though the song had transported me to a time and place where life was just “groovy” and the urge to bogey and do the shuffle was insatiable. I loved this!

All the other songs were amazing in their own ways, and I will admit that I was both thrilled and overwhelmed by the ballad titled “Waltz for Gwen”; it moved me in ways I never though jazz could.

The song “Ah, Rio” also struck me. As we can all tell, the weather outside it cooling down, and so such a warm and inviting song was pleasing to me; the reassurance that music that – in addition to a snuggly sweater – music can warm the soul is a great comfort.

I had an amazing time on Tuesday evening. A night with good music and even better friends is something never to pass up. So this winter, as I hunker down and stay warm, I’ll know that my jazz playlists are there to stay.

Hi everyone! As you might have noticed, I was absent from class on Thursday. I did, however, find a piece of music that I believe is among the most beautiful I have ever heard. It may come as no surprise that my choice is a classical song written by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) and commissioned by Great Britain’s King George II for a royal celebration in recognizing the official end of the War of Austrian Succession. It was written as part of a large work titled “Music for the Royal Fireworks” and is played during the third movement titled “La Paix: Largo alla siciliana”.

The piece itself (as performed by the St. Petersburg Radio Symphony Orchestra) lasts a mere two minutes and ten seconds, but within this time, it is clear why this composition is undoubtably one of the greatest displays of beauty. However, “beauty” as a core aspect of what it means to see life in the most appealing light surely needs defining. My current definition of beauty is as follows:

Beauty is that essence in things seen, heard, and felt that makes one feel younger and more lively that their age or impediments demand of them. Something that is beautiful is not the sole form of beauty, but instead beauty morphs in as many ways as the mind will allow and has the power to attract someone, who in turn find its way to that beautiful thing with no hesitation or concern for their surroundings. (Circumstances, however, can dictate the manner in which beauty is attended to).

This composition may be seen in many lights, but in each one there lies something remarkably beautiful and deeply moving; an upheaval of sorts of the mundane buzz of the average day’s doings. Categorically, late night studying at the library is a far cry from a royal party, but listening to Handel’s “La Paix” has showed me that music that is beautiful does not have to be questioned (infatuation aside). To make a corny comparison, this composition is somewhat like ice cream in that the reasons for its wonder do not have to be questioned; one must only sit and experience the pure joy that comes with taking in its perfection.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE6Hdw2Lp50

My experience at the Brooklyn Museum was one I won’t soon forget. The amazing thing about Macaulay is that the events it plans for its students are ones that allow for amazing social and intellectual growth, and this was no exception. In the time leading up to our adventure touring the museum, I got to meet a number of students from different campuses and discuss with them, among other things, some of the highlights of the museum and what we hope to gain from the experience. When we split into groups, I had little difficulty finding students who were as eager as I was to begin observing the exhibits and sharing and discussing our on-the-spot perspectives.

Almost immediately, my group had a difficult time choosing a specific artwork to focus on for our recording, and only after our discussion came to a close on observing a peculiarly exquisite piece did we realize that its fluidity and natural delivery meant that we should have pressed the “record” button. We did, however, find a number of artworks to discuss with the recorder on. Yet again, we ran into another problem: we noticed that once our discussion got underway, someone always had an additional comment or observation to make, which usually sparked another wave of stimulating and exciting new ideas. (Curiosity is a sneaky and amazing tool, isn’t it).

Avarice, as was explained to me by my group members, means greed beyond measure for wealth and material possessions.

One piece in particular is a massive replica of the well known and widely studied Mayan calendar, titled Avarice. (An image of the piece accompanies this post). Of course this was not the original stone artifact, but instead it was one fashioned almost entirely out of corn kernels and other organic materials. Upon closer examination, we noticed that many of the details – some large and some nearly as small as a thimble! – were objects or symbols that only came into existence in the last hundred years (give or take a decade). The artist  featured many of the luxuries we take for granted, but also highlighted many of the social, political, and economic issues that our generation is now tasked with addressing head on. From this initial observation came one of the most exhilarating conversations of my recent academic career, and one that I am glad we recorded.

All in all, I am very happy that I had this experience and look forward to many like this one. If I ever come across incoming freshman students (including those enrolling in Macaulay) who have questions concerning how they should spend their free time or take advantage of what the city has to offer, I will be sure to mention that a few hours in the Brooklyn Museum is one of the greatest uses of one’s time.