class

This week we covered so much in class that I can’t remember everything! I actually left both days with head hurting and wondering how I was going to get through this midterm alive. It was very interesting as we talked about art and how it has evolved over time. I cannot believe how well the colors are preserved in frescos and some of the other paintings that have been done. I have decided that I really like Picasso. I like the idea of painting a three dimensional object with a two dimensional view. His art makes a lot more sense when you know that fact. Most people think he was just some crazy guy who painted very weird things but this is an instance when knowing the background information on what he was painting and trying to portray helps a lot with your review of his art. I also liked going through sculpture this week too. That is something that I have always been interested in because my sister is really good at it and I suck at it. A lot of these artists were excellent with more than one medium as well. They could sculpt or paint and it was amazing either way. Even though these classes are completely full of information I still manage to learn something each time. I can’t wait till we get to music.

JAZZ NIGHT!!!

On Tuesday night I decided I would go and give the Muse a second chance. My first experience wasn’t very good but I like jazz and thought I would see what they got. I loved every second of it! They had a four man band there and they were great. They had a bass player, a guitarist, a drummer and a guy who could play the alto and tenor saxophones and the flute. I played the saxophone for eight years and I was very impressed with this guy. I was very impressed with the whole band actually. I will start with the band as a whole. Everything they played was sight read. This means that they just read the music for the first time and just went with the flow. It worked well though. They worked well together and everyone got their fair share of time to jam and play a solo or two. I asked the band how long they have been together and they said six months or so. We should really get a big group to go and support these guys. There was only about four of us in the audience. In between songs they would talk a bit and share some jokes. The atmosphere was fun and upbeat. We were encouraged to dance a bit too but I couldn’t bring myself to ask anyone so I just enjoyed the show. Ok, so the guy who played the saxophone was amazing! He had great tone and a great pair of lungs too. He was hitting the falsetto notes like they were any other note. He even sang to one of the songs. It was more of a joke but it was pretty good too. I give the Muse an eight on this one. The atmosphere was great and the music even better. For three bucks you definitely got your money’s worth and I will be going back soon.

The discussions in class have been great! I was a little surprised at the quiz on Wednesday but maybe we should expect that from now on. So after the stress of the quiz I was excited to continue our discussion on architecture. It all tied together nicely with the individual groups reviewing the book. That helped me so much and I think it helped everyone put the book in perspective and get a grasp on it concept. I really enjoyed watching all the buildings get blown up too. What other class gets to do that? I guess one that is studying how to blow up buildings but the point is not many. I was sad when we transitioned into art but I actually liked it. When we saw the paintings with the solid blocks of color I really felt different with everyone. I didn’t realize that colors could bring out such emotion in us. Artist must be really smart people if they are to know how their audience will react to a certain color or shape. I learned a lot today and a lot of information was thrown at us like always but it’s all valuable and I hope I can remember it all if there is a quiz Monday!

reading #2

The reading assignment for this week was a good one but I was confused through most of From Bauhaus to our House. I kept trying to put it down for a while then pick it back up and start again but it didn’t really help. What gave it some clarification was class on Wednesday. I really liked how we went through the whole book in groups and hit the main highlights. I did find it interesting though. I never thought that architecture was that big of a deal in the United States. I know that people build these huge, magnificent buildings but I think they go under appreciated most of the time. My favorite chapter was chapter five. I really liked how it started with the story of Edward Stone and how he changed his whole style because the woman he married didn’t like what he created now. Unfortunately it wasn’t received very well and his reputation diminished. I think that Ms. Stokes is right too that a better understanding of architecture and it history would help with understanding. I also enjoyed the chapter in our text book. It gave me a lot of new angles that I could use while evaluating art. Learning about the different colors and what they mean and stand for. The different Gods and Goddesses that are in them. All these things help us understand the painting better. So instead of looking at a painting or anything for that matter and saying that’s nice you can say that is so and so and this means that and the painting becomes real and you can relate to it better. The part that stood out the most to me was the part about mythical truth. I love how it talks about how the mythical is what keeps us creative and sane. It reminded me that too much of one thing can be bad even if it is good. While science and logic are good things too much is boring and will drive you crazy one day. Art is what keeps us sane and the use of fantasy and the unknown help that. I really loved the reading yet again and learned much from it.

On Monday night I went to The Muse for the film screening they hold there. When I first walked in I was a little nervous based on Ryan’s explanation of things. It turned out pretty good though with a very warm welcome. I thought the movie would start at ten so I got there about 9:50 but it was still open mic night. I like music and thought I might hear something good so I sat in on the last couple performances. I was very impressed with the last two performers. They both played the guitar and sang as well. I really liked the last guy though. He wrote his own music but used Shakespeare plays for lyrics. It was really good. Then I had to sit around for about thirty minutes. They took their time starting the movie which kind of frustrated me but I was just curious to see what movie they chose. The movie they played was called Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai. It was written and directed by Jim Jarmusch. The star of the move is Forest Whitaker. When I first heard the title I was curious and I had thoughts of The Last Samurai go through my head and got kind of excited. The movie starts with Ghost Dog (Whitaker) reading books about being a samurai. It was very interesting though because he was in the middle of a city and lived on top of a house where he enjoyed spending time with his pigeons. As the movie progressed I became more interested because Ghost Dog actually worked for the mob as one of their top hit men. When the job he is asked to do goes wrong the mob then targets Ghost Dog. To make a long story short, Ghost Dog eventually attacks the mob’s mansion and kills most of the people there. He spares the man who hires him and the daughter of the mob boss. Eventually the daughter ask Louie (the man who hires Ghost Dog) to confront Ghost Dog. This happens at Ghost Dog’s favorite ice cream stand where he allows Louie to kill him in front of his friends. As far as the movie goes I was really disappointed. You quickly realize it is rated R because they use the F word every two seconds in the movie and the violence is pretty graphic. The violence didn’t bother me as much as the foul language did. It was a very unnecessary addition that turned me off. I thought the acting was pretty good but really couldn’t get into it. I would rate this movie a four. It did have a decent story line and a good message but there were just too many unnecessary parts for me to really enjoy myself.

Don't Rain on My Parade!!!

This morning, I celebrated the Fourth of July by attending the Provo City Parade. Although the wait was pretty long, and we did get rained on a little bit – it was worth it. I had heard a lot about how the Provo Parade was pretty good compared to other parades in the state and it didn’t let me down. One of my favorite floats was the American flag float. The float sparkled in the gleaming sunshine, giving the effect that it was gently waving in the breeze. On the float, rode the current Miss Provo and her attendants – like six delicious cherries on top of a luscious strawberry sundae. Following the very attractive ladies, came two equally attractive old sport cars – one a gorgeous gold and the other succulent silver. I also enjoyed seeing several marching bands, the Provo missionaries, and different branches of the military. After the parade, I visited several of the booths and displays along University Avenue. I enjoyed seeing some Riverdancers and the works of various artists. My favorite display contained the work of a talented painter who specialized in portraits of the Salt Lake Temple and other temples as well. One painting in particular that caught my eye was that of the Salt Lake Temple in autumn, with the surrounding trees fully exhibiting the spectacular reds, oranges, and yellows of the season. There was also a community carnival which attracted many people. My favorite part was a six – year – old girl who was jumping from the stunt tower. Many people stopped to watch her jump. Overall, I would rate my experience at the Provo City Parade with 8 out of 10. Despite the nagging interruptions from the Jehovah's Witnesses, the brief rain showers and the contrasting heat of the morning, I enjoyed the community’s display of talent, art, and pride for our country. Not to mention – I was able to spend the holiday appropriately with excellent friends.

Chapters 14 and 17

I really enjoyed the reading of chapter fourteen in our book. I learned a lot of useful information that will help me as I go look at the different art. I really liked the story about the blind men attaching themselves to a different part of an elephant. They each described the part so differently but were all right. I notice this in class when we comment on certain paintings. Everyone tends to see something different but we are all right in the end. The other part of chapter fourteen that I liked was the section on the different lines. I never knew that the lines are there to make you feel or think a certain way. It makes sense though with all the symbolism that comes with a painting. My Favorite chapter for this reading was chapter seventeen though. I think I have found a subject I really like. The chapter is on architecture and I loved it. I liked how the book explained that a people’s class can be seen in the buildings they have made. The wealthier a civilization was the bigger and better their buildings. I also liked how they said that architecture is the art that we all have something to do with because we are always in a building. I never go into a building a look at how it was built though. I would assume most people don’t. The next time I go into a new building I will take a second to look around and appreciate what has been done. It also makes me wonder what new things a wait us in the future.