Assignment #9- Concert

On October 19, 2010 at 7:30pm, I was able to experience the USC Symphony Orchestra at the Koger Center.  During this time I had the opportunity to hear the melodic music of Wendy Warner, one of the world's leading cellists.    Not only was I able to listen to her performance, but I was also able to experience a piece from the Symphony Orchestra by William Schuman and Robert Schumann.  This symphony celebrated 100 and 200 years of the composers' births and I was able to see the etiquette that was displayed through the conductor as well as those included in the symphony.  The orchestra sits in a semi-circular fashion on a proscenium stage and all face the conductor.  In this order, they are organized by the type of instrument they play.  The arrangement uses a form of rhythm and variety that allows for different instruments to play at different times and then eventually all come together.  This was a first time experience for me and I had no idea of what went into an orchestra.  During the performance with Wendy Warner, the cello seemed to be the main instrument through her 'solo' as well as the other cellists in the performance.  This showed emphasis and the focus on the instrument of the cello.  The mood of the art of the symphony was a variety of symphonic melodies that were soothing and calming as well as those that were more climatic.  Although I feel that this work of art was successful by the audience's reaction, it was definitely not one of my favorites.  I am more of a visual person and watching a performance that provided only an audio experience did not satisfy my enjoyment.  I do however, enjoy watching films that include symphony music.

Assignment #8- Play

Set in Longstreet Theater on November 14, 2010, Big Love is a play based on Aeschylus' Suppliant Women, which is one of the oldest recorded dramas.  This story is about 50 sister brides who leave their 50 brother grooms on the day of their wedding and flee for Italy.  The inclusion of music, lights, dance, and movement, the play Big Love allows for the ideas from Suppliant Women to become integrated in a more interesting way.  A theater-in-the-round, Longstreet Theater is provided an interesting way for the audience to experience the show.  The actors had to play to both sides, since the audience sits on both sides of the stage.  I really enjoyed this different type of stage because it allowed me to watch a play in a way that I had never done so before as well as see the reaction of other audience members.  This was especially enjoyable during the scenes that involved dancing and fighting.  Also, the simplicity of the set with the combination of the lights and sound provided the mood of each scene to be shown through the actors performance.  During this performance, it was easy to see what the director was trying to get across.  Taking one of the oldest dramas and connecting it with music that is both rock and opera inspired allowed for an enjoyable experience that was successful not only by the director, but also the actors and actresses.  This play also provided variety through the different types of music in combination with the dance and fighting scenes.  Balance and symmetry was also evident in the combination of the simple sets and costumes of the performers.  Having the opportunity to watch this play allowed for me to see the evolution of a play into a modern light as well as have an enjoyable experience while doing so. 

Assignment #7- Dance

Choreographed by William Starrett, "Dracula" was performed by the Columbia City Ballet October 28-30th, 2010.  Having the opportunity to attend the opening night of this extraordinary ballet, I was able to have an experience that qualified under a multitude of dances.  From contemporary to traditional ballet, "Dracula" definitely qualified the idea of 'ballet with a bite'.  This ballet also used modern music that connected an older story with a modern twist.  This aesthetic experience allowed me to look at ballet in a different light than I typically do.  Growing up in dance and ballet, I always watched dances and thought about the technique the dancers used and how they connected with the music.  During this ballet, I could actually feel and connect with the music as well as the dancers.  Also, the use of rhythm and "ripple" effects during the ballet provided balance and symmetry to take place in each dance.  Not only were the dancers involved in movement for majority of the ballet, but also the use of acting allowed the ballet to provide unity between the dancers.  The mood of this ballet was very dark and really got me in the mood for Halloween.  The effects that were used provided the ballet with a more "dark" image and also kept me on the edge of my seat at times.  Having the opportunity to see the connections made with the dancers as well as the music allowed me to have a successful experience while watching this ballet.  I feel as though this ballet was very successful on providing the elements of art and principles of design as well as providing an enjoyable experience for the audience that attended.

Assignment #10- Opera & Musical Theater

Set in Beijing, China during legendary times, Turandot is an opera that is dissected into three acts.  In an attempt to have Turandot wed, a Mandarin proposes that princes must answer her three riddles.  Many fail over the course of the opera.  One man tells Turandot that if she tells his name then he will die, in attempts to gain her love.  After a passionate kiss, the Prince reveals his name to Turandot as Calaf.  When the two approach the Emporer's throne, she admits to knowing his name, which she calls love.

Two operas by Mozart include "Don Giovanni", completed in 1787, and "The Magic Flute", completed in 1791.

An opera is a combination of musical accompanies which make up a story.  It include small conversations between each set of music.  A light opera, or operetta, may or may not include a story.  It is very light and sometimes humorous.  The music is happy.  Operettas may also "make fun" of the seriousness of a grand opera.

Assignment #12- Music

The time in this sheet of music is 4/4.  This mean that each measure gets four beats.  The solid green G, a quarter note, receives one beat.  When the green G is open, a half note, it receives two beats.  The space between one dark vertical line and another dark vertical line is called a measure.  The song shown, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, is shown in Treble Clef and is organized in measures for the musician.

Written by Sergei Prokofiev in 1936, "Peter and the Wolf" is a children's story that uses orchestral instruments.  I had never heard or seen Peter and the Wolf and found it very interesting when we were able to watch it in class.  Each character in this story is portrayed by a different musical instrument and theme.  Peter is played by strings in the orchestra and the wolf is played by the french horns.  Other instruments in this musical film include, the bassoon which is played as the Grandfather, the flute which is played as the bird, the duck is played by the oboe, as well as the hunters are played by the timpani.  I do not remember an alligator in the story, however the clarinet was used to play for the cat.  I felt as though this film was very interesting and the music allowed the story to provide a more dramatic appeal.  I would love to watch other versions to see the differences.

Assignment #11- Phantom of the Opera

Watching The Phantom of the Opera in class made me think about my childhood.  As weird as that seems, I danced a solo to the song The Phantom of the Opera when I was younger.  I loved being able to watch the film and listen to the music that it portrayed.  Seeing the ballerinas in the opera allowed me to have an aesthetic experience and think about the memories that I created through the music from this Opera as a child.  I have seen many musicals including Wicked and Mamma Mia.  Although Wicked is still my favorite Broadway musical, watching the Phantom of the Opera allowed me to notice the some of the art disciplines we have talked about in class including: dance, music, theater, film, and sculpture.

One of my favorite songs from The Phantom of the Opera is "Think of Me".  During this scene, Christine Daae is chosen to take over the leading role when Carlotta quits.  The scene shows her standing on stage when she first shows the new owners of the Opera that she is capable and then changes to her first performance in the Opera.  Also during this scene, Raoul sings back to Christine during the song.  Another scene that occurs during this song is when it shows the Phantom listening to her first performance. Following the song, Christine is taken by the Phantom while in her dressing room.  This song is very beautiful and the notes that she hits at the end of the song almost take your breath away.

Assignment #6- Theater

Shown in the diagram on Dr. Heid's blog is a Proscenium stage which includes an apron.  An apron is part of the stage that "juts" out into the audience, past the proscenium.  The diagram also shows many other parts such as the main curtain and border, the auditorium or seating area, and the off stage where the actors and actresses prepare for each scene.  It also labels many of the props as well as stage right and audience right.

1. Proscenium

2. Not Labeled.

3. Off Stage    

4. Main Curtain

5. Apron

6. Auditorium

7. Border

Pictured is the Proscenium arch stage.

Assignment #5- Dance

I feel as though people dance for many reasons.  Growing up dancing since I was two, I danced for enjoyment.  Social interactions, to exercise, to relieve stress, etc. are many reasons people partake in dancing.  I dance for the fun of it.  I love learning new steps and connecting with music.  Over the years, I danced with many of my friends and to exercise or stay in shape.  When I see someone dancing on a stage or floor, many ideas go through my mind.  Sometimes, thoughts go through my mind about wishing I could dance like others.  Although I was involved in ballet growing up, now I wish I could be as graceful and elegant as I move across the floor like ballerinas do.  My favorites types of dancing are shagging, jazz, and hip-hop.  Growing up, those types of dancing were my favorite.  I also enjoy tap and clogging as well.  I think that a dance is good if they dancer connects with the music and looks as though he/she is having a good time.  Dancing is one of my favorite things to do in my spare time and I really enjoy watching shows and others dance.

Assignment #4- Architecture and Film

Part 1- Architecture

As shown in the picture of McKissick Museum, the bottom of the building uses stack bonding.  This includes successive courses of stretchers with all head joints aligned vertically.  The top of the building, below the dome, shows a running bond.  This is when the stretchers overlap, also called a stretcher bond.  This building also includes many other elements of architecture.  The columns in this structure include elements from the Ionic Order.  The top where the column "curls" is called the Ionic Volute.  This building also includes a dome.  All of these elements combined make the McKissick Museum an fascinating structure to observe on the horseshoe at the University of South Carolina.


Part 2- Film

"The Girl Who Played with Fire" was a Swedish film that expressed many views of sexuality as well as violence.  I feel as though the director used these two ideas just for the sake of using them to create drama.  While watching the movie, it was very hard to keep up with what was going on as well as read the subtitles.  This created confusion as I tried to watch.  This movie also displayed many ideas of sexuality and violence that I do not agree with.  Through the sexual scenes, I became very uncomfortable.  I also feel as if I would have seen the movie that precedes this one, I would have had a better handle on what the movie was actually about.  The camera work and "close-up" shots allowed the scenes to be structured on a more detailed basis.  This provided the audience with a feeling of involvement in the scenes.  I did not enjoy this movie and wish that I would have had a better movie experience at the Nickelodeon.

Assignment #3- Art Criticism

Many of the artworks in the McMaster gallery are used with dark colors of many shades.  They all give an intense feeling, at least that's how I felt when looking at some of the artworks in the gallery.  The artworks express an edgy look that makes you think what each of the artists were trying to get across when creating the artwork.

When looking around the gallery, I was awestruck by the self portrait of Melissa Cook in a series named, "You Know Me Better Than I Know Myself: Removed But Still There".  Created in 2009, Melissa Cook used powered graphite on paper to express the "latent darkness and sexuality inside all of us".  Through her entire series, she includes self portraits while using different props and scenarios.  This particular piece is very large and uses many shades of the powdered graphite to create a dark look that expressed the darkness inside all of us.  The lines of her collar bones create tension and provide the piece with the intense feeling of darkness.  Also, the nose, eyes, and lips become a major focus of the piece as they are very large.  This piece gave me a feeling of helplessness and a need for some help.  I am not sure why I perceived this piece in this way.  I had a feeling of loneliness as well.  Through the description that was shown by the piece, the point of this was to show the darkness and sexuality that is in all of us.  The darkness expresses the loneliness as well as the possibility of scandal that I felt when looking at this piece.  I really enjoyed this piece.  I was completely drawn to it when walking into the gallery in McMaster.  I feel as though this piece expresses what many people feel inside.

Assignment #2- Aesthetics

1.  I feel as though aesthetics are the relationships or understandings we have of an experience.  This can occur by experiencing through our five senses.  Whether it be seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, or smelling, an aesthetic experience is one that has a deeper meaning.

2.  Extending fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration are a few aspects that combine to allow for creativity.  This can also be seen through synectics, S.C.A.M.P.E.R., and guided imagery.  Fluency is to generate many ideas.  This can be taken a step further with flexibility.  The ability to generate many ideas as well as see ideas from many different perspectives allows for flexibility.  When an idea is unusual or different it is seen as originality.  Also, by elaborating the ideas you can allow for extension to occur.  Combining all of these steps will allow for creativity to take place.

3.  Practical Experience: Laying down to sleep after a long day.  

     Aesthetic Experience: As I fall into bed after a long day of work and school, I lay my head down on a pillow that is as soft as a marshmallow.  When I pull the covers over my body, it's like being covered by the clouds as a drift away into a restful nights sleep.

Assignment #1- Biographical Statement

Hi!

My name is Lauren Kuykendall and I am a Senior Early Childhood Education major at USC!  I took ARTE 520 last semester and really enjoyed it!  In this class I was able to make some art using paint, cray pods, watercolors, etc.  I really enjoyed being able to create works of art that I will be able to use with my students in the classroom.  I also enjoy painting and drawing in my free time.  Through arts and crafts growing up, I have grown up enjoying painting, drawing, and being creative!  I have been to some art museums through traveling to different countries and places with my family.  Last January I had the opportunity to experience "Wicked" for a birthday present.  This is the only play that I have seen and I loved every minute of it!  On the topic of dance, I have been dancing since I was three years old.  Through tap, jazz, ballet, and hip hop, I have been able to experience many different types of dance as well as see dance performances by other dancers.  I learn the most when the topic is interesting to me.  I like to be actively involved in learning through experiences.  I am taking this class because it is a requirement for my major, but hope to see it as more than that.  When thinking of an experience when I have been moved, would take me back to the play "Wicked".  Experiencing a broadway play was a remarkable experience.  I am inspired when I enjoy what I am engaging in and have a purpose or a goal.  I think that movies, video games, and comics are works of art.  I would not be able to create or have a vision for many of the entertainment aspects that are involved in the process of making any of those items.  I think that just like beauty, good art is in the eye of the beholder.  Personally, I think that good art is a piece of work that explains the hard work and passion that the artist has put into it.  When debating good music with friends, I believe that good music is one that has a purpose and when the artist is passionate about the piece of work, just like art.  The best movie that I have seen recently would be "Inception".  It is a movie that really makes you think while watching it.  This makes the movie more enjoyable when you are trying to figure it out.  I think that an art film is a film that targets a specific audience while expressing the views of the director.  Also, I have many different types of music on my ipod.  From country to movie soundtracks, I enjoy almost any song that has a purpose and great lyrics!  I hope to explore these areas of art more deeply and get a better sense of many different types of art!