Even though I was not able to make the Kiss Me, Kate performance, watching this on the Internet was just as effective. I have been to a live theatre performance before and I feel like if I saw this live, rather than online, it would be much different than other performances that I have seen in theatres. Other performances that I have seen on broadway or just in a live theatre have been musicals not about a musical, unlike this one. I think that the musical-theatre genre is very interesting. I think it’s job is to engage their audience and bring them to think as if they are in the play with the actors and actresses. Some of my favorite musicals are Mama Mia, Legally Blonde, Rent, and Hairspray. I have seen all of these musicals on broadway, as well as in movie-form. In comparison to the Kiss Me, Kate! Production, these musicals are very different than it. The names seem more colonial in this play. I think this is the case because the performances I have seen are all very modern and have terms and uses that are incorporated into their plays that we use today. In Kiss Me, Kate, they talk about Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, and coming from Shakespeare, it is much less modern than the plays I have seen. I have not read or seen this piece by Shakespeare, but I would imagine it is similar to the language and terms used in Kiss Me Kate. Since I have never seen or read this work of Shakespeare, I had a little bit of a hard time getting the plot down at first. Their names used in this play are also a lot different than in the shows I have seen. Their names in this performance, such as Lippy and Slug are just two examples of how this supports my previous statement. In Mama Mia, more common names today such as Tracy, and in Rent such as Roger, are more similar to my life today. Especially with the strict language used, it was hard to understand and was a bit confusing at first. I adjusted to it later on though. My favorite parts of this performance was when Katharine sand the song “I Hate Men” because I thought the name for the song was amusing and it caught my attention the most. I personally think that this play would be strictly seen on my part for educational reasons. The performances that I have seen in the past are much more relatable to me than this was, but it is always good to get a change and see something that you would not usually be exposed to. I believe that the cast did a very good job in this show and are very talented for their hard work. Actors and Actresses in live performances are very brave and must have it very hard, learning to sign and memorize lines all together, I cannot imagine being in their position. Watching this performance live instead of the internet would definitely be much more amusing and eye-catching I think. Overall, this performance was greatly put together and I would hope that kids learn about it in the future.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Outside Reading 2
Last month, I attended a concert here at Penn State. The performer was Drake, who is the well-known rapper. This rapper is especially creative with his artistic ability. He is a great singer, as well as a great free-style artist. If one were to type into youtube the way Drake comes up with his songs and his talent, noone would be able to find that. He is creative and has the ability to take his talent to another level that noone else can. Drake is able to freestyle and say whatever he wants, to make up hi songs. The cool thing about rappers is that they can put any words together to make a sentence, and it doesn’t matter if noone else understands it because it is meaningful to them. This is how art is developed- by the use of creativity. The way he dresses is also a leading factor in his artistic ability to success. In specific, at the concert he performed at the Bryce Jordan Center, he was dressed in a cut-off Penn State hoodie. He knew that this would get his fans to go even crazier, and he was right. The crowd went nuts when they saw that he was representing our school. It is also very cool and interesting to say that a famous artist is wearing your school’s apparel. The lighting at this concert also contributed to how it related to art. I was fascinated by the way the stage crew narrowed in on Drake the entire performance. Since Drake is just one object displayed with a microphone in hand, he does not take up much space on the gigantic stage at the Bryce Jordan Center. The lighting helped to view Drake through another lens. It struck my attention whenever the bass was used in a song, the lights changed and flashed with the beat. Effects like this really can make or break a performance. If I was at this concert and the lights stayed the same for the entire time, I would be bored. This concert was played to the extreme and got the crowd going crazy. Yes you might say, “Well Penn State is always crazy no matter what concert.” This statement is quite true, however, since Drake is so well-known, having an artist as high up in popularity as him at our school, just over exceeds everything else. Finally, the songs that he picks to sing are artistic in the way that he comes up with the tunes himself, as well as the words and what it is going to be about. When you are a singer, it is up to you to make your fans happy with your songs that you write. Drake seems to impress his audience by using rhyming words and repetition a lot in his songs. The easier the song is to learn, the more his fans are going to enjoy his music. Artistic people know what their fans like, and that is how Drake became so famous. Also what I think is really creative is how Drake enlightens his fans by incorporating meaningfulness and normal everyday thoughts into his songs. These are the reasons why the Drake concert related to art.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Prompt #9: Self Evaluation
In English 15 this semester, I mainly learned a lot about art. Different aspects of art were demonstrated through definitions, papers, discussions, and much more. I learned that art doesn’t have to be a painting in a picture frame, a photograph taken of you on the beach, nor does it have to be a sculpture in a museum. Art can be anything that someone considers creativity. Art can also be man-made or naturally made.
I personally believe that my writing as improved throughout this semester. The descriptive and detailed papers I have written in this course have made me a stronger writer and most importantly, a better editor of my work. I enjoy writing a lot, and I think that this course has showed me how writing descriptively can be more entertaining to the reader and the writers themselves as well. I learned that Penn State coincidentally this semester especially, is a majorly thriving institution. We have been through a lot this half a year already at this school, and I think that everyone has contributed a lot of time and effort into helping the school retain it’s amazing reputation. Just because of everything that has gone on, I don’t think it will change major points of our school’s rep because of how high it has been built up already. Also, I think that our high-esteemed institution’s reputation for a party-school will get lessen as time goes on, which is not bad at all. Throughout this semester, I have also learned that poetry can consist of humor, romance, and all other emotions. It can be made up of short stores, or just short stanzas. Everyone has their own type of writing that they enjoy the most. My visit to the Palmer Museum was eventful because I don’t think that I would have been able to make it over to the museum if I did not have that journal prompt to write there, which is sad. I thought the museum was very beautiful and peaceful, and a great atmosphere for a writer to be surrounded in.
I have learned that the arts at Penn State can be considered a lot more than just the Blue Band at football games, or the paintings in the Palmer Museum on Curtain Road. The arts here at this university are so creative because it could be anything you want it to be. Art is any piece of entertainment we have at this school, which could be a list of things that is miles and miles long. I feel so connected to the arts at my school in general because I like to be creative and come up with new ideas and thoughts for different things all the time. I like when something is different and out of the ordinary as well. Unique and new ideas are always more entertaining, anyway.
As far as the course itself went, I feel like this was a very good class for me. The size was definitely a plus, and everything we learned was actually something that was going to be useful for my future, especially if I want to go into the writing field of some sort.
Outside Reading
A week and a half ago, I made my way to the Avicii concert, which took place inside the Bryce Jordan Center here at Penn State. Yes you might be thinking, well how was that art? This concert could not have been more of an artsfest then I thought it would be. Everywhere I looked was like a stream of bright colored lights sprouting from the center of the stage right in front of my eyes. The beats and the rhythm combined with the lights had an empowering quality over the audience, allowing them to fully feel the music. People in the stands on the sides were jumping up and down, shooting their hands up in the air, waving them all around. In the middle of the floor, as I looked up, all I could see were thousands of hands and faces with mouths wide open screaming to the music. It was as if my whole surroundings were going in slow motion around me, and all I could hear was the music, and nobody else- that is how loud the music was. This huge environment filled with entertainment was created by the students themselves. Looking around the Bryce Jordan Center, each seat was filled as well as every inch on the floor surrounding me. If this place was not as packed as it was, it definitely would not have been as fun as it was. As the saying goes, “The more, the merrier.” Each person there had some sort of creativity to bring to the table. This was shown through their outfits, as well as their actions. Most people were wearing neon colors with some white showing as well. Fanny packs, which were also neon colored, were used to hold their belongings, a long with neon accessories to top off their outfits. Sunglasses being worn inside the concert were very common among a lot of people, to make their outfits even more creative. Lastly, everyone’s dance moves mostly consisted of jumping up and down with hands in the air, going crazy. At these types of concerts, where house/techno music is being played, a lot of this tends to be common. I have never felt more at home though, with Avicii himself playing Penn State’s main song at football games, mixed with his music to perform his last song that night. The zombie nation song, “Ooooooh ooooh ohh ohh We are Penn State” played loud and clear in that arena, and I felt connected to every person there. I felt as if it brought us all together at that one moment. Avicii intertwined our school with his music for his last performance, which was very creative and artistic.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Prompt #8: WE ARE...
I think that this whole scandal has taught me a new view and perspective on life. Generally speaking, Sandusky did wrong. What he did is never going to be forgotten all around the world where the media is publicizing this event, and epically here in Penn State. Living in the moment and experiencing this tragedy first hand has been an interesting path for me, personally. I of course have always been a tuned to the football program and know how high-esteemed our team is and everything. But, being an actual football fan I’m sure is even more difficult because you are more involved in the players and coaches themselves. Since I did not even know who Sandusky was before this scandal, it has had a different effect on me. Of course it has shown me how we have to appreciate life to the fullest because you never know what is going on on the other side. These victims that are portrayed throughout this tragedy are very brave. It is unexplainable how these victims that have come out have to go through this right now, it is incomparable. No one will ever know how he or she really feels on the inside, which is a shame. They are truly scarred for life. As for the victims who have not yet come out, who know if they ever will at this point. I’m sure watching from their point of view is more difficult than we will ever know. They might feel as if they don’t even want to deal with what would occur if they did come out, while looking at the ones who did already and what they are now going through with the media, etc. I’m sure the hidden victims have been living a pretty scary life, and they just might not want it to get any scarier. I am utterly confused at the fact of how someone could have such a sick mind to do such a thing like this. I think it is so insane how someone could be so disgusting, especially for thing long of a time, and not say anything about it! How could someone not have an inch of guilt inside of them? That is why I am unsure as to whether or not I believe that JoePa should be taking blame for this or not. Yes it is the famous Joe Paterno, the one we have always known and loved for Penn State Football, which is why this situation is so sticky. I think he should be taking some blame because he did not say anything at first. So in turn, he was involved, but just so that he could get his award last year seems pretty selfish, doesn’t it? The problem is though, the media is portraying JoePa as the main source of attention on this issue because of the fact of how famous he is, compared to Sandusky, the real crime committer. This is where the controversy with the media comes into play they need to turn it around and show people that the issue is about Sandusky. JoePa cannot be getting all the blame for this, especially because there were even more coaches and staff involved as well.
I don’t believe that JoePa should have hot his last home game taken away from him and his players. Regardless of legal issues and all of that, thinking of how I would feel if I were in his shoes, I would just want that last game and that’s it. The game was actually packed to capacity, but it would have been that much more special if he was there. Who knows, we might have been about to win the game because of what he does every home game; his routine traditions. No matter how many problems this has caused our University, I know that JoePa will forever be remembered as an outstanding coach, solely on the field.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
PROMPT #6: PSU Podcast
This podcast made a lot of different emotions and feelings trigger through my mind. Right off the bat, I felt proud to be a part of Penn State’s community. Even though the narrator began with such criticisms of this university and harsh views on the nightlife, I know that if I think of it differently, I would have a whole different meaning to me. So I didn’t really take what he was saying, to heart. When I was applying to college, mostly my whole list consisted of big schools with a football team and school spirit. At the same time, all of my friends were doing the same thing. Thinking back to this, we knew exactly what we were getting ourselves into: possible distractions, big social scene, and a lot more. This did not change our views or even decisions on the schools we were applying to, because partying is just one aspect of college. College is about school itself; helping you get to the next stage in your life.
Keeping all of this in mind, it did not change anything for me. Going out at night here at Penn State is a life experience I have to say. Everyone on the buses, and streets are always so spirited, no matter what they are doing or where they are. It just makes everything that much more fun. I personally don’t think it’s a bad thing if someone is screaming “WE ARE PENN STATE” late at night, it’s called school spirit and having a good time. I understand that the town we live in still consists of people not in college, but if they are living here, they must be pretty big fans themselves.
Ethos is shown when the narrator interviews certain students on the street, and asks them about what they are doing at that moment or where they were coming from that night. Their answers usually reflected some kind of partying that night, which showed viewers the aspect of Penn State being a party school. Also like I mentioned before, the bus rides at night are filled with singing songs and screaming with school spirit, but I personally think that is the fun side of this school. You can be anywhere and still show school spirit. The interviewers made it seem like all of what was portrayed was a bad thing about this school. I disagree and I’m sure a lot of other students would do the same if they heard this. Another thing they talked about was the way the girls dressed to go out at night. This was actually funny to hear them be so appalled at this because if they went to any other state school and interviewed girls and young people out at night, they would get the same answers all over.
Pathos was shown through how the interviewers reacted to each interviewees response, and what they saw out at night as well. The part of the podcast that I was most angered about was when they said how they saw two girls peeing in the lady’s lawn- that I don’t think is respectful and classy at all. Even though Penn State is a very diverse community, nobody should be acting that way, it makes our school seem unclassy and unsanitary, and that is not how we are- it reflects onto everyone. I was also very moved when the guy interviewed at the frat house said that he couldn’t wait to get this girl drunk just so he could take advantage of her. That just shows in general how guys can be, at any school too. The fact that the narrator had to add that in to this podcast specifically reflecting on Penn State’s community, was not necessary because it happens everywhere. That is college and frat life for you. The part where I was most proud was when you hear everyone screaming and singing on the buses together, at the game, and in unity. It makes me proud to be a PennState student, and show off how cool and spirited my school is.
Finally, logos is used in the way that some statistics are told out loud throughout the interview about intoxication and other things, to make the podcast’s credibility shown.
One word used was “fracket,” which is a jacket that girls wear over their mini skirts at night to keep from the cold when walking to the frats, and one that they wouldn’t mind losing once there or getting dirty. Another word used was “drunk kid in the house.” This term was used in context when the narrator told how a little girl wanted to go to sleep, but she went to get into her bed and there was a boy laying in it, and she went to go tell her mom and she did not believe her. This term was then used, that there was a drunk man in the house, because the residents of state college have experience with this.
Overall, I think that this podcast did show the good and bads about college night-life. The bad thing was that the way they worded and made some things seem, were geared too much towards Penn state’s community, when really almost all of what they mentioned could have been the exact same at any huge state school, such as Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Syracuse, etc. It is a shame that some people cannot keep their acts together when out at night or even at a football game tailgate, and that is reflects onto Penn State’s community as a whole. But looking at all of this in a general perspective, it really can happen anywhere, as mentioned before.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Prompt #3: The Powers of Description
Sunday morning the sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky. I then decided that it would be a perfect day to take a run around campus. As I ran up Burrows Road, I approached this creature atop a light brown stone, located on the corner of Curtin Road. As I got closer to this object, I squinted my eyes to see it clearer. Students on buses, bikes, and cars passed me left and right as I crossed the street to go get a better look at the Nittany Lion Shrine. I later learned from reading about it, that it was made of limestone and was intricately carved.
The facial expression on the lion is very fierce and it's environment retrieves its intense vibe. “Mommy, take a picture of me next to the lion,” are words that I hear frequently as tourists come to State College to visit this significant site on campus. The background of this image plays a big role in guarding this object. All different kinds of green trees surround the Lion, giving off a fresh smell of nature to it's environment. The paws are dug carefully into the stone it is placed on, which makes it look like the lion is about to take off on a hunt for prey.
Although this lion is very powerful looking, it gives me a sense of comfort on campus. The Class of 1940 gave the University this Lion Shrine as their class gift, and ever since, it has been guarded with much pride and glory on our beautiful Penn State campus.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Prompt 2: Palmer Museum Visit
The piece of artwork that sparked my attention the most was the Harlem Rose. Willie Cole created this in the year 2005-06. He originally was interested in graphic design, but later on gained interest in the collecting business. He begun collecting discarded consumer objects such as irons, blow dryers, shoes, bicycle parts, etc. As time went on, Cole came up with a construction made of worn-out, scuffed female shoes, which he arranged in a sunburst type of array. The artwork represents when African Americans were once fragile creatures in a vibrant urban setting. The discarded shoes represent an image of the Black women who participated in the Montgomery Bus boycott along with the indomitable civil rights activist, Rosa Parks. Looking at this piece of art up close, I noticed that it really does make a social comment. It makes the point of how tough the black Women really were, and how much effort they put out there to get their point across of how diligently they worked to get through their hard times and how severely bad they were treated.
Harlem Rose definitely brought some sorrow to me when I looked at it for a while. It made me think of how hard of a life those people had to live through. It must have been really hard for their families and people around them to have to deal with this kind of situation. I am the kind of person who feels bad for EVERYONE. No matter what the situation is, I tend to have guilt for the people who are let down in some way or another. This connects to my values in the way that I like to stand up for my own beliefs. Rosa Parks led the Montgomery Bus Boycott and followed what she believed was right. The discarded shoes in the artwork represent independence and civil rights, and how the women would walk for hours and hours because they would not be let on the busses. If I was in their situation, I probably would be scared and emotional, but having the shoes there to show us how they lived, makes me feel like I was in their shoes, literally, and connects me to how they felt back then.
Willie Cole created credibility in his artwork because he truly outlined a sorrowful timeframe in which history made its point. The rest of Cole’s works demonstrate the history of pain and resistance, and fuel his creativity. Others of his mixed-media works contain consumer objects that are recycled and refashioned as well. This shows how much trust, belief, and effort he puts into his artwork and knows that it will all come together in an orderly fashion in the end.
I believe that this piece is making a statement about energy in the shows. How much energy really did come from those person’s shoes? Who wore them and why are they so important? These questions made me think a little bit when looking at this piece head on, and it makes me want to learn more about it.
My overall experience at the Palmer Museum was surprisingly quite interesting. It was very seldom inside, not a lot of people, and very quiet. I expected it to be quiet of course, but I did not expect to be so interested in what it had to offer. I think that the pieces of artwork that really stood out to me were mostly sculptures, or colorful pieces. Nothing crosses my mind when it was just a bland rectangle hanging on a wall. It either had to be more than 2-D, or colorful. I am not usually a museum-goer, so it really surprised me that I felt this way. I felt very comfortable in the museum, and felt a sense of comfort. As I sat on one of the benches, trying to quickly write down thoughts that provoked in my mind from examining it, I felt like a hard-working, comfortable writer. It was my first time in the Palmer Museum, and I think it is a shame that it was pretty empty, but hopefully more people go inside then I think go in, because it really is a beautiful place that is peaceful and can help a person write if they are stuck.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Journal Prompt #1
I am the kind of person who really does enjoy writing. I definitely have enjoyed writing over reading throughout my high school career, and previous years from that. There has always been this connection between me and writing. Once I start to write, it's as if the pen will not leave the paper. One strength I have as a writer, is being able to put my feelings into words. With this, I am able to express much detail and go into depth within my writing. I seem to pick out all the little points that people would normally pass over, when telling a story. I can never leave anything out. Another side to this, though, is rambling on sometimes. Although I include several detailed points in my writing, I tend to ramble, which leads me to editing and cutting some of my sentences out. Another strength that I possess as a writer is the ability to keep my ideas flowing from one paragraph to the next. Whenever I share stories with friends or anyone around me, I respond in such a way that makes them want to keep listening in to the story. This reflects into my writing as well. I would say this is a characteristic that comes from my personality, too. On the other hand, another weakness that I could work on fixing as a writer, would be forming my theses. I have always had some trouble with this. I think that forming a thesis is very difficult, especially if you are working with a topic that tends to be broad. Once a theme or topic is narrowed down to a specific "subtopic," we can call it, then it becomes easier.
As a writer, I would definitely do several different things than what I do now when I write. I feel like going to an area/surrounding that is very happening and busy could make for a great piece of work. Things like that are very interesting to me, and I believe that readers keep up with the writing when something is very busy, and not just bland and boring. I also think that when I write, I am going to try and focus in on more of a specific topic, rather than a generalized one to help with the rambling of sentences within my writing. Working on an introduction last, instead of writing it first might also help me form my theses easily. Lastly, I am going to try and use different words that stand out in a text, to bring attention to the reader.
I anticipate that this class will definitely help me learn a lot of new skills in writing. I know this class will help me to realize what is most important to have in a piece of work, and what is least important. I think this is a really significant skill to know because it is what keeps the reader's attention to the paper. I also hope that in this class, we don't learn just the skills of being a good writer, but the skill's of being a good reader as well.
This is my portrayal of art because although I am not from New York City, I go there very frequently to visit family and friends, and am stunned by the beauty of it every time I’m there. The skyline of the city inspires me to go out and travel the world because there are so many places to see that are just so interesting and mind boggling because of their beauty. I have seen this poster many places that I have been, but never once have purchased it. I think that this picture shows the meaning of art because it brings out the beauty and inspiration that art can make you have towards certain pieces.