FOR TUESDAY NIGHT:
Paper #5 with works cited (see Easy Writer 204-225), acknowledgments, reflections to turnitin.com
FOR WEDNESDAY:
Watch Porgy and Bess DVD with the subtitles on ("libretto").
Answer your assigned study question (3, 4, 11, 12, 14, or 15) and "question X" (what is one major issue in U.S. aesthetics?).
Extra credit for attending this event about architecture and landscape design.
FOR FRIDAY:
Discovery Task #4
NEW EXHIBIT ON NAZI PROPAGANDA:
At the U.S. Holocaust Museum. In case you're, um, in Washington D.C. this month.
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ReplyDelete---------
Q3.
Porgy killed Crawl becuase he did not want him interferring with his
happiness with Bess. Bess is obviously not emotionally or physically
strong enough to keep Crawl out of her life, so Porgy had no choice but to
rid Crawl from their life. Also, from the beginning Crawl is considered
the strong and fearful character while Porgy is considered as the poor and
crippled character; no one to be feared or taken seriously. However, when
Porgy killed Crawl his character changed as he became stronger and more
masculine.
Qx
An aesthetic seen in modern day that was not seen in either the Soviet
Union or Weimar Germany is the blurred content seen on TV and sometimes
written pieces. Ever since TV came out, controversies over what kind of
content could be shown errupted as their were differences of opinion on
what was considered appropriate. How much blood/how much of the human body
can be showed? Similarly, audiences will find a wide range of explicit
words that are often bleeped out of programs. There are differences of
opinion on how appropriate certain images and words are. Some may think
that gory/explicit images and foul language will have real efects on
people watching, while others may trust that the viewer has sense enough
to distinguish what is appropriate for TV life and what is appropriate for
reality.
-Martha
11. Porgy kills Crown because Crown vowed that after he proved himself to Bess by going out into the storm, he would claim her. Porgy would not allow Crown to claim Bess and a fight between them breaks out, leading to the death of Crown at the hands of Porgy.
ReplyDeleteX. One major issue in United States aesthetics is Grunge music. It contains everything controversial in rock and roll music such as sex and drugs. Some may consider the lifestyle that comes with this genre is provocative and profane, and can lead those who listen to it to become depressed and perhaps even suicidal.
Question 12: Why did Bess leave Catfish Row with Sportin' Life?
ReplyDeleteThe Cocaine Sportin' Life gave her distorted her judgment and lead her to believe that Porgy would never return. Bess abandoned her love for Porgy to live a perhaps wealthier lifestyle in New York.
Question X:
Not sure how to answer this question, but I believe that one major issue in U.S. aesthetics is that there are too many different types of people and they cannot agree on just one set of aesthetics. The U.S. is a country with many different races and people who come from many different cultures. E.g. an chinese person would probably like chinese movies more than a mexican person, and vice versa with mexican movies.
11. Why does Porgy kill Crown?
ReplyDeleteCrown enters the village and exclaims that he will claim Bess. Porgy refuses to allow it to happen because he is aware of Crown's abusive nature, and he understands that Bess is also not willing to stay with him. A fight ensues and Porgy ultimately kills Crown.
X.
I'm not sure if I'm answering this question correctly, but the U.S. seems to be very careful in censorship although the country claims to be a liberal democracy. For example, there is the argument of U.S. anime vs. Japan anime. Traditionally in Japan, anime was not meant for kids, but U.S. has made a majority of the imported anime into children cartoons. Sailor Moon, for example, was meant to be an anime for adults, but once it was brought over to the U.S., the American producers edited out all the explicit nudity scenes so the anime can be suitable for children. The U.S. market deeply influences the global market. Now, most people know Sailor Moon as a kid's anime rather than an adult's anime.
4. During his life, Gershwin was exposed to a variety of music genres. Early in his life, he created pieces that were primarily jazz-influenced. He then moved on to popular music, but the jazz influence remained, and after moving to France, he started composing classical works and some musicals. Eventually, he returned to the United States where he wrote Porgy and Bess. All the music that he had been exposed to prior to that time influenced his work in the "folk opera." In it, Gershwin brings together the different kinds of music and creates a wide repertoire of styles. For example, the first song, "Summertime", sounds like opera, whereas "I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'" sounds more heavily influenced by popular music. Then, songs like "A Woman is a Sometime Thing" and "It Ain't Necessarily So" sound distinctly jazz.
ReplyDeleteX. This probably isn't really unique to American aesthetics, but it seems like Americans tend to think that in order to criticize someone's art, you have to be at least as good as the person you're criticizing, if not better. We seem to defend ourselves and others by saying something along the lines of "well, let's see you do it" with regard to art, but I think, in general, if you reach a certain level of knowledge about something, you can tell if a person is making mistakes or not. Then again, I guess this might just be a matter of pride and not aesthetics...
Alyssa had problems with the blog too... did anyone else?
ReplyDelete------
Study Questions for Porgy and Bess
Alyssa Kim
Question 14
I would not propose a “color-blind casting” because Gershwin created this
opera, and the way he intended to show this opera, through
African-American singers/actors, is the way it should be shown. Even if I
did not respect Gershwin’s wishes, I probably would keep the cast
African-American to keep the story authentic.
Question X
A major issue in U.S. aesthetics is censorship and banning of books.
Depending on who one asks, writing is a form of art. Books have been
banned from many schools from elementary to high school levels because of
“inappropriate” content. Sometimes, only parts of books were introduced to
students, and the authors would be upset with this, so along came
ultimatums. Authors would say that schools are not allowed to use their
books in the schools’ curriculum unless they allowed the students to read
the entire book. It was an all-or-nothing agreement.
Oscar's Homework Assignment
“Art is any form has been and always will be a universal language… we
should do everything we can to keep it alive.” – Penelope Cruz, February
22, 2009
In the Soviets’ point of view, the Academy tries to justify itself as a
special artistic/intellectual class by the way they make everything
glamorous from the commercials to the pre-Academy red carpet viewing of
the expensive, glamorous life of the actors to the actual exclusive Oscars
show. It would be unacceptable because everyone should be allowed to be a
part of this show.
#14
ReplyDeleteIf I were producing a revival today, I would not propose a "color-blind" cast because the theme in this opera concerns one particular race and how its is related with the politics of the time (white police officers acting cruelly). It would not do justice to the storyline, if it were a mix race of people. However, if I were to change the plot around a little bit, I would consider including minorities as the community of Catfish row.
X
I think that the diversity in the US becomes a problem in establishing an aesthetic standard. Because there the United states is a melting pot of various cultures, it is hard to criticize a piece of art in general. Perhaps, that is why when we did the "do you consider _______ art?" activity, people were willing to consider most of things art.
Can you relate those musical influences to the music in Porgy and Bess? What kinds of music did he compose before Porgy and Bess and how what traces of his background as a composer can you find in the opera?
ReplyDeleteGershwin wrote Porgy and Bess after studying composition in France with Stravinsky (Russian-born composer noted for his stylistic diversity) (opera influences can be heard in "Summertime.") Before that he was very much influenced by jazz and other forms of African American music. According to Moeller, he composes orchestral music that attempts to make jazz into music for the concert hall. It can be heard in "It Ain't Necessarily So." Gershwin also wrote popular music where most of his riches were made. I think when Porgy sings "I Got Plenty o' Nuttin," popular music had its influences.
What is one major issue in U.S. aesthetics?
I think there's a problem with marketing and how many things that are considered to be art are distorted to fulfill quotas and in making money. Like children cartoons now-a-days; many substantive aspects of the cartoon are being replaced with something lacking. I remembered Pokemon being very good with good moral stories and actions but now they seem to have run out of ideas yet it still airs because it makes money. (if all this makes any sense, I think I'm starting to rant again)
-Yen
3. Make a list of the different sorts of musical influences to which Gershwin was exposed and the types of music he created.
ReplyDeleteVarious piano teachers, his older brother, his younger sister, Classical Composers like Rubin Goldmark, Avant Garde composers like Henry Cowell, as well as jazz and little bits of other types of music all influenced Gershwin to create the kinds of music he did. These types were popular, but were a mixture of classical music as well, which helps show how much variety he exposed himself to or others brought to him.
“question X" (what is one major issue in U.S. aesthetics?)
I guess one major issue in U.S. aesthetics would be this sort of ‘A.D.D. pool’ of artistic values that everyone has. There are too many different things we classify as aesthetic now that it is beginning to get difficult to distinguish them all, as well as too many things to choose from because we’re constantly distracted by something else. The problem we have is setting certain types of regulations to classify aesthetics because we’re constantly adding and subtracting new rules to this concept. I think we go back and forth between so many different types that we no longer know what aesthetics in the U.S. means in the first place.
Question 12: Why did Bess leave Catfish Row with Sportin' Life?
ReplyDeleteIt was difficult enough for Bess to transition herself from being a “woman” to a “lady.” Being with Porgy changed her for the better. However, Porgy’s extended absence due to his time in jail seemed to weaken her; it seems as if her being with Porgy provoked an improvement in herself. And because he had been gone, she did not have enough strength to take care of herself or Carla’s baby. After having taken a shot of cocaine, Bess’ leftover hope disintegrated. She then turned to Sportin’ Life, desperately anticipating for the money and glamorous lifestyle that Sportin’ Life offered to give her.
Question X: What is one major issue in U.S. aesthetics?
This is a difficult question to answer. However, I believe that one issue in U.S. aesthetics, particularly aesthetics in extremely urbanized areas such as California and New York, is that many people perceive art more as a superficial aspect. Although our culture seems to revolve around an appreciation for diverse works, some assume that the more expensive something is, the better it is. For example, high-fashion models must work for high-end brands like Versace and Gucci. They also have to be stick-thin and a symmetrical face. The advertisements imply that if a person is able to purchase brands like Versace or Chanel, they can look good like the models in the magazine.
Q3:Make a list of the different sorts of musical influences to which Gershwin was exposed and the types of music he created.
ReplyDeleteGershwin's musical influence came from his earlier musical training such as piano, which he studied with many teachers with different styles such as classical and Avant Garde. He began with making jazz and ragtime music in his teen years then would later move to more classical works such as opera. His operas were distinct in the fact that they were influenced by jazz music in which he would receive mixed reviews.
QX: What is one major issue in U.S. aesthetics?
I think one major issue in U.S. aesthetics is the depiction and racial categorization of different ethnic groups. Marketing schemes play on different stereotypes for comical relief or just to invoke certain emotions to get people to buy certain products.
15.
ReplyDeleteIf I were in charge of the production of Porgy and Bess, I would set up the Kittiwah Island scene in a way that would foreshadow the rape of Bess. To do this, I would make the costumes and dances more seductive. However I would make Bess in more of a homely dress in order to signify her loyalty to Porgy and to emphasize that her encounter with Crown is not consensual. If she were to dress more seductively, it would show that she has gone back to her old ways, which would not make sense at this point in the opera.
X: A major issue in American aesthetics is definitely censorship. Traveling around the world, particularly through Europe, I have found that almost no other country places so much emphasis on the censoring of profane language or the body as America does. I find it ironic how our country stresses the importance of the freedom of expression, when we can hardly listen to a song on the radio or watch a tv show without some degree of censorship.
Q14
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have a "color-blind" cast because it is not the way the opera was meant to be performed. It isn't racism or anything like that, it's just that the story is about African-Americans, so the cast should be African-American
X
An issue in U.S. aesthetics is that artistic success and fiscal success are meshing into one entity. People think that because an artist makes a lot of money, that they are good artists. There are more than enough examples to support this claim.
Question 4:
ReplyDeleteGeorge Gershwin was influenced by a lot of musical styles. In his time, much of the musical influence came from "black music" styles, the somewhat pop-culture of the early 1900's. Being in New York, those influences were jazz primarily, but Gershwin took some time to expand in Paris where he focused on classical composition such as his famous work, "Rhapsody in Blue". He returned to New York to write Porgy and Bess, and the influences of popular music was evident in the opera because the setting was in a black neighborhood of Charleston.
Question X:
An issue in aesthetics in the U.S. today is definitely the decline in sexual censorship. What I mean by that is that as time has continued, more and more has sex seemed to leak into everyday programs based on it being acceptable to society. The terms of aesthetics have steadily grown to allow sex to leak into programs with less and less censorship. More and more is now being allowed to promote these ideas, which in turn leaks into society and instills the idea of "sex with no limits," which does have consequences.
Finally I got the blog to work. I had to use an on campus computer