stephanie.lascano's blog

Independent Visit #3: The American Folk Art Museum

A few weeks ago, while attempting to see the Tim Burton exhibit, I discovered that the MOMA is closed on Tuesdays. While this was a tragic event, it opened my eyes to a whole other museum entirely. Next to the MOMA, in the shadows, lies The American Folk Art Museum. I had never heard of it before this day, but was pleasantly surprised by the new discovery.

Independent Visit #2: New York Historical Society

Last week, I went to the New York Historical Society to view the Abraham Lincoln and John Brown exhibits. Aside from being pleased that the visit was free thanks to the cultural passport, I was concerned that I wouldn't find many things in the exhibits interesting. History is not my strong suit, and I usually avoid it at all costs, but there was definitely something in these exhibits for everyone.

Independent Visit #1: Precious

A few weeks ago, I went to go see a film titled Precious. Many of you may have never heard of it (I didn't until my cousin, who is a director/writer/general starving artist, told me I must see it), but it is a film that everyone SHOULD see. It was featured in the Sundance, Toronto, and Cannes Film Festivals and won numerous awards, similar to the novel Push that it's based on, so I decided it would be worth making the trip with some friends to see it in the city where it was on limited release. 

Alexander String Quartet

Although I recognize the beauty and talent needed to perform classical music, I must admit it's not that interesting to me. I played violin from fourth grade through high school, so I know the dedication it takes to become a good a violinist. I respect the performers in that sense, since they achieved a level of talent that I could never touch, but I can't help but like things more outside of the box. Juxtaposing this with the performance at Carnegie Hall, or even the incredible show at BAM, left me craving something a little less conventional. But, now that that's out of the way ...

Les Demoiselles d'Avignon

Viewing Les Demoiselles d'Avignon a second time, after the class discussion, shed a whole new light on the piece. I, of course, had noticed the large size of the painting during my visit, but it was all the more daunting the second time around. Keeping in mind that the prostitutes in the work expected a tradeoff, something in return, and that the work wasn't going to let me look at it's beauty for free, my discomfort gained unexpected worth. It was my payment. I find this idea rather fascinating, that something inanimate has the right to demand an emotion back from you.

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