Yo-Yo Ma and Rostropovich

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. He was a musical genius and remains one of the most acclaimed and influential of all composers. He wrote Cello Sonatas No. 4 at the period of time in which he experience ailments and difficulties including his deafness. The composition belonged to Beethoven’s last creative period and was composed seven years after his sonata no. 3 for cello and piano. (wiki)

Since then, there have been many variations of the composition piece. Two of which have been by Russian cellist and conductor Rostropovich and French-born Chinese-American virtuoso cellist and composer Yo yo ma. Each version is an interpretation of the original piece by the artist. There is no way to determine which variation is better; that part is purely up to the listen to decide. Each individual has their own preference of what sounds “better.” Personally, I like both versions. Each piece has its own unique attributes. It is obvious (by its construction) that each version tells a different story and I like both for that exact reason.

In the Yo-Yo Ma version, it starts out with both instruments playing softly. The cello then begins to grow stronger and more dramatic in sound. This creates a feeling of somberness and mystery as if wandering into the depths of the unknown. There is a darker mood as the sounds grow heavier, then the pieces changes again into a more gentle melody. The notes converse with each other and give off an air of curiosity as if suddenly stumbling onto something peculiar. The piece continues in a softer melody with occasional deeper sound cello excerpts.

The Rostropovich version starts out heavier, with deeper notes which build up the tension. It sounds as if the cello and piano are having a conversation with one another. The construction of the piece is reminiscent to that of a battle between the two instruments. It sounds as if the piano is trying to outdo the cello and vice versa. The rivalry starts off in a playful manner and builds up to be a fierce battle between the two to see which will top the other.

Romeo & Juliet at the Globe

Romeo and Juliet is a tragic tale of two young “star-cross’d lovers” whose untimely death ultimately united their feuding families. The play is one of Shakespeare most popular plays and has been known to be one of the greatest tragedies of all time, but who knew it could be so comical as well? Throughout history there have been various renditions of this classic tale, the 2009 production of Romeo and Juliet at the Globe Theatre adds, yet, another twist to an old favorite. Past productions have, typically, been more on the serious and dramatic side. This version, however, was much happier and incorporated more comedy in its scenes than many have in the past. The entire play had lighter tone to it; even the most intense and dramatic scenes, such as the final death scene, felt more lighthearted than tragic. I, personally, enjoyed the production (aside from the standing part). The addition of comedy gave the play an interesting new twist – something I did not expect from the tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet. This creative new rendition, however, has gotten mixed review from the critics. Some loved every aspect of it while others found that the play was miscast.

ArtsHub:
“There is simply no reason to spend a night at the Globe this summer…”
“It is very difficult not to fall in love with Adetomiwa Edun’s Charismatic, glowing Romeo…”

The londonist:
“We missed the bubbling tribal tensions that fuel this play. We missed the Queen Mab speech: good as he is, Philip Cumbus' Mercutio didn't use the whole stage, and vocal projection remains a perennial Globe problem. We missed any tragedy. Worst of all, we missed a suitable Juliet.”

British Museum

The year 2000 marked the completion of the reconstruction of the Great Court of the British Museum. The formal opening of the Queen Elizabeth II Great court was conducted by Her Majesty the Queen on December 6, 2000. The Reading room stands at the center of the courtyard encircled by two grand staircases leading to the Joseph Hotung Great Court Gallery and the Court Restaurant. The inner courtyard is enclosed by a magnificent glass and steel roof which transforms the space and adds a contemporary twist to the Roman-inspired architecture. Upon entering the Great Court, my eyes were automatically drawn upwards to the glass roof. The combination of steel framing, glass panels and geometric shapes reminded me of the Pyramids at the Louvre, though the Pyramids had diamond-shaped glass panels while these were triangular. From the eggshell walls to the glass ceiling, all these different design elements come together to create a space that is both light and airy.


Displayed in the Asia room is the Shiva Nataraja. In Hindu belief, Shiva manifests five aspects of eternal energy: creation, preservation, destruction, concealment, favor. The bronze figure illustrates the Hindu god Shiva appearing as the Lord of the Dance in a ring of fire (representing cosmic activity), lifting his leg and balancing over the dwarf of ignorance, Apasmara. His long hair flows out as he performs his dance and nestled within it is the goddess Ganga. In his upper right hand he holds a double sided drum representing the primordial sound of creation. The upper left hand holds a flame, which signifies destruction. The opposing concepts in upper hands show the counterpoise of creation and destruction. He makes the gesture ‘have no fear’ and points to his raised left foot, symbolizing liberation.

The Bloomsbury group is a loose collection of writers, artists, and intellectuals that made the Bloomsbury area of London the center of its activities during the first half of the twentieth century. Their work deeply influenced literature, aesthetics, criticism, and economics as well as modern attitudes towards feminism, pacifism, and sexuality (wiki). The membership of the group is not clearly defined and members vary from source to source.

Members of the Bloomsbury group included:

• Adrian Stephen: Author and psychoanalyst. Married to Karin Castelloe. Brother of Virginia Woolf, Vanessa Bell and Thoby Stephen.
• Bertrand Russell: Philosopher and campaigner for peace.
• Clive Bell: Art critic. Married to Vanessa Bell.
• David Garnett: Writer. Lover of Duncan Grant, husband of Anelica Garnett.
• Desmond MacCarthy: Journalist and editor.
• Dora Carrington: Artist.
• Duncan Grant: Artist.
• E.M. Forster: Writer (novelist).
• Gerald Brenan: Writer.
• Helen Anrep: Bloomsbury supporter. Long-term partner of Roger Fry.
• John Maynard Keynes: Economist. Key Bloomsbury supporter.
• Karin Costelloe Stephen: Philosophy graduate and expert on Bergson. Married to Adrian Stephen.
• Katherine Mansfield: Writer.
• Lady Ottoline Morrell: Literary hostess and patron of the arts. Lover of Bertrand Russell.
• Leonard Woolf: Writer and political figure. Founded Hogarth Press with Virginia Woolf. Married to Virginia Woolf.
• Lytton Strachey: Writer (biographer and essayist) and critic. Cousin of Ducan Grant.
• Mary Hutchinson: Writer and devoted patron of the arts. Clive Bell's lover.
• Molly MacCarthy: Writer.
• Roger Fry: Artist and critic.
• Saxon Sydney-Turner: Civil Servant.
• T.S.Eliot: Poet.
• Thoby Stephen: The Cambridge connection. Brother of Virginia Woolf, Vanessa Bell and Adrian Stephen.
• Vanessa (Stephen) Bell: Artist. Sister of Virginia Woolf, married to Clive Bell.
• Virginia (Stephan) Woolf: Novelist, essayist, biographer and critic. Founded Hogarth Press with Leonard Woolf. Sister of Vanessa Bell, married to Leonard Woolf.
• Vita Sackville-West: Writer (author and poet). Long time lover of Virginia Woolf.
• Wyndham Lewis: Painter and writer. Early associate of Roger Fry and Clive Bell.

Key Locations

ELIOT, T.S., OM (1888-1965),
Poet, lived and died here.
3 Kensington Court Gardens, W8
Kensington and Chelsea 1986

FORSTER, E.M. (1879-1970),
Novelist, lived here.
Arlington Park Mansions, Sutton Lane, Turnham Green, W4
Hounslow 1983

KEYNES, John Maynard (1883-1946),
Economist, lived here 1916-1946.
46 Gordon Square, Bloomsbury, WC1
Camden 1975

MANSFIELD, Katherine (1888-1923),
Writer, and her husband John Middleton MURRY (1889-1957), Critic, lived here.
17 East Heath Road, NW3
Camden 1969

MORRELL, Lady Ottoline (1873-1938),
Literary Hostess and Patron of the Arts, lived here.
10 Gower Street, WC1
Westminster 1984

RUSSELL, Bertrand (1872-1970)
Philosopher and Campaigner for Peace, lived here in flat no.34, 1911-1916
34 Russell Chambers, Bury Place, WC1
Camden 2002

SACKVLLE-WEST, Vita (1892-1962),
Writers and Gardeners, lived here.
182 Ebury Street, Belgravia, SW1
Westminster 1993

STEPHEN, Virginia (Virginia Woolf) (1882-1941),
Novelist and Critic, lived here 1907-1911.
29 Fitzroy Square, W1
Camden 1974

STRACHEY, Lytton (1880-1932),
Critic and Biographer, lived here.
51 Gordon Square, WC1
Camden 1971

WOOLF, Leonard and Virginia
lived in this house 1915-1924 and founded the Hogarth Press in 1917.
Hogath House, 34 Paradise Road
Richmond Upon Thames 1976

The Photographers' Gallery

I found Maurizio Anzeri’s collection to be rather fascinating, both technically and symbolically. In his pieces, Anazeri stitches intricate color patterns into the surface of black and white portraits adding physical and psychological layers to the portraits. The layer of weaving threads is a technique in which I have not seen before. The patterns form a sort of image or pattern that I believe is meant to portray an alternative side to the individual in the portrait. It is possible that the portrait aspect represents the outer surface of their personality and how they present themselves to the public whereas the thread pattern overlay illustrates their true self.

Alina Szapocznikow’s collection was very interesting as well. She produced her ‘Photosculpters’ by molding chewing gum in her mouth and photographing the results. At first I wasn’t aware of what the subject was in the photographs. Only upon closer inspection did I discover that it was chewing gum. The black and white film strengthens the piece by limiting the different attributes that can distract the eye. Instead the pieces play with light, shadow and depth to emphasize the sculptures.

Catherine Yass’ series Damage also caught my eyes. She treats her film transparencies according to their subject matter. She drowns, burns, and scratches the negatives of urban scenes using the subject as the inspiration for its destruction. I find that her work plays around with the concept of irony; specifically, the idea of the subject’s purpose as the cause of its downfall. For example, scenes of waterways are drowned or representations of gas towers are burnt.

Jack the Ripper & the Victorian under class

In the late 19th century, an unidentified serial killer dubbed ‘Jack the Ripper’ roamed the streets of the largely impoverished Whitechapel area (the slums) preying on women. His victims were those of the impoverished under class – specifically, women earning income as prostitutes. The rapid urbanization simulated by Industrial Revolution in combination with the large influx of people in Britain in the 19th century led to the development of a massive economic under class. The huge population increase added to the overcrowding and the already worsening work and housing conditions. This poverty drove many women to prostitution. In October 1888, there was an estimated 1,200 prostitutes “of very low class” resident in Whitechapel and about 62 brothels (wiki). The social classes can be distinguished by inequalities in areas including (but not limited to) power, wealth, working and living conditions and life-styles. Among the classes are the: upper class, middle class, working class (divided between skilled and unskilled labor), and at the bottom of the heap is the under class. Those in the Victorian under class consisted of the homeless and prostitutes. Individuals of the underclass lived in poverty and were much more susceptible to exploitation, and were therefore exploited (victorian web).

Victorian Era, Jack the Ripper, Social Class,

Aesthetic & Tate Britain

What's your aesthetic?

When it comes to my aesthetic, I find it hard to pinpoint a particular world that I can be classified as. I enjoy a variety of art styles but if I must choose one I would have to say I am closest to being a classicist. I like looking for balance and harmony within art. Whether it’s a combination of light and shadow, sharp and faded, or deep and bright tones, I enjoy pieces that have a balance of opposite features. I also find that I have a tendency to gravitate more towards pieces that focus more on nature and landscapes. Though I’m not the biggest nature person, this style of art seems to affect my mood more so than other art forms.

Turner vs. Rothko

In the Turner/Rothko exhibit, I found Turner’s work to be of greater interest. In his earlier work Turner’s style appeared to be closely related to that of Rothko. They both created very abstract pieces and their brush techniques appear to be very similar. However, I found Rothko’s pieces to be more abstract in that there isn’t any type of indication of what the pieces is suppose to be or what it is representing. On the other hand, Turner’s abstract pieces had subtle clues (such as his use of certain color combinations) that help the audience visualize what he was portraying in the pieces. It seems that Rothko’s art style remained the same while Turner went through many phases in his lifetime. As you walk through the different rooms, you can see the changes his painting style over the years, It appears that over time Turner began to incorporate the use of lighting effects and more details into his work. The techniques used are so different that it’s hard to believe that all of the pieces were created by the same artist.