Hi everyone, here are a couple of pictures I took at Arturo O'Farrill's show on November 1. What a fun night!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Dia de los Muertos pictures from Shea
Hi everyone, here are a couple of pictures I took at Arturo O'Farrill's show on November 1. What a fun night!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Ramo Rocks My Jam-o
Heyyoo,
I hope everyone had a fun halloween!
Just to re-cap...
On Saturday we went to the Symphony Space to see Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra perform with many of Arturo's good friends and Latin dancers, who showed off their Mexican/Latin ethnicity through native dances.
The highlight of the night, I feel, was the first guitar solo by Michele Ramo (as Eric put it, the
whole night was worth is for just that solo). He played with such precision while creating this mass sound that blended together, and was able to play two separate beats and sounds at the same time.
All in all, it was pretty awesome.
SO:
This week, we're going to meet in a gallery in Chelsea, the info is to come!
See you then!
-Nicole
(I need one of those cool blogger/online names that doesn't actually reveal who I am even though you'll know its me...hmm...)
I hope everyone had a fun halloween!
Just to re-cap...
On Saturday we went to the Symphony Space to see Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra perform with many of Arturo's good friends and Latin dancers, who showed off their Mexican/Latin ethnicity through native dances.
The highlight of the night, I feel, was the first guitar solo by Michele Ramo (as Eric put it, the
whole night was worth is for just that solo). He played with such precision while creating this mass sound that blended together, and was able to play two separate beats and sounds at the same time.All in all, it was pretty awesome.
SO:
This week, we're going to meet in a gallery in Chelsea, the info is to come!
See you then!
-Nicole
(I need one of those cool blogger/online names that doesn't actually reveal who I am even though you'll know its me...hmm...)
Monday, October 27, 2008
Nicole First Post WOOT!
Hey there, fellow TRaCians,
This is my first post I hope you find these somewhat interesting/amusing/informative...
During this week's class at the Dance Theater Workshop we met with Dance TRaC's instructor Brian MrCormick who not only offered us great advice about how to approach a dance review but how to view art in general. We discussed:
*conceptual art/dance vs abstract art/dance vs literal pieces
* the different genre's of dance and how they relate
(ie ballet, which is very structured vs hip hop which is much looser, but still has technical terms and the same basis as any other kind of dance).
* how to (attempt) to discuss a piece without a bias
* in reviewing most arts, but particularly dance, description is essential because it is so abstract and not something concrete.
This week after class we saw the Broadway version of Alfred Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps" at the Cort theater (note my fancy picture posting). What was interesting about this performance was that the cast was made up of only four people, one of which was Sam Robards, or as many of you might have recognized, Nate Archibald's dad from Gossip Girl (omg did you watch tonight's episode? so intense.)
vs. 
And some other cool people from the cast (the bald guy was Bilbo Baggins!) The 39 Steps was essentially about a man named Richard Hannay, who travels all around the world running from the police to figure out a secret that if released, could destroy the country. Originally a horror movie I'm assuming, as Hitchcock's movies are, the movie was transformed into a hilarious play with a cunning sense of humor with a bunch of allusions to other Hitchcock movies which were hilarious (really, I could hear Kat laughing the whole time she got most of them i only got the "psycho" one).
All in all the show was very entertaining. Go see it!
Ok so this post is altogether too long. Sorry guys.
I'll try to make it short and sweet but I get really carried away with this whole picture posting business.
**REMEMBER! Bring your revised copies of your review of the Pockemon Dance Crew, oui?
and I guess write another review for the 39 steps and bring them all in on Wed (a few copies of each) when we meet and SWITCH LOCATIONS TO :165 East 56th Street (between 3rd Ave and Lexington Ave).
AIIGHT?
peace and love,
Nicole
An Afro Latin Halloween
We'll see you on Saturday, November 1st for Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra's Dia de los Muertos!
On Saturday, Nov. 1st, the whole Teen Reviewers and Critics program will come together along with over 100 other High 5ers to celebrate la Dia de los Muertos with Arturo O’Farrill's Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, a Grammy-nominated ensemble, melding rhythms from African and Latin American countries with jazz harmonies from the United States. The concert features the world premiere of the Day of the Dead Suite, the extraordinary Aztec Suite and special guest performers including Folkloric Dancers.
Before the concert, Arturo O'Farrell is holding a High 5 exclusive workshop on Afro-Latin Jazz, so we'll be heading over to the show by 6:30 p.m. Come prepared to jump on stage and learn first-hand what it takes to be a Afro-Latin Jazz All-Star....
WHEN: Saturday, November 1st. 6:30 - 10:15 p.m. (with two intermissions)
WHERE: SYMPHONY SPACE at 2537 Broadway and 95th Street in Manhattan
DIRECTIONS: Take the 1, 2 or 3 subway to the 96th Street stop. Exit train and walk south on Broadway. Symphony Space will be on your right-hand side. OR Take the B or C subway to the 96th Street stop and walk west until you hit Broadway.
On Saturday, Nov. 1st, the whole Teen Reviewers and Critics program will come together along with over 100 other High 5ers to celebrate la Dia de los Muertos with Arturo O’Farrill's Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, a Grammy-nominated ensemble, melding rhythms from African and Latin American countries with jazz harmonies from the United States. The concert features the world premiere of the Day of the Dead Suite, the extraordinary Aztec Suite and special guest performers including Folkloric Dancers.
Before the concert, Arturo O'Farrell is holding a High 5 exclusive workshop on Afro-Latin Jazz, so we'll be heading over to the show by 6:30 p.m. Come prepared to jump on stage and learn first-hand what it takes to be a Afro-Latin Jazz All-Star....
WHEN: Saturday, November 1st. 6:30 - 10:15 p.m. (with two intermissions)
WHERE: SYMPHONY SPACE at 2537 Broadway and 95th Street in Manhattan
DIRECTIONS: Take the 1, 2 or 3 subway to the 96th Street stop. Exit train and walk south on Broadway. Symphony Space will be on your right-hand side. OR Take the B or C subway to the 96th Street stop and walk west until you hit Broadway.
Costumes
are
optional.....
:)
see ya'll on Saturday, muertos!
~eric
are
optional.....
:)
see ya'll on Saturday, muertos!
~eric
REMINDER!
Class this week is NOT at the Dance Theater Workshop.
From now on, Multi TRaC will meet at the Jacob Blaustein Building. The address is 165 East 56th Street (between 3rd Ave and Lexington Ave).
View Larger Map
That's on the east side, not too far from the High 5 offices.
From uptown, you can take the N,R, W, or F trains to 57th Street OR the 4, 5, or 6 trains to the 59th street train stop and walk down Lexington Ave to 56th Street, then make a left.
You can also take the E, V, or 6 train to the 51st Street and walk up Lexington Ave to 56th Street and make a right.
The building has a glass revolving door. You head in and tell the guy behind the glass you are there for Multi TRaC and he'll let you through and tell you which floor to head to.
From now on, Multi TRaC will meet at the Jacob Blaustein Building. The address is 165 East 56th Street (between 3rd Ave and Lexington Ave).
View Larger Map
That's on the east side, not too far from the High 5 offices.
From uptown, you can take the N,R, W, or F trains to 57th Street OR the 4, 5, or 6 trains to the 59th street train stop and walk down Lexington Ave to 56th Street, then make a left.
You can also take the E, V, or 6 train to the 51st Street and walk up Lexington Ave to 56th Street and make a right.
The building has a glass revolving door. You head in and tell the guy behind the glass you are there for Multi TRaC and he'll let you through and tell you which floor to head to.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Pockemon Crew - Saturday, October 18, 2pm!
For our first performance, we'll have the privilege of seeing one of France's top hip-hop dance ensembles, the Pockemon Crew, a group that mixes traditional Arabic music and cabaret with a modern urban sensibility. This year's show is titled "That's Life!?"
What: Pockemon Crew
When: Saturday, October 18, 2pm
Where: Florence Gould Hall, 55 E 59th Street between Park and Madison.
Subway: 4, 5, 6 to Lexington/59th St - or - N, R to 5th Ave/60th St.
For more information, click here.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Fall 2008 Multi TRaC begins!
Make sure to think outside the box....and the lines.... and rules.... and pre-conceptions.
Open your mind!
and enjoy.
~eric
(for more BANSKY - the graffiti artist who painted the above - click here.)
Open your mind!
and enjoy.
~eric
(for more BANSKY - the graffiti artist who painted the above - click here.)
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Our last class together! We got off to a sugary and hyper start and the sugar from the cupcakes and (beets?) made it through everyone’s system; this sparked a very insightful and awkward discussion about the muscle definition of the lead dancer at Battleworks. As we sat in perfect symmetry, Eric and I, the only men present in the room were dumbfounded by everyone’s supposed lack of words in describing the dances. Then Patrick came in to liven the conversation up with his ridiculous accents and satire of a certain unnamed NYT dance critic. We ended the meeting with a sudden frantic and crazy shout out to Spring Awakening through Emily and Brian’s little exchange, but it was a great way to end the last meeting at the Jacob Blaustein Building.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
The New Museum provided an experience that was nothing short of new. We went to see the After Nature exhibit but got stock surrounding the woman writhing on the floor creating her own art. As many of us chanted “What’s inside is just a lie,” over and over again, we tested the limits to her movement forcing the guard to come over and order us to move. Riding the green elevators after observing a replica of the Unabomber’s house wasn’t too bad of an idea (except for when people started to get on with us). The cookies downstairs didn’t seem to bad but the pizza was slightly price at $4 a slice. We exited the building and our final experience with art together ran to us from across the street. As we closed in for a group hug, the finality of the act became clearer and we smiled for our last couple of pictures in summer TRaC. For the last time Eric asked, “Does anyone need directions?” We all went our separate way but this doesn’t mean its the end. Its never the end. Lose an hour. Gain an hour. Lose your mind. Take it back. Its never over, and we’ll meet again (pizza and a movie anyone?). The dude abides, and this dude named Sahil signs off summer TRaC. Over and out.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
On this day,
-Before class, we saw Monica Bill Barnes and Company at the Robert F. Wagner Junior Park.
In class,
-We read our two line reviews, and some of us read our responses to the Battleworks show.
-We had a guest, Brian McCormick, who co-wrote Taking Up the Modern Dance Cause.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Today,
-We gave Eric about a thousand gifts! (I hope you enjoyed them!) =D
-We went to the New Museum.
Guys, I’m gonna miss you all so much!!!
But, it’s most definitely NOT the end!!!
See you next week!!! 0=D
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
LAST DAY OF SUMMER TRaC 2008 ever.......
Our big finale is tomorrow and what better place than the Bowery to finish up our time in the city together. Can I get a "Hell, Yes!"?
We're meeting up at THE NEW MUSEUM at 235 Bowery Street from 4:30-7pm. (We were there. You saw it. Here's the website: http://www.newmuseum.org) The stated mission of the New Museum is as follows:
Our focus is going to be the exhibition After Nature, though you can of course check out the whole place - and you should! From the website: "After Nature surveys a landscape of wilderness and ruins, darkened by uncertain catastrophe. It is a story of abandonment, regression, and rapture—an epic of humanity and nature coming apart under the pressure of obscure forces and not-so-distant environmental disasters. Bringing together an international and multigenerational group of artists, filmmakers, writers, and outsiders, the exhibition depicts a universe in which humankind is being eclipsed and new ecological systems struggle to find a precarious balance."
Sounds uplifting, doesn't it??? Perfect for our last adventure.
Before we go, take a look at the online exhibition here.
And, as this is more like a party than a class, feel free to invite any and all friends to come along. Just be there by 4:30 so we can go in!
Directions by Subway:
From the East Side of Manhattan
Take the downtown 6 train to Spring Street. Exit the station and walk one block north on Lafayette Street to Prince Street. Turn right and proceed until Prince Street ends four blocks later at Bowery.
From the West Side of Manhattan
Take the downtown 1 train to 42nd street and transfer to the downtown R or W trains on weekdays or the N or R train on weekends, downtown to Prince Street. Exit the station and proceed east on Prince Street for six blocks to Bowery. You may also take the downtown B or D trains to Broadway/ Lafayette. Walk three blocks east to Bowery and turn right two blocks to Prince Street.
From Brooklyn
Take the Manhattan-bound F or V train to 2nd Avenue. Exit at Houston Street, and walk one block west to Bowery. Turn left, and proceed one and a half blocks south to Prince Street.
From Queens
Take the Manhattan-bound F or V train to 2nd Avenue. Exit at Houston Street, and walk one block west to Bowery. Turn left, and proceed one and a half blocks south to Prince Street.
We're meeting up at THE NEW MUSEUM at 235 Bowery Street from 4:30-7pm. (We were there. You saw it. Here's the website: http://www.newmuseum.org) The stated mission of the New Museum is as follows:
Our focus is going to be the exhibition After Nature, though you can of course check out the whole place - and you should! From the website: "After Nature surveys a landscape of wilderness and ruins, darkened by uncertain catastrophe. It is a story of abandonment, regression, and rapture—an epic of humanity and nature coming apart under the pressure of obscure forces and not-so-distant environmental disasters. Bringing together an international and multigenerational group of artists, filmmakers, writers, and outsiders, the exhibition depicts a universe in which humankind is being eclipsed and new ecological systems struggle to find a precarious balance."Sounds uplifting, doesn't it??? Perfect for our last adventure.
Before we go, take a look at the online exhibition here.
And, as this is more like a party than a class, feel free to invite any and all friends to come along. Just be there by 4:30 so we can go in!
Directions by Subway:
From the East Side of Manhattan
Take the downtown 6 train to Spring Street. Exit the station and walk one block north on Lafayette Street to Prince Street. Turn right and proceed until Prince Street ends four blocks later at Bowery.
From the West Side of Manhattan
Take the downtown 1 train to 42nd street and transfer to the downtown R or W trains on weekdays or the N or R train on weekends, downtown to Prince Street. Exit the station and proceed east on Prince Street for six blocks to Bowery. You may also take the downtown B or D trains to Broadway/ Lafayette. Walk three blocks east to Bowery and turn right two blocks to Prince Street.
From Brooklyn
Take the Manhattan-bound F or V train to 2nd Avenue. Exit at Houston Street, and walk one block west to Bowery. Turn left, and proceed one and a half blocks south to Prince Street.
From Queens
Take the Manhattan-bound F or V train to 2nd Avenue. Exit at Houston Street, and walk one block west to Bowery. Turn left, and proceed one and a half blocks south to Prince Street.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Midnight Monday deadline and Monica Bill Barnes in the Financial District at 1pm (optional - if you miss it you're crazy!)
As I mentioned at the Joyce after the incredible Battleworks show, we need some more dance in our lives! If you can make it downtown a little bit early on Tuesday, Monica Bill Barnes will be treating the public to a FREE performance. She's fabulous and this is a brand new work. Everyone who can come, should. Feel free to bring along anyone you like. (Twin sisters included;) Details follow your assignment......
2 Assignments for Tuesday's class:
Free Response to Battleworks. (minimum 500 words. It can be as long as you like...)
Write a creative response to the show in whatever form you want. Again, like the last round of free responses, bring us physically into your piece with rich details about the moment(s) you describe. Having trouble? Find an entrance to the piece. Maybe a moment that transported you. Maybe it was something Robert said. It's up to you. Just don't forget a title!!! And include a word count at the end.
A two-line review of Battleworks. (Two sentences only!)
Imagine that we need a snappy quote to put under the picture on the poster outside the Joyce. You are not trying to advertise the piece - meaning, you don't have to write a promotion or an ad. Write your two-line review. As in, you have two sentences to tell a friend what the show was. See what you can do!
Email both assignments to me by midnight on Monday. Bring THREE copies to class. Email me if you need copies. 24 hours till deadline!!!! Go and write!!!!! (after you read the message below, of course....)
***SPECIAL SUMMER TRaC BONUS****
For the optional dance show this Tuesday, meet at 12:30 downtown in the financial district at Robert Wagner Jr. Park. Email eric if you plan on coming! The show will be a little over a half an hour. Afterwards, we'll go our separate ways until we meet again for class at 4:30. If you'd like to come back up to High 5 in-between the show and class, you are all more than welcome.
MONICA BILL BARNES presents Game Face
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's
Sitelines 2008 Series
2 more days left of Summer TRaC!!!!
And, Yes, there are going to be baked goods. Don't ask me how this happened. I just accept it with joy. Who am I to ask questions???
2 Assignments for Tuesday's class:
Free Response to Battleworks. (minimum 500 words. It can be as long as you like...)
Write a creative response to the show in whatever form you want. Again, like the last round of free responses, bring us physically into your piece with rich details about the moment(s) you describe. Having trouble? Find an entrance to the piece. Maybe a moment that transported you. Maybe it was something Robert said. It's up to you. Just don't forget a title!!! And include a word count at the end.
A two-line review of Battleworks. (Two sentences only!)
Imagine that we need a snappy quote to put under the picture on the poster outside the Joyce. You are not trying to advertise the piece - meaning, you don't have to write a promotion or an ad. Write your two-line review. As in, you have two sentences to tell a friend what the show was. See what you can do!
Email both assignments to me by midnight on Monday. Bring THREE copies to class. Email me if you need copies. 24 hours till deadline!!!! Go and write!!!!! (after you read the message below, of course....)
***SPECIAL SUMMER TRaC BONUS****
For the optional dance show this Tuesday, meet at 12:30 downtown in the financial district at Robert Wagner Jr. Park. Email eric if you plan on coming! The show will be a little over a half an hour. Afterwards, we'll go our separate ways until we meet again for class at 4:30. If you'd like to come back up to High 5 in-between the show and class, you are all more than welcome.
MONICA BILL BARNES presents Game FaceLower Manhattan Cultural Council's
Sitelines 2008 Series
Come see Anna Bass, Monica Bill Barnes, Deborah Lohse, Lindsey Kelley, Mindy Upin and Mary Ann Wall dance and sweat under the summer sun at Robert Wagner Park. Grab your lunch and sun block and enjoy this free event. If all goes well, you, too may be able to join in the fun and sing along.
"Monica Bill Barnes injects some fun into the stock market. And while it may be hard to have a sense of humor in the Financial District these days, Barnes is sure to bring a smile to even the most cynical faces." The Village Voice
"Monica Bill Barnes injects some fun into the stock market. And while it may be hard to have a sense of humor in the Financial District these days, Barnes is sure to bring a smile to even the most cynical faces." The Village Voice
Directions to Robert Wagner Jr. Park (click here for map): Take the 4 or 5 train to the Bowling Green stop. The park is located across from the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Walk west from the Bowling Green subway stop and look for an observation deck which frames the Statue of Liberty. (If you need help with directions call me in the morning on Tuesday or write me an email.) Remember to email me if you are coming!!!!
2 more days left of Summer TRaC!!!!
And, Yes, there are going to be baked goods. Don't ask me how this happened. I just accept it with joy. Who am I to ask questions???
Friday, August 1, 2008
Tuesday and Thursday, July 29 and 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
On this day,
-We read our “Explode a moment”’s aloud, except for Lucy, who read her free-writing assignment about how she was feeling. (Our 10-minute free-writing was either about that or a description of the room/ our surroundings.)
-We heard some thoughts, learned some things, and shared some laughs. =D
Thursday, July 31, 2008
-We went to see Battleworks at the Joyce Theatre.
-We had a talk-back with Robert Battle.
Highlights of the Night:
-Ketchup’s reaction: It had the greatest affect on me. I texted my friend during intermission and said, “Tomorrow, we have to dance.. We just have to.”
-Asking Eric random interview questions.
His favorite color is blue. He used to have a ponytail when he was younger. And, for the record, some of his shirts ARE made of 100% linen!!! Hopefully, he’ll wear a linen shirt next Thursday, the last day of class. Feel free to join in the linen-wearing party!
PS. Lucy’s going to be bringing in delicious baked goods on Tuesday. I will bake cupcakes. What’s the occasion? We don’t know! =D
Have a great weekend!
Assignment: Check e-mails to find out about our soon-to-be-due creative response.
On this day,
-We read our “Explode a moment”’s aloud, except for Lucy, who read her free-writing assignment about how she was feeling. (Our 10-minute free-writing was either about that or a description of the room/ our surroundings.)
-We heard some thoughts, learned some things, and shared some laughs. =D
Thursday, July 31, 2008
-We went to see Battleworks at the Joyce Theatre.
-We had a talk-back with Robert Battle.
Highlights of the Night:
-Ketchup’s reaction: It had the greatest affect on me. I texted my friend during intermission and said, “Tomorrow, we have to dance.. We just have to.”
-Asking Eric random interview questions.
His favorite color is blue. He used to have a ponytail when he was younger. And, for the record, some of his shirts ARE made of 100% linen!!! Hopefully, he’ll wear a linen shirt next Thursday, the last day of class. Feel free to join in the linen-wearing party!
PS. Lucy’s going to be bringing in delicious baked goods on Tuesday. I will bake cupcakes. What’s the occasion? We don’t know! =D
Have a great weekend!
Assignment: Check e-mails to find out about our soon-to-be-due creative response.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The Battle Tomorrow
BATTLEWORKS DANCE COMPANY See Robert Battle's Reel Time, a collaboration with composer John King that explores social interactions through a deconstruction of traditional folk dance. Juba, a company premiere, will feature a live rendition of John Mackey's propulsive string and percussion score. Completing the evening will be two new solos, Ella and In/Side, and the perennial favorite Overture.
Regular Ticket Price
$34; Joyce Members $26
Your Ticket Price
FREE!
WHERE TO GO and WHEN TO GET THERE....
The Joyce Theater
175 8th Ave. (at the corner of 19th St.)
New York, NY 10011
By subway:
A, C, E, to 14th Street OR the L train to 8th Avenue OR the 1 train to 18th Street (& 7th Ave.)Be at the Joyce Theater no later than 7:30pm!
Your assignment:
A little pre-show research. (Research is such an...academic word. Sorry.) Check out Robert Battle, The Battleworks Dance Company, and The Joyce Theater. Read over their websites, look at their organization missions, browse Robert's biography. There are Battleworks videos on YouTube and reviews of their work available if you just drop the company name in a Google search. Come with some understanding of what you're going to see - and maybe with a few questions you'd ask Robert!
See you at 7:30 tomorrow evening!
$34; Joyce Members $26
Your Ticket Price
FREE!
WHERE TO GO and WHEN TO GET THERE....
The Joyce Theater
175 8th Ave. (at the corner of 19th St.)
New York, NY 10011
By subway:
A, C, E, to 14th Street OR the L train to 8th Avenue OR the 1 train to 18th Street (& 7th Ave.)Be at the Joyce Theater no later than 7:30pm!
Your assignment:
A little pre-show research. (Research is such an...academic word. Sorry.) Check out Robert Battle, The Battleworks Dance Company, and The Joyce Theater. Read over their websites, look at their organization missions, browse Robert's biography. There are Battleworks videos on YouTube and reviews of their work available if you just drop the company name in a Google search. Come with some understanding of what you're going to see - and maybe with a few questions you'd ask Robert!
See you at 7:30 tomorrow evening!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Summer TRaC at Deitch Projects
OS GEMEOSTOO FAR TOO CLOSE
June 28 — August 09, 2008
18 Wooster Street, New York
In Too Far Too Close, Os Gemeos will be transforming the gallery into a fantastical cityscape with houses, doors, and passageways, all brought to life with their signature style of imagery. Building upon a group of artworks created for the Museum Het Domein in the Netherlands, this show features new paintings, sculpture, and installation bringing all the magical moments of their work together in one tightly knit dream world of an exhibition.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Meat Love
As I mentioned....
Jan Švankmajer (born 4 September 1934 in Prague) is a Czech surrealist artist. His work spans several media. He is known for his surreal animations and features, which have greatly influenced other artists such as Tim Burton, Terry Gilliam, The Brothers Quay and many others.
Švankmajer has gained a reputation over several decades for his distinctive use of stop-motion technique, and his ability to make surreal, nightmarish and yet somehow funny pictures. He is still making films in Prague at the time of writing.
I posted a Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat film montage on the TRaC Facebook page, too, if you want to check that out.
Jan Švankmajer (born 4 September 1934 in Prague) is a Czech surrealist artist. His work spans several media. He is known for his surreal animations and features, which have greatly influenced other artists such as Tim Burton, Terry Gilliam, The Brothers Quay and many others.
Švankmajer has gained a reputation over several decades for his distinctive use of stop-motion technique, and his ability to make surreal, nightmarish and yet somehow funny pictures. He is still making films in Prague at the time of writing.
I posted a Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat film montage on the TRaC Facebook page, too, if you want to check that out.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Tuesday and Thursday, July 22 and 24, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
At our third class, we
-Free-wrote about a fly, watching our writing process, for about 20 minutes. Then, some of us shared.
-Got into pairs to discuss an article of Whisper and of Passing Strange in The New York Times.
-Got into other pairs to review each other’s work.
-Got a revised copy of “Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start to Write About a Performance.”
Thursday, July 24, 2008
We went to
-The Drawing Center to see the works of Frederick Kiesler in the Main Gallery.
-The building across the street to see the Drawing on Film exhibit. This exhibit was entrancing and hypnotizing.. literally!
-Deitch and were awe-struck by its colorfulness, the last ten minutes it was open. It was a really fun place to hang out! (“The Love Shack” and “The Dance Club”)
-See the recreation of Keith Harring’s Houston and Street and Bowery Mural.
-We got/ collected handouts from the museums.
Espo: I was the only one that signed the guest books. 0=]
Assignments
1) Send Eric any revised drafts of your work.
2) Let him know if you want particular feedback on anything.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The Drawing Center tomorrow!
Bärbel Neubauer, "Roots," 1996. 35mm film, 3:44 min. © Bärbel Neubauer. Courtesy Center for Visual Music. (Film still.)Tomorrow, we go downtown to the only non-profit institution in the country to focus on the exhibition of drawings: aptly named, THE DRAWING CENTER. It was established in 1977 to "demonstrate the significance and diversity of drawings throughout history, to juxtapose work by master figures with work by emerging and under-recognized artists, and to stimulate public dialogue on issues of art and culture."
We'll be seeing one of their current exhibitions (on its last day!) called "Drawing on Film." From the website: "Drawing on Film will survey the practice of “direct film”—the process of drawing, scratching, or otherwise manipulating film stock to create images without a camera. The exhibition will present works spanning from the late 1930s to the present and will highlight an overlooked facet of experimental film. Many of the works to be exhibited are seminal films in the history of the genre—including Len Lye's A Colour Box and Norman McLaren's Blinkity Blank—while other, more contemporary works are being screened for the first time."
Leading us through the exhibition will be one of the curators of the show, Joanna Kleinberg! (What is a curator, you ask? Click here, I say.)
WHERE AND WHEN TO MEET:
(You have two options.)
EITHER: come to the High 5 office by 3:45pm and a group of us will head downtown together. We're leaving as soon as everyone who is coming to meet us gets there. Write eric an email if you are coming to High 5 at 3:45.
OR: meet us at The Drawing Center at 4:20pm, sharp! The Drawing Center is located at 35 Wooster Street in Manhattan. You can take nearly every train to get there.....
If you are traveling on the 
Do some research about the show on the The Drawing Center website.
And don't forget your little notebook + pen.
See you tomorrow!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
The Bunny Is Watching...
Tuesday July 15, 2008
Our second meeting as a group at the Blaustein building on 56th street went quite smoothly. We were honored to have Eisa Davis with us who answered our questions and described many aspects of our life to us. She was amused when we showed her the interview we had used to get some background information about her found here. Once she left, a mini-writer’s workshop began as we discussed our experiences writing the review for Whisper and Passing Strange.
Wednesday July 16, 2008
Pizza and a movie night! We watched THE BIG LEBOWSKI. Anyone who hasn't seen this movie should go ahead and find it!
Thursday July 17, 2008
We took a trip to two places on Thursday. First, we headed over to PS1 in Long Island City to see a beautiful but slightly creepy exhibit. The quiet and serenity of the bunnies still drives chills down my spine. We then headed over to Robert Lazzerini's studio in Brooklyn to talk to him and discuss his art, his life and what it means to be an artist in today's world.
Our second meeting as a group at the Blaustein building on 56th street went quite smoothly. We were honored to have Eisa Davis with us who answered our questions and described many aspects of our life to us. She was amused when we showed her the interview we had used to get some background information about her found here. Once she left, a mini-writer’s workshop began as we discussed our experiences writing the review for Whisper and Passing Strange.
Wednesday July 16, 2008
Pizza and a movie night! We watched THE BIG LEBOWSKI. Anyone who hasn't seen this movie should go ahead and find it!
Thursday July 17, 2008
We took a trip to two places on Thursday. First, we headed over to PS1 in Long Island City to see a beautiful but slightly creepy exhibit. The quiet and serenity of the bunnies still drives chills down my spine. We then headed over to Robert Lazzerini's studio in Brooklyn to talk to him and discuss his art, his life and what it means to be an artist in today's world.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Tuesday and Thursday, July 15 and 17, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
-Today, Eisa Davis from Passing Strange came to visit us! We got to interview her and listen to what it’s like to work with the cast and crew. Eisa, a Harvard-graduate, is currently a successful actress, playwright, and singer-songwriter.
Thanks for your time, Eisa, and break a leg on your final performances!
-We discussed the challenges of our writing.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
-We went to P.S. 1/ MoMA
-We visited Robert Lazzarini's studio.
Assignments 1 & 3 (Email to eric by Sunday!)
Assignment 2 (in your notebook before Tuesday!)
1) Using one [or two] of your reviews, bump up the word count to anywhere from 500-600. (Use the “Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start to Write About a Performance” sheet as your guide.) Bring two copies to class.
2) Set aside some time, free-write about the face of someone you love for minimum 15 minutes. Go as long as you can. Just don't stop in the time you set for yourself!
3) Write minimum 200 hundred word creative response about what impacted you the most at the MoMA/ P.S. 1. or Robert Lazzarini’s studio. Could be a play, an essay, a poem, a review.... whatever. Just make it powerful. Bring two copies to class.
[Thanks for posting this Espo! Note my changes in yellow......eric]
-Today, Eisa Davis from Passing Strange came to visit us! We got to interview her and listen to what it’s like to work with the cast and crew. Eisa, a Harvard-graduate, is currently a successful actress, playwright, and singer-songwriter.
Thanks for your time, Eisa, and break a leg on your final performances!
-We discussed the challenges of our writing.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
-We went to P.S. 1/ MoMA
-We visited Robert Lazzarini's studio.
Assignments 1 & 3 (Email to eric by Sunday!)
Assignment 2 (in your notebook before Tuesday!)
1) Using one [or two] of your reviews, bump up the word count to anywhere from 500-600. (Use the “Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start to Write About a Performance” sheet as your guide.) Bring two copies to class.
2) Set aside some time, free-write about the face of someone you love for minimum 15 minutes. Go as long as you can. Just don't stop in the time you set for yourself!
3) Write minimum 200 hundred word creative response about what impacted you the most at the MoMA/ P.S. 1. or Robert Lazzarini’s studio. Could be a play, an essay, a poem, a review.... whatever. Just make it powerful. Bring two copies to class.
[Thanks for posting this Espo! Note my changes in yellow......eric]
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
ART in LIC. Queens, baby!
Week 2 outing: ART in Long Island City, Queens. 4:30 - 7pmWe're heading to PS 1 MoMA and Robert Lazzarini's studio tomorrow. First we'll see Arctic Hysteria and see what it means to be funded and shown by the most powerful modern art institution in the world; then we'll head to Robert's studio and speak with him about his work and how an artist lives in the NYC art world.
WHERE AND WHEN TO MEET:(You have two options.)
EITHER: come to the High 5 office by 3:45pm and a group of us will head over together. We're leaving as soon as everyone who is coming to meet us gets there. Write eric an email if you are coming to High 5 at 3:45.
OR: meet us at PS 1 MoMA at 4:30pm. PS 1 MoMA is located at 22-25 Jackson Ave at the intersection of 46th Ave in Long Island City, Queens. Directions by subway, bus and metro north is linked here on the PS 1 website. The E, V, 7 or G train will work for you. Use http://www.hopstop.com to figure out the best subway route - and how much time it will take you to get there. Plan ahead, and be on time!
See you tomorrow....in Queens!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
What's inside is NOT a lie.
OUR FIRST WEEK!!!
Tuesday July 8th, 2008
Our first week has been quite and interesting and busy one. The first meeting at the Blaustein Building kicked off nicely with everyone’s amiable demeanor helping lighten the atmosphere and helping everyone get to know each other. Eric cleverly maneuvered the class into intriguing conversations about reviews and criticism, a perfect way to start out our summer as Teen Critics in TRaC. Surprising us with a spontaneous (but planned) visit to Tom Sachs’ Bronze Collection, the group got a chance to go experience each other’s company outside our conference room and in a setting that we have to get used to over the next few weeks.
Wednesday July 9th, 2008
Then came Passing Strange at the Belasco Theater. Our first theater experience together was delightful and as cheesy as this sounds, a magical one. Stew’s charm settles upon everyone reverberating all of the key elements of the musical in a unique but broadway-esque manner. We took a few pictures after the show and in general, everyone had an AWESOME time.
Thursday July 10th, 2008
On Thursday, we ended up at Public Space 122 for the peculiar but interesting proto-type performance, Whisper. A new take on the perception of reality, the shadows danced around for 50 minutes as many of our minds simply stumbled through keeping up and patiently listening to the incessant and powerful dripping of water. I might have a bit of a problem writing that review tonight. That’s all for this week folks!
---Sahil
Tuesday-Thursday; July 8th, 9th, and 10th, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
At the Blaustein Building, we
-Introduced ourselves [while making use of nametags]
-Analyzed different types of advertisements/ front pages (magazines, newspapers..)
-Got into groups to read/ discuss articles, such as a concert review by a sportswriter
-Discussed the differences/ similarities between reviews and criticisms
At the Lever House Art Collection on Park Avenue, we
-Viewed sculptures, exhibiting the works of Tom Sachs
-Free-wrote for about 7 minutes (stream of consciousness)
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
-We saw Passing Strange at the Belasco Theatre. For a few of us, it was our second time, but for the majority, it was the first.
-We took pictures before and after the show.(One lady even decided to get in the picture with us!)
-Espo: “I stayed after to meet some actors, and I got to go ‘behind to gate’ with Eric and Eisa! ”
Thursday, July 10, 2008
At P.S. 122, we
-Got a handout
-Saw Whisper at P.S. 122
-Had a talkback w/ the actors, director, producer, and sound operator
Espo’s highlight of the night: I took the L the wrong way. Thank goodness Eric was there to save the day!
Sahil’s highlight of the night: Getting to really view up-close pictures of P.S. 122’s new show, Unpronounceable Symbol
Don’t forget!
1) Your two reviews, in no standard style or tone, are due today. (Passing Strange: 250 words; Whisper: 200 words)
2) Have at least five questions ready for Eisa Davis.
See you next Tuesday!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
WHISPER tonight
Proto-type Theater presents:
WHISPER
@ Performance Space 122 (a.k.a. PS 122)
150 First Avenue on the corner of East 9th Street
A blurb on the show from the PS 122 website:
WHISPER is a visually decadent, aurally immersive performance that asks the audience to question 'what is real' in a world of increasing technological sophistication. Each audience member is given a set of headphones through which they hear the voices of three live performers narrating a fictional walk through a fictional city. Obscured behind a cinematic screen, the performers are seen as shadows, silhouettes or in stark clarity, creating a fully immersive sound environment to accompany their narration.
Directed and Written by Peter S. Petralia; Performed by Alice Booth, Gillian Lees, and Andrew Westerside; Music and Sound Design by Philip Reeder. Lighting by Rebecca M.K. Makus
www.proto-type.org ( <---check out the theater company's website!!!!)
running time: 50 minutes
Remember your little notebooks, pens and find PS 122 by 7:30pm so we can all go in together at 7:45pm sharp!
DIRECTIONS: (click here for your hopstop link to use...)
Performance Space 122 is located at 150 First Avenue on the corner of East 9th Street in the heart of NYC's East Village. It is easily reached on foot or by taxi, train or bus.
WHISPER
@ Performance Space 122 (a.k.a. PS 122)
150 First Avenue on the corner of East 9th Street
A blurb on the show from the PS 122 website:WHISPER is a visually decadent, aurally immersive performance that asks the audience to question 'what is real' in a world of increasing technological sophistication. Each audience member is given a set of headphones through which they hear the voices of three live performers narrating a fictional walk through a fictional city. Obscured behind a cinematic screen, the performers are seen as shadows, silhouettes or in stark clarity, creating a fully immersive sound environment to accompany their narration.
Directed and Written by Peter S. Petralia; Performed by Alice Booth, Gillian Lees, and Andrew Westerside; Music and Sound Design by Philip Reeder. Lighting by Rebecca M.K. Makus
www.proto-type.org ( <---check out the theater company's website!!!!)
running time: 50 minutes
Remember your little notebooks, pens and find PS 122 by 7:30pm so we can all go in together at 7:45pm sharp!
DIRECTIONS: (click here for your hopstop link to use...)
Performance Space 122 is located at 150 First Avenue on the corner of East 9th Street in the heart of NYC's East Village. It is easily reached on foot or by taxi, train or bus.
Or rock these Subways:
L train to 1st Avenue
F/V train to 2nd Avenue
N/R to 8th Street
6 to Astor Place
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
passing strange in the afternoon
First class down, two thumbs up!
And we're just getting started.
Next on our summer agenda, we'll be Passing Strange.....
Running time: 2 hours and 20 minutes, including one 15 minute intermission.
Find the venue by 1:30 and make sure to be there by 1:45, the absolute latest. That's when we're heading in. After the show we'll do a quick sidewalk break-down before we split up.
The Belasco Theater
111 West 44th Street
(between Broadway and 6th Avenue)
Click here for Hopstop directions.
Check out more info on the Passing Strange homepage.
Don't forget your small notebooks and a pen for jotting down ideas, words, phrases, etc. during the show. Be discreet with them during the performance (no ruffling papers during quiet scenes!).
A few people asked about dress code. Anything you want to this show.
Oh, and one final thought for today on reviews vs. criticism. The key is not to simply say "this is bad" or "this is good." The interesting part - the core of we want to get at - is the WHY. Check out this TRaC post from last December: 2 questions to always consider....
Get it.
Is it starting to feel REAL????
We'll see tomorrow......
And we're just getting started.
Next on our summer agenda, we'll be Passing Strange.....
Running time: 2 hours and 20 minutes, including one 15 minute intermission.
Find the venue by 1:30 and make sure to be there by 1:45, the absolute latest. That's when we're heading in. After the show we'll do a quick sidewalk break-down before we split up.
The Belasco Theater
111 West 44th Street
(between Broadway and 6th Avenue)
Click here for Hopstop directions.
Check out more info on the Passing Strange homepage.
Don't forget your small notebooks and a pen for jotting down ideas, words, phrases, etc. during the show. Be discreet with them during the performance (no ruffling papers during quiet scenes!).
A few people asked about dress code. Anything you want to this show.
Oh, and one final thought for today on reviews vs. criticism. The key is not to simply say "this is bad" or "this is good." The interesting part - the core of we want to get at - is the WHY. Check out this TRaC post from last December: 2 questions to always consider....
Get it.
Is it starting to feel REAL????
We'll see tomorrow......
Monday, July 7, 2008
Critics Swap
Back in June in the British newspaper, The Guardian, the arts and sports critics swapped work for a day to see what would happen—a dance critic on horse racing, visual arts critic on football, theater critic on darts and a rock critic on cricket; a rugby columnist on the opera, a tennis writer on the visual arts, golf writer on classical music, and so on...
Arts Critics on Sports… http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jun/17/1
Sports Writers on the Arts… http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jun/18/art.pop
Take a look at these. It's going to be a lot like this for most of us. Fish out of water. Foreign territory. We're not experts. We're not supposed to be! We're just thinkers, out and about, open to new ideas and ways of seeing.
This should take the pressure off. Writing is writing. Doesn't matter if it's sports you focus on, or arts you love. If you write, you can write about anything....
See you all tomorrow!
Arts Critics on Sports… http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jun/17/1
Sports Writers on the Arts… http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jun/18/art.pop
Take a look at these. It's going to be a lot like this for most of us. Fish out of water. Foreign territory. We're not experts. We're not supposed to be! We're just thinkers, out and about, open to new ideas and ways of seeing.
This should take the pressure off. Writing is writing. Doesn't matter if it's sports you focus on, or arts you love. If you write, you can write about anything....
See you all tomorrow!
Where do we meet?
SUMMER TRaC will meet for the first class on Tuesday, July 8th from 4:30 - 7pm at the Jacob Blaustein Building, (not at The Public Theater).
The Jacob Blaustein Building is located at 165 East 56th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenue. The entrance is directly across the street from a store called Image Carpets. Check out the map below....
View Larger Map
You can walk there easily from the 59th STREET subway station (take the F, N, R, W, 4, 5, or 6) or from the 51st STREET subway station (take the E, V, or 6).
Go to www.Hopstop.com for the best, best, best website EVER to get around NYC. You put in your starting address and your destination address and it gives you detailed street and subway/bus directions. Did I say Hopstop.com was the best thing ever? It is. Use it and NYC is yours to explore.
SPECIAL NOTE :::: Bring an ID with you. Anything with your name on it.
Also, please bring a pen you like and pick up notebook (if you can by tomorrow). It should have approx 75 or more pages, and be at least 9" by 7." Something you could see yourself carrying with you everywhere you go. Mine looks like this beauty on the left.
Looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow!
The Jacob Blaustein Building is located at 165 East 56th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenue. The entrance is directly across the street from a store called Image Carpets. Check out the map below....
View Larger Map
You can walk there easily from the 59th STREET subway station (take the F, N, R, W, 4, 5, or 6) or from the 51st STREET subway station (take the E, V, or 6).
Go to www.Hopstop.com for the best, best, best website EVER to get around NYC. You put in your starting address and your destination address and it gives you detailed street and subway/bus directions. Did I say Hopstop.com was the best thing ever? It is. Use it and NYC is yours to explore.
SPECIAL NOTE :::: Bring an ID with you. Anything with your name on it.
Also, please bring a pen you like and pick up notebook (if you can by tomorrow). It should have approx 75 or more pages, and be at least 9" by 7." Something you could see yourself carrying with you everywhere you go. Mine looks like this beauty on the left.
Looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow!
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