True story:
While I did not get to experience the following event firsthand I thought it was worth sharing;
Two men who were traveling with our group had the opportunity to go to a gallery that only featured artwork done by women. The place was nearly deserted except for the women who stood a little ways away from their individual pieces. With one man working as an interpreter the other asked the different women what they were feeling or thinking when they created their painting. They were absolutely amazed at the answers. Islamic women traditionally do not share or show emotion (especially not to a stranger and especially not to a man). The artwork however provided a median that allowed the women to open up in a very unusual fashion. Many of the paintings were dark and one painting showed a woman in chains. They told the men that they felt trapped and very oppressed most of the time. Some of them even cried, overwhelmed that someone would actually take the time to not only look at their artwork but ask them about it. At the end the two men gave a donation for the women to help with the costs of supplies. Overwhelmed and crying they gave them a framed pencil drawing by one of the women. This story still amazes me that these women though they face daily oppression by their culture are able to find an emotional outlet through their artwork.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Fashion in the Middle East:
For women "fashion" is more of a religious mandate then a personal expression. Most of the people in the country I went to were completely covered with a balto headcovering and veil. It is disrespectful to take a woman's picture but this is one I found on the internet that was pretty typical:
The traditional dress of the men in the country I went to is the white dresslike outfit, sport coat worn overtop, some sort of head covering, and of course jambia at their side. Up until a year or so ago a rifle was part of the ensamble but new gun control laws have made that look obsolete in the larger cities.
Three men walking along the side of the road that demonstrate the traditional dress:
For women "fashion" is more of a religious mandate then a personal expression. Most of the people in the country I went to were completely covered with a balto headcovering and veil. It is disrespectful to take a woman's picture but this is one I found on the internet that was pretty typical:
Art of the Middle East:
I was very lucky to be able to visit the Sheba Art Gallery which featured work from different artists in the area. The man there was so helpful he did custom framing, matting, and glass cutting for the print that I bought. In the end the total cost for the GORGEOUS work of art and all the custom work: 20 American dollars.
The Art Gallery:
The beautiful painting I got at for an amazing bargain:
(its sitting on my kitchen table...I haven't decided where to hang it)
I was very lucky to be able to visit the Sheba Art Gallery which featured work from different artists in the area. The man there was so helpful he did custom framing, matting, and glass cutting for the print that I bought. In the end the total cost for the GORGEOUS work of art and all the custom work: 20 American dollars.
The Art Gallery:
The beautiful painting I got at for an amazing bargain:
(its sitting on my kitchen table...I haven't decided where to hang it)
Music of the Middle East:
These men and their traditional drums provided the background musical beat for the jambia dance. For me not only as an American but as a woman it is rare that I would have the opportunity to witness this tradition of the men but the groom and his family said our presence was an honor to them.
Architecture of the Middle East: First picture is an ancient village pronouced "Bait Bous" in English that dates back to the BC era. It was updated a few hundred years ago. Very few people live there because of the lack of anything resembling a modern convenience.
This window is typical of the architecture of many middle eastern homes. The beautiful stained glass that was everywhere really surprised me.
This architectural wonder, the famous Dar al-Hadschar Palace (Rock House), which was erected on a rock standing in the valley. There was an architect from Mexico traveling with us and he was amazed at the layout and features of this huge structure.Friday, November 2, 2007
On June 29th 2007 (the night of my 21st birthday) some friends and I went to see The Fray in concert at the Germaine Ampitheater. They are my absolute favorite band and the fact that they were in town on my birthday was amazing! They brought with them Mae and OkGo two groups that I also enjoy as well. This concert, part of the "How to Save a Life" tour was the experience of a lifetime. Their music is just so moving this middle aged man next to my friend and I was wiping away tears during the title song. The fact that we got to enjoy the Germaine Ampitheater in its last summer (it is scheduled to be torn down due to noise complaints related to its residental location) was also a plus.
Some links to music by Mae
and OK GO
(links to music by the Fray is at the left)
Saturday, October 27, 2007
CAPA SUMMER MOVIE SERIES 2007 PRESENTSSaturday & Sunday, July 21 & 22
2 & 7:30 pm daily
The Sound of Music (1965)
Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker
This summer my 12 year old brother my parents and I attended a showing of the classic movie The Sound of Music as part of the CAPA Summer Movie series. The showing was at the beautiful Ohio Theater on East States Street in Columbus which I had never previously been to. We sat in the balcony which had an amazing view of the entire theater. The movie has been a family favorite for a long time but getting to see it on the big screen was a whole other experience. Before the show they had an organist that played songs from the show that of course other fans (including my mother) sang along to. All in all I thought that the show was a great experience and I was disapointed that my work schedule prohibited me from going to any 
others this summer.
Picture of the Ohio Theater from their website. It was too dark for me to get any decent pictures with my wimpy camera flash.
Timeline from Prehistoric to Romanticism....
The bison bull and cow sculpture above dates back to the prehistoric era. Modelled in clay in the rotunda of the Tuc d'Audoubert, Ariege.The sculptures are 63 and 61 cm long respectively from left to right. I find it interesting that they have lasted this long in such relatively good condition with only a few minor cracks. I also find it interesting that they look sort of like animal crackers.
Above is an example of a Greecian Urn circa about the 5th century B.C. They used these vases to commemorate events or tell stories. Many centuries later John Keats pened the poem "Ode to a Grecian Urn" which we had to disect in one of the English classes I took in the past.
Romanesque capital (c. 1150-1200 CE)French, late 12th century Sculpture: marble16" x 19" x 12''
From the Krannert Art Museum Website: "European stonecarvers who lived in former provinces of the Roman empire could be inspired by ancient models, yet Roman carving seldom displays the whimsy characteristic of much of the sculpture and painting we call Romanesque."
Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel detail "The Creation of Adam"
This major cultural rebirth and revival began in Italy during the 1300's and spread throughout Europe until around 1650.
"During the Renaissance, the arts, architecture, literature, science and all aspects of culture received a new breath of life and relief from the relatively bleaker periods of the dark and middle ages. This was based upon the rediscovery and renewed appreciation of ancient Roman and Greek culture."
NeoClassical circa the 1700-1800's
This house is an example of Neoclassical architechture but the architecture website I was looking at described neoclassicism as a trend as more of an approach to design rather than a distinct design style. A "Neoclassic" house could resemble a Federal, Greek Revival, or Georgian house.
Romanticism
The bison bull and cow sculpture above dates back to the prehistoric era. Modelled in clay in the rotunda of the Tuc d'Audoubert, Ariege.The sculptures are 63 and 61 cm long respectively from left to right. I find it interesting that they have lasted this long in such relatively good condition with only a few minor cracks. I also find it interesting that they look sort of like animal crackers.
Above is an example of a Greecian Urn circa about the 5th century B.C. They used these vases to commemorate events or tell stories. Many centuries later John Keats pened the poem "Ode to a Grecian Urn" which we had to disect in one of the English classes I took in the past. The famous quote from that:
"'Beauty is truth, truth beauty,'- that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."
This double portait of two bearded men is from the Roman sculpture section of the Louvre. The older man is Greek philosopher Epicurus and the younger is his disciple Metrodorus. I was reading that during his life on the 20th of every month followers of Epicurus celebrated the day of his birth as a day set aside to remember the importance of his idea that, "the greatest good was to seek modest pleasures in order to attain a state of tranquility and freedom from fear"
I love the quote attributed to Epicurus: "Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you have now was once among the things you only hoped for."
Romanesque capital (c. 1150-1200 CE)French, late 12th century Sculpture: marble16" x 19" x 12''
From the Krannert Art Museum Website: "European stonecarvers who lived in former provinces of the Roman empire could be inspired by ancient models, yet Roman carving seldom displays the whimsy characteristic of much of the sculpture and painting we call Romanesque."
Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel detail "The Creation of Adam"This major cultural rebirth and revival began in Italy during the 1300's and spread throughout Europe until around 1650.
"During the Renaissance, the arts, architecture, literature, science and all aspects of culture received a new breath of life and relief from the relatively bleaker periods of the dark and middle ages. This was based upon the rediscovery and renewed appreciation of ancient Roman and Greek culture."
"Baroque literally means an uneven pearl. It came from the Portuguese word barocco. Now, it means art that is bizarre, flamboyant and elaborately ornamented. Modern historians use it simply to refer to a particular style in arts. Basically, baroque movement involve the filling up of space. Painters, sculptors, musicians were concerned with filling up the space on their scores and canvas and making their art like an elaborate stage setting."
NeoClassical circa the 1700-1800'sThis house is an example of Neoclassical architechture but the architecture website I was looking at described neoclassicism as a trend as more of an approach to design rather than a distinct design style. A "Neoclassic" house could resemble a Federal, Greek Revival, or Georgian house.
Romanticism
The Lady of Shallot by John William Waterhouse
"Romanticism was a secular and intellectual movement in the history of ideas that originated in late 18th century Western Europe. It followed the Enlightenment period and was in part inspired by a revolt against aristocratic social and political norms of the previous period, as well as a reaction against the rationalization of nature by the Enlightenment: Romanticism is an aspect of what has been called the Counter-Enlightenment. It stressed strong emotion (which now might include trepidation, awe, and horror as aesthetic experiences), legitimized the individual imagination as a critical authority (which permitted freedom within or from classical notions of form in art), and overturned some previous social conventions."
In honor of the 100th annual Cicleville Pumpkin Show famed muralist and Circleville native Eric Henn has completed a mural on the downtown Johnson building to commemorate the event.
Found at the corner of Court Street and Main Street in Circleville Ohio the mural stands52’X 36’. It features a large gray arch painted with a scene from what the artist images that the first pumpkin show looked around the turn of the century. Featured around the outside in gray matching the arch are iconic figures from pumpkin shows of old including the pumpkin man, water tower, and Lindsey’s pumpkin pie.
To Circleville locals the Pumpkin Show marks the high point of the year. Schools are out for an entire week and the town literally shuts down to celebrate everything pumpkin in what has been appropriately dubbed, “The Greatest Free Show on Earth.” Henn has captured the spirit of the larger than life event with a larger than life mural that uses its bold colors and depth to literally make you feel like you are a part of the mural and a part of the history.
Found at the corner of Court Street and Main Street in Circleville Ohio the mural stands52’X 36’. It features a large gray arch painted with a scene from what the artist images that the first pumpkin show looked around the turn of the century. Featured around the outside in gray matching the arch are iconic figures from pumpkin shows of old including the pumpkin man, water tower, and Lindsey’s pumpkin pie.
To Circleville locals the Pumpkin Show marks the high point of the year. Schools are out for an entire week and the town literally shuts down to celebrate everything pumpkin in what has been appropriately dubbed, “The Greatest Free Show on Earth.” Henn has captured the spirit of the larger than life event with a larger than life mural that uses its bold colors and depth to literally make you feel like you are a part of the mural and a part of the history.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Midterm Part One
Line- This picture was taken through the sunroof of a car while going over a bridge over the Ohio River. The lines are easy to see and are diagonal except for the support beam which to us as we are viewing the picture would be vertical.
Color – Picture of my first Christmas tree of my own in my apartment last year. The green of the tree and the red of the bows as well as the red of my couch and chaise are “complimentary colors” 
Shape – This sign from a picture I took at a park in Barboursville West Virginia show geometric shape rather than organic.
Space – This picture from the Hocking Hills shows positive space. The “canvas” is completely used up. Since the eye is drawn off the side of the picture through the trees and rocks that continue off the picture it is categorized as having “open space.”
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
MONOLOG
From The Women of
“My grandmother,” Mrs. Browne began slowly in a whisper, “was a full-blooded Iroquois, and my grandmother a free black from a long line of journeymen who had lived in
“I know all that,” Kiswana said trying to keep her lip from trembling.
“Then, know this. I am alive because of the blood of proud people who never scraped or begged or apologized for what they were. They lived asking only one thing of this world—to be allowed to be. And I learned through the blood of these people that black isn’t beautiful and it isn’t ugly—black is! It’s not kinky hair and it’s not straight hair—it just is.”
“It broke my heart when you changed your name. I gave you my grandmother’s name, a woman who bore nine children and educated them all, who held off six white men with a shotgun when they tried to drag one of her sons to jail for ‘not knowing his place.’ Yet you needed to reach into an African dictionary to find a name to make you proud.”
“When I brought my babies home from the hospital, my ebony son and my golden daughter, I swore before whatever gods would listen—those of my mother’s people or those of my father’s people—that I would use everything I had and could ever get to see that my children were prepared to meet the world on its own terms, so that no one could sell them short or make them ashamed of what they were or how they looked—whatever they were or however they looked. And Melanie, that’s not being white or red or black—that’s being a mother."
I suppose my experience with theater started as a first grader when I played the part of Mary for our church’s Christmas program. My elaborate costume was a blue bathrobe and sandals. On my head I wore a bath towel held in place with a wide white sweatband. The part of the Christ-child was played by my cabbage patch doll. (With that random childhood memory look @ the picture on the right which is me reciting a poem at a brownie gathering. Please ignore the gray sweatpants....the early 90's were a confusing time for all of us)
That Christmas marked both the beginning and the end of my dramatic career but I have always enjoyed theater (especially musicals). Probably the best that I have seen was 
Unfortunately I have never been to a “professional” play or musical but I would jump at the chance to attend if I ever had the opportunity! My dream would be to see the Broadway musical Rent with its original cast but that is impossible since they are no longer touring. That show serves as an excellent example of how societal changes can come about through art. Rent dealt with many “taboo” issues such as homelessness, homosexuality, and drug addiction that had not previously been explored on such a large scale.
From The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
“He had bent his tall figure in a low and ceremonious bow, as she finally, with another bitter little sigh, began to mount the terrace steps.
The long train of her gold-embroidered gown swept the dead leaves off the steps, making a faint harmonious sh—sh—sh as she glided up, with one hand resting on the balustrade, the rosy light of dawn making an aureole of gold round her hair, and causing the rubies on her head and arms to sparkle. She reached the tall glass doors which led into the house. Before entering, she paused once again to look at him, hoping against hope to see his arms stretched out to her, and to hear his voice calling her back. But he had not moved; his massive figure looked the very personification of unbending pride, of fierce obstinacy.
Hot tears again surged to her eyes, and as she could not let him see them, she turned quickly within, and ran as fast as she could up to her own rooms.
Had she but turned back then, and looked out once more on to the rose-lit garden, she would have seen that which would have made her own sufferings seem but light and easy to bear—a strong man, overwhelmed with his own passion and his own despair. Pride had given way at last, obstinacy was gone: the will was powerless. He was but a man madly, blindly, passionately in love, and as soon as her light footsteps had died away within the house he knelt down upon the terrace steps, and in the very madness of his love he kissed one by one the places where her small foot had trodden, and the stone balustrade there, where her tiny hand had rested last.”
“He had bent his tall figure in a low and ceremonious bow, as she finally, with another bitter little sigh, began to mount the terrace steps.
The long train of her gold-embroidered gown swept the dead leaves off the steps, making a faint harmonious sh—sh—sh as she glided up, with one hand resting on the balustrade, the rosy light of dawn making an aureole of gold round her hair, and causing the rubies on her head and arms to sparkle. She reached the tall glass doors which led into the house. Before entering, she paused once again to look at him, hoping against hope to see his arms stretched out to her, and to hear his voice calling her back. But he had not moved; his massive figure looked the very personification of unbending pride, of fierce obstinacy.
Hot tears again surged to her eyes, and as she could not let him see them, she turned quickly within, and ran as fast as she could up to her own rooms.
Had she but turned back then, and looked out once more on to the rose-lit garden, she would have seen that which would have made her own sufferings seem but light and easy to bear—a strong man, overwhelmed with his own passion and his own despair. Pride had given way at last, obstinacy was gone: the will was powerless. He was but a man madly, blindly, passionately in love, and as soon as her light footsteps had died away within the house he knelt down upon the terrace steps, and in the very madness of his love he kissed one by one the places where her small foot had trodden, and the stone balustrade there, where her tiny hand had rested last.”
Response:
The Scarlet Pimpernel was required reading for a class that I took some years ago. At first I was unimpressed with the overly dramatic dialog and the old English diction that laced the novel with words like, “Nay” and “Aye.” As the story progressed, however, I began to enjoy the story a great deal and look back on it now as one of my favorite books. The storyline of the novel is pretty complex with a large cast of characters and many twists and turns to the plotline. In the scene above the title character Percy Blakeney and his wife Marguerite’s marriage is on the rocks. He feels that he is unable to trust her with his “secret life” and she is frustrated and confused by his aloofness. The result is a tender scene which never fails to make me sigh.
The Scarlet Pimpernel was required reading for a class that I took some years ago. At first I was unimpressed with the overly dramatic dialog and the old English diction that laced the novel with words like, “Nay” and “Aye.” As the story progressed, however, I began to enjoy the story a great deal and look back on it now as one of my favorite books. The storyline of the novel is pretty complex with a large cast of characters and many twists and turns to the plotline. In the scene above the title character Percy Blakeney and his wife Marguerite’s marriage is on the rocks. He feels that he is unable to trust her with his “secret life” and she is frustrated and confused by his aloofness. The result is a tender scene which never fails to make me sigh.
Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"
He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought—
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.
And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!
One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.
"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
He chortled in his joy.
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
~Onomatopoeia (Stanza 5 Line 2 “The vorpal blade went snicker-snack”)
~Mood (Stanza 2 all 4 lines really give an ominous feeling to the reader.)
~Climax (Stanza 5 the story reaches its peak when the dreaded Jabberwock is killed!)
~Imagery (Stanza 4 Line 2 “with eyes of flame”)
~Tone (Stanza 6 Line 3 “Callooh! Callay!” you can really feel the excitement that the narrator has at the death of the Jabberwock)
~Diction (found throughout Carroll’s creation of new words by combining two or more words makes the poem original and adds the opportunity for extra description without making this poem any longer)
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"
He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought—
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.
And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!
One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.
"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
He chortled in his joy.
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
~Onomatopoeia (Stanza 5 Line 2 “The vorpal blade went snicker-snack”)
~Mood (Stanza 2 all 4 lines really give an ominous feeling to the reader.)
~Climax (Stanza 5 the story reaches its peak when the dreaded Jabberwock is killed!)
~Imagery (Stanza 4 Line 2 “with eyes of flame”)
~Tone (Stanza 6 Line 3 “Callooh! Callay!” you can really feel the excitement that the narrator has at the death of the Jabberwock)
~Diction (found throughout Carroll’s creation of new words by combining two or more words makes the poem original and adds the opportunity for extra description without making this poem any longer)
Is the function of art determined by its form?
As we have been discussing so far this semester, art can take exist in many mediums. It is not just something that you have hanging above the fireplace in your den. Art can be music, film, dance, poetry and other writings; drama…the list goes on and on. Because of the expanse of this list I think it is safe to say that the function of art cannot be determined by its form. Seeing a beautiful painting may inspire you in the same way that someone else is moved by music or a good book. To say that the function of art is limited by its form is limiting what art is supposed to be.
As we have been discussing so far this semester, art can take exist in many mediums. It is not just something that you have hanging above the fireplace in your den. Art can be music, film, dance, poetry and other writings; drama…the list goes on and on. Because of the expanse of this list I think it is safe to say that the function of art cannot be determined by its form. Seeing a beautiful painting may inspire you in the same way that someone else is moved by music or a good book. To say that the function of art is limited by its form is limiting what art is supposed to be.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Image that "Spoke to Me"
The statue of Athena from the Greek Art section of the Art History Tour. I had completely forgotten about a project I had to do in 6th grade about one of the Greek gods/goddesses. I chose Athena, the goddess of wisdom. She never really got into the soap opera drama that was so prevalent among the gods (never having a 'love interest') and was worshipped by the city of Athens. Of all the goddesses she seems like a pretty cool lady!
I first saw the film Garden State as a freshman at Rio. I sat in my cramped dorm room with the faint smell of dirty laundry in the background all I could do was mumble, “Wow.” My mouth was full of the Wal-Mart brand pretzels I had been snacking on and my head was full of Indie music. I was struck most by the storyline. The coming-of-age tale spoke to my frazzled 18 year old heart; away from home for the first time and overwhelmed by the pressure nursing school had thrust upon me. Garden State was written and directed by Zach Braff a little known actor with no writing experience at all.
The film opens with the main character, played by Zach Braff, sitting on an airplane. He stares straight ahead, emotionless, as the passengers around him panic. Hindi music obliterates any other sounds we might hear. Beside the main character a woman clutches her infant and cries, the flight attendant runs frantically down the isle, and an elderly woman clings to Braff’s arm as his face remains void of any expression. As the oxygen masks drop, he nonchalantly adjusts the direction of the air conditioning vent. The scene abruptly ends with the ringing of a telephone and the audience realizes that the sequence has been a dream. The telephone stops ringing as the answering machine takes over and Braff’s on-screen father leaves a message saying that his wife, (Braff’s mother) has died. Thus begins the main character’s trip from Los Angeles back to his hometown in New Jersey for her funeral.
The audience quickly realizes that the nonchalant attitude the main character displays in the opening dream sequence does not end upon awakening but is caused by years of overmedication with antipsychotics and antidepressants prescribed by Braff’s psychiatrist father. The rest of the film’s events chronicle his realization that there is nothing mentally wrong with him other than general unhappiness and his decision to quit taking the medications. While at home Braff also encounters some of the friends he grew up with and meets a girl (played by Natalie Portman) who provides him with the companionship he needs to face the demons from his past and open himself up to experiencing emotions again. Like the characters in the film the audience is forced to examine how they feel about life and what it means to be truly happy.
I asked a few people who have seen this movie to describe what it was about in one sentence. They all gave a different response. One said, “It’s about getting past your warped upbringing and making the best of it.” Another said, “It’s about going out into the world as your own person.” If I had been asked the question I would have replied that it is about the importance of being open to life, to emotion, and to being whoever it is that you are. The great thing is that all our answers would have all been right. All art tells a story. The story is different to the artist and to every person that experiences it. Each person brings their own individual feelings and experiences to the table and walks away with something different.
In sharp contrast to the explosion filled, big budget movies in the same genre, Garden State stands out as a quiet but powerful example of what film was meant to be: honest and thought provoking storytelling. Even after all the times I have seen it sometimes I still say “Wow” to myself during my favorite scene where Natalie Portman and Zach Braff sit intertwined at the place of his mother’s death. Iron and Wine’s “Such Great Heights” plays in the background as he says, “It hurts,” and she replies, “If nothing else that’s life. Its real and sometimes it f-ing hurts. But its sort of all we have.”
The film opens with the main character, played by Zach Braff, sitting on an airplane. He stares straight ahead, emotionless, as the passengers around him panic. Hindi music obliterates any other sounds we might hear. Beside the main character a woman clutches her infant and cries, the flight attendant runs frantically down the isle, and an elderly woman clings to Braff’s arm as his face remains void of any expression. As the oxygen masks drop, he nonchalantly adjusts the direction of the air conditioning vent. The scene abruptly ends with the ringing of a telephone and the audience realizes that the sequence has been a dream. The telephone stops ringing as the answering machine takes over and Braff’s on-screen father leaves a message saying that his wife, (Braff’s mother) has died. Thus begins the main character’s trip from Los Angeles back to his hometown in New Jersey for her funeral.
The audience quickly realizes that the nonchalant attitude the main character displays in the opening dream sequence does not end upon awakening but is caused by years of overmedication with antipsychotics and antidepressants prescribed by Braff’s psychiatrist father. The rest of the film’s events chronicle his realization that there is nothing mentally wrong with him other than general unhappiness and his decision to quit taking the medications. While at home Braff also encounters some of the friends he grew up with and meets a girl (played by Natalie Portman) who provides him with the companionship he needs to face the demons from his past and open himself up to experiencing emotions again. Like the characters in the film the audience is forced to examine how they feel about life and what it means to be truly happy.
I asked a few people who have seen this movie to describe what it was about in one sentence. They all gave a different response. One said, “It’s about getting past your warped upbringing and making the best of it.” Another said, “It’s about going out into the world as your own person.” If I had been asked the question I would have replied that it is about the importance of being open to life, to emotion, and to being whoever it is that you are. The great thing is that all our answers would have all been right. All art tells a story. The story is different to the artist and to every person that experiences it. Each person brings their own individual feelings and experiences to the table and walks away with something different.
In sharp contrast to the explosion filled, big budget movies in the same genre, Garden State stands out as a quiet but powerful example of what film was meant to be: honest and thought provoking storytelling. Even after all the times I have seen it sometimes I still say “Wow” to myself during my favorite scene where Natalie Portman and Zach Braff sit intertwined at the place of his mother’s death. Iron and Wine’s “Such Great Heights” plays in the background as he says, “It hurts,” and she replies, “If nothing else that’s life. Its real and sometimes it f-ing hurts. But its sort of all we have.”
LINK TO MOVIE TRAILER (COPY AND PASTE THIS INTO YOUR ADDRESS BAR) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u82n0e1mgmQ
Quiz Questions:
(Prehistoric) We still do not know exactly what Stonehenge is or what purpose it served. Rumored to have been built by Merlin the magician, Stonehenge may have served religious purposes for the Druids of the Middle Ages. It could have also been used as a tool to track the movement of the sun as it related to harvest times. One lighter possibility is that is was used as a gathering place for celebrations.
(Greek) The Greek culture paved the way for a lot of our modern ideas and fields of study including mathematics, democracy, sculpture, literature, philosophy and architecture.
(Roman) The Coliseum had both cultural and architectural significance. Culturally it provided a source of entertainment for the population as well as a crude but effective method of teaching them fighting techniques. Architecturally it was a colossal achievement for the time period being the largest structure of it’s time and holding a mind boggling 50,000 people.
(Middle Ages) The span of the era known as the Middles ages lasted from around 400 A.D. to 1400A.D.
(Renaissance) Three main artists of the renaissance were Raphael, Michelangelo, and daVinci. Their works include Disputa, Pieta, and the Mona Lisa respectively.
(Prehistoric) We still do not know exactly what Stonehenge is or what purpose it served. Rumored to have been built by Merlin the magician, Stonehenge may have served religious purposes for the Druids of the Middle Ages. It could have also been used as a tool to track the movement of the sun as it related to harvest times. One lighter possibility is that is was used as a gathering place for celebrations.
(Greek) The Greek culture paved the way for a lot of our modern ideas and fields of study including mathematics, democracy, sculpture, literature, philosophy and architecture.
(Roman) The Coliseum had both cultural and architectural significance. Culturally it provided a source of entertainment for the population as well as a crude but effective method of teaching them fighting techniques. Architecturally it was a colossal achievement for the time period being the largest structure of it’s time and holding a mind boggling 50,000 people.
(Middle Ages) The span of the era known as the Middles ages lasted from around 400 A.D. to 1400A.D.
(Renaissance) Three main artists of the renaissance were Raphael, Michelangelo, and daVinci. Their works include Disputa, Pieta, and the Mona Lisa respectively.
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