blog 12

Milk

Milk is an Academy Award winning movie that depicts the latter life of Harvey Milk. Harvey was a politician who fought to change not only his city of San Fransico but eventually lead to national change. Harvey, being a gay man sought rights for people of his same sexual orientaion and to better his community. In the movie Harvey is portrayed by Sean penn who does an excellent job, bringing power and emotion to the role and also winning an Academy Award for the part.. Throughout the movie Harvey is faced with many challenges that challenge civil rights and Harvey, filled with devotion lead a revolution of sorts. A member of the San Fransicos borad of Superivsor, Harvey accomlished many things and won many rights for the LGBT community. He devised plans to get the world open to the gay culture at a time where things like homsexuality was strictly behind closed doors. Sadly Harvey was killed by a fellow politician who became estranged with Harvey; The man Guilty of the crime was Dan White who also assinated the mayor of San Fransisco George Moscone, who also fought for right of all people. In the movie you see how Harvey was able to accomplish what he did because of the support he got from close friends, friends who helped him ignite a change.

I found the movie very enlightining. I felt like Harvey was a peorson who could've changed the world. Although im not gay I could reqalize the effect he had on peples lives. No matter what Harvey was fighting for one just realizes the depth of a cuase and the fight for civil rights and recognition. I find the movie relevant to today because not only the fight going on for gay marriage ecspeacially in California but because of what change as a country we have been through, things like a African American president. Just like the election was able to bring countless numbers of new voters, Harvey was able to gather new voters to help get the change a reality. Harvey was an inspiring man who will always be remembered as someone who fought and won change for a group of people who deserve the same as everyone else.

"If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door."

-Harvey Milk

Color brought to life

Recently while on the computer I came across the website of Poras Chaudhary. Chaudhary is a photographer who captures some amazing pictures in his country of India. He began his career as a photogapher in the 2000s and since has captured amazing images. Though all of Poras' work is fascinating one gallery of his caught my eye. It was of the festival of Holi in India. Before seeing Chaudhary's website I have never heard of Holi and so I reasearched it. According to the website religionfacts.com, Holi is the celebration of the coming of spring. Its a holiday rejoycing in the diverse colors of the springtime. The wesbsite also states the following "Holi also commemorates various events in Hindu mythology, but for most Hindus it provides a temporary opportunity for Hindus to disregard social norms, indulge in merrymaking and generally "let loose." The main intriguing part of Holi is the things the people take part in. During the two day celebration, people all around through colored powder and water to make a color explosion.

Though to know the real expeirence of Holi you would have to be there the pictures do say a thousand words. To me its like art is coming alive, color is moving and interacting. I feel that the color is simply awesome. I would love to partake in a celebration of such proportion. Altough it might seem stupid to be throwing powder at your friends its not, its a celebration of friend and color. The people celebrating let go and move with the events. To me it seems like a Intriguing holiday for and even more intriguing culture.

http://www.poraschaudhary.com/

blog 10

Towelhead

Towelhead is a exciting nevel by Alicia Erian. The novel is the experiences of a young 13 year old girl named Jasira. Jarirsa is forced to go and move in with her Lebanese father in texas because of her mother feared that her own boyfriend was starting to gain feelings for her daughter.Her father is extremely strict and Jasira does not mix well with his rules. Jasira starts to go through natural adolescent awakenings while at her father's house. She also begins to babysit her next door neighbors son which starts her relationship with the married man, father to the boy she babysits. After many awkward yet mind altering events Jasira goes through she her relationship with her neighbor, named Mr.Vuoso turns into a sexual one. Jasira believes at first that she is in love with this man for all the feelings she get when she is by him but then realizes Mr.Vuoso is actually manipulating her into having such affairs with him. Jasria also befriends a next door neighbor named Melina. A newlywed and soon-to-be mother, Melina takes Jasira under her wing and tries to protect especially when she notices something is going on between the misguided Jasira and Mr.Vuoso. The novel is concluded with an announcement that lead to trouble for one and rejoicing for another.

TowelHead is an addictive novel. It took me one day to finish the book because I didn't want to eve put it down. I loved how easily it flowed and although it was shocking at sometimes its just too good to put it down. The novel deals with two problems, 1) the awkwardness of being different in a community of no uniqueness and 2) the way a young adult can be lured into do acts not suitable for them. TowelHead is a must read and i would recommend it to anyone who enjoys books about real life situations even if they might not be familiar to you.

Mad about "Mad Men"

 "Mad Men" is a Emmy award winning television show that airs on AMC. IT revolves around the life of men who work at an advertisement company in New York City during the 1960s. More specifically is centers around the life of on ad man, Don Drapper. The show deals with the temptation of the other sex in the workplace, troubled marriages, and the troubles that come along with the business of advertisement. Don Drapper, the main character, is on of the leading ad man at the company Sterling and cooper, he has a wife and two kids. Don, an avid smoker and drinker frequents sexual relationships with other women than his wife as do most of the other married men in the show.

 The show is historically accurate to the era it takes place in. While watching the show you feel like you were thrust into the 60s which make the show so realistic. Its al well written and I think that it's an hour better spent than watching mindless reality t.v.  The show makes you wonder if this was truly like the life of a business man in the 60s. I think this show deserves a lot of praise for the clever story lines and interesting characters. While watching the show I feel like I never want it to end.  Although many kids might not be interested in this type of drama I think they should give it a try. I believe one episode is enough to  convince you to peruse watching the rest of the season. "Mad Men" has quickly become one of my favorite shows and its easy to start watching at any point but I would advise people interested in actually watching the show to rent the first season to catch up.

Frida, The woman behind the canvas.

Frida Kahlo was a mexican painter born july 6th 1907. Though her life was turbulent at times she did experience success with her artwork. Her real recognition came after the end of her life in 1954. Her paintings were something unique of her time and is what gave her notoriety. In 2002 Frida's life was depicted in the movie "Frida". The movie brought new meaning of her art to me personally because now i was able to visualize what convinced her to paint what she did.

 In the movie you learn that Frida was a believer that women were just as capable as men. Throughout the movie she challenges the typical looks of a women and their roles. She fashioned a unibrow and once dressed as a man in a family picture. Frida being in a bus accident was confined to a body cast and was unable to move which is when her artistic abilities began to flourish. After recovering, Frida was able to walk again and met her soon to be husband Diego rivera a fellow artist. They marry and do not have the easiest life as a couple. They travel to New York City in order for Diego to paint a mural at Rockfeller center but because of confronting ideas his mural was taken down. While in New York Frida has relations with women while in N.Y.C. and experiences a miscarriage. She then returns to mexico for her mother funeral and leaves Diego because his mounting infidelity peaks when he sleeps with her her sister forcing their departure from one another. Soon after Frida has an affair with Alexander Trotsky, remarries Diego and once again becomes disabled after the amputation of her foot and eventually dies.

 Frida's paintings were based in surrealism. She took event in life to feed her paintings. As her life progresses it is clearly evident of the hardships she endured. Her art was challenging at her time and was what made her so different and admired. Out of all of her work I find the paiting "My Birth" to be such a stimulating image that shows the pain Frida felt. To some it might be somewhat disguisting but they need to realize the misery she faced.I Think the movie shows the real truth of Frida's life and one is able to sympathize with the troubled artist. I like the way it was directed and found it enjoyable to watch.

Born into Brothels

Born into Brothels is an academy award winning documentary that chronicles the time that its director Zani Briski. Briski spends her time in the the red light district of Calcutta in India documents the lives of children born of prostitutes. Throughout her time spent in the brothel  Zani is able to befriend many of the kids and thus she sets on out a mission to teach the children the art of photography. She teaches them the basics of beginner photography. She gives them all basic cameras to which the children are to take pictures of anything they wish. The end results are something quite note-worthy for the level that they are at. Not only does Zani dedicate herself to teaching photography to the children she also helps the kids by trying to improve their educational opportunities. She insists upon having the children be entered into formal schools only so that they they can flourish as intellectuals. I find this the most important part of her time in Calcutta because she was able to take these kids out of the brothel and into boarding schools. This has altered their lives from being stuck in slums of life into the ability of having a life well valued. The way she is able to afford schools for them is from the money she receives from selling their photographs. This documentary is Heart-breaking and makes the viewer question all that they take for granted like a good education; throughout the documentary the kids repeatedly say that they would love to actually go to a school.  The fact that the art  photography has such an impact on the lives of these unfortunate children. This shows how great an art is to the advancement of well-rounded adults. The children's work has been in exhibits in amsterdam as shown in the documentary and one of the children was even asked to be present to represent the children. Zani Briski did not stop at only helping children in the red light district of calcutta but has also had programs which are called Kids with Cameras in other countries such as Haiti, Jerusalem, and Cairo. Briski's commitment to exposing children to photography is inspiring to all. I found Born into Brothels  to be a movie that will make you hope for the enrichment of children all around the world.

This is the website for Kid with Cameras where you can find all the work by the children and history about the program:    http://kids-with-cameras.org/home/

'Metamorphosis', a novella by Fanz Kafka

The 'Metamorphosis' is a novella that details the events of the nightmarish-tale of Gregor Samsa. Upon waking one morning Gregor find he has become into a huge insect. The discovery of his appearance left them shocked and repulsed and even prompted his father to attack him on the basis of his horrible appearance. Left without the ability to communicate Gregor must sort out the details of what has happened to him with out any help. As the novella continues you learn that Gregor's family  was dependent on his steady income and only saw Gregor as a paycheck. Gregors sister starts to feed the hunger of Gregor but the steady flow of food begins to diminish as she starts to feel as if Gregor is a burden who consumes her time. With the occurrence of another attack by his farther Gregor was left disabled and hardly able to crawl and ultimately with the gaining of total dislike of his family Gregor eventually dies of starvation.

 I find the idea that Gregor has become a giant bug to be fascinating. Although Gregor shows little emotion one is compelled to feel bad for him for anyone who has gone through such an ordeal is emotionally crippling and to express that did not come easily. You learn that Gregor was the not valued by his family for who he was but for the money he was made which his father used to pay off debts acquired from a previously failed business. I think that Gregor becoming an insect symbolizes how he was not valued in his family; insects are for the most part not thought of as the best creature on planet earth like how Gregor was treated by his father. As the story progresses Gregor continues to lose any support of him by his family and essentially is left to die alone which I feel is reason enough to feel sympathy for him.  I find Kafka's ' The Metamorphosis' to be enjoying to read yet upsetting. His story is one of lost life, a life no longer valued.

For the love of music

What makes me love living in New York the most is the fact that I'm surrounded by such awesome music. In Brooklyn alone there are many different bands that although have great music, but have little recognition. The brooklyn music scene is booming. I personally listen to many indie  New york -based bands and I find there music the most appealing. These bands go under the radar because the music is deemed "unpopular". The alternative music coming from New York is a mix of all types of musics and people need to give them a chance. I know that when people listen to my ipod they instantly have the same reaction on their face "huh" as to what is this and why do you listen to it. To name a few brooklyn-based bands that I'm particularly fond of are Bear hands Grizzly Bear, Chairlift which you might recognize their song "bruises" from the apple commercial,vampire weekend who gained some notoriety this year with their self-titled debut album, MGMT, The National,White rabbits, Bishop Allen,Tv on the Radio, and two of my favorite bands Matt and Kim and The Virgins who's music is addicting. All of these bands have grown to be staples in my i-pod. music is influenced from all types of music and all eras.Of course these are not the only bands from new york but these are bands who I know produce quality music. The great thing about all these bands is that we live right where their located so anyone is able to go see them perform somewhere like at different venues across N.Y.C and festivals like the Siren festival in Coney Island . All of these bands have a diverse type of music, which I why I like brooklyn music so much because I'm able to so much variety all the while supporting brooklyn. At the end of this blog i hope that people who read this become more accepting of all types of music and not only the songs blasted from and selected by a radio station. I think that if one would take the initiative to give some of these bands a chance and check out their music, they might be pleasantly surprised. I also hope people dig deep for new and different types of music even if not from New York at least a new genre of music because the finds will be well worth it. Whenever i find a song I like it doesn't matter what type of music it is as long as it is pleasing to my ear.

Looking For Alaska

Looking For Alaska is a novel by one of my favorite authors John Green. It is told in the first person point of view so one is able to feel the pain, love and lost felt by the main character. The novel is the detailed events of one semester of boarding school experienced by the main character Miles a young teen who finds excitement in remembering the last words spoken by historical figures. Miles is a socially inept teenager who resides in Florida but leaves his old life behind while he enters boarding school. While at boarding school miles meets a girl named alaska. Miles also encounter other character that help to carry the story line. Throughout the novel Miles and Alaska's relationship becomes deeper and deeper and eventually leads to a love felt by miles but unacknowledged by Alaska. In the novel miles also experience the act of fraternizing with roommates and other classmates and teen experimentation with things such as drugs and sex which prove to be a shock to the once sheltered miles. Alaska and Miles share a few romantic moments but none as romantic as the one prior to the climax of the book which i will not spoil because i believe that if one where to know what happened they might never look into actually reading this novel.

    Looking For Alaska is a wonderful novel. It slowly made its way into my best pieces of literature list. The novel is similar to that of John Green the authors life and events as he too went to boarding school and some of the characters are inspired by his friend met in high school.I highly recommend this novel if you like young adult and like to read about people coming to terms with events.  Looking For Alaska made me feel many emotions which is why i love literature because the effect it can have on a person; no matter how big or how little that effect may be any effect makes the reading experience well worth it.

The boundries of art.

what do you consider to be art? Webster's dictionary defines art as aesthetic work as painting,sculpture, or music, it does not define how art should be created.I came across a street artist from new york known only as "poster boy". Some might recognize his work. He keeps his identity a secret because his art, although innovative and original is technically illegal. "Poster boy" takes bits and pieces from poster seen in places like the subway and reworks them from the boring mass-produced posters into something unique. The only tools he uses is a razor which he uses to cut out pieces from poster and put them on other posters or object. You could say "oh he should stop because what he's doing is wrong because its defacing property" but in the end he turned that boring poster into something clever and seminal. I think that his work is humorous,enjoyable to look at and sometimes even thought provoking. His art is not just there for enjoyment its a reflection of the feelings people have toward the over exposure to advertisement. if art literally has no boundaries then should artist like "poster boy" be condemned for his work or acknowledged for it?

here is a link to his flickr account which has pictures of all his work:http://www.flickr.com/photos/26296445@N05/