Electisism - the New Fad!!!! Awesome!!!

I would just to reflect upon societal movements and some other ideas discussed last week that apply in my daily thoughts.







First off, I think that social movements arise out of either a melding of differences, or a clashing of them. For example, the 60s hippie music movement arose due to a rebellion against the proper life being led by the people growing up in the 50s. There was the introduction of new religions, new schools of thought, LSD (a topic I will discuss later), and the realization of music as freedom. The Rock, Blues, and Jazz movements of the past were melding and creating a much freer form of universal language (music). This "Rock 'N Roll" music led the way for almost all music we have now adays. One particular movement, in England, that began from a similar anti-societal desire for freedom was the Punk Rock movement. With Bands like Joy Division, the Sex Pistols, etc. there was a rise against conformity. This rise was within the underground scene and challenged all other music. I also believe that this movement arose as a kind of anti-hippie, anti-eclectic outreach away from the societal norm. Though I was never really into the priginal punk rock movement, I do agree that I was absolutely amazing in the fact that it shocked people and opposed the mundane existence of the other people in the era. It is and was very similar to the Dada art movement of the early 1900's.

Mary Shelley's FRANKENSTEIN META-MYTH

During our class discussion about Frankenstein I realized that I had had the wrong impression about the story for my entire life. I had never read the actual novel, and I was shocked at how much I enjoy it. My personal opinion (and im sure im not alone!), is that I enjoy this portrayal of the myth infinitely more than the glamourized hollywood versions of it. I also like reading it instead of watching, solely due to the fact that I have created an entirely new picture of everything, within my head, and I love that. I have been completely surprised by this novel and I am so happy about it. The ideas behing Mary Shelley's putting forth her emotions and feelings into her work is just incredible.

I believe that Shelley, herself is Dr. Frankenstein/The Monster/and Walton, all wrapped up in one. Hell, she could possibly be ever character in the story, in one way or another! Even though she make s alot of this myth up (obviously!), she out ieces of her mind and soul into each of the characters. Dr. Frankenstein and Walton, I believe, are her own personal manifestations of her self. She believes, in some way, that she is seperate from others around her at this time. Maybe, because she is a woman, maybe because of her loss of loved ones, who knows for sure, im just streaming my thoughts, but hey some of this could be right!

Shelley might relate to the adventure aspect of the characters, in some way, due to the fact that by writing this story, she is taking on a journey bigger than herself, by trying to out beat the men. Because at this time, it was unheard of to do such a thing.

She might be like Dr. Frankenstein, also in a way, due to the fact that she wants to bring back some of her losses. The losses of her childern, as we discussed in class, are what i mean. She is expressing her mourning for her lost babies, but showing Dr. Frankensteins love for his mistakes or losses (loves his monster).


Another thing I also found interesting, was all of these interlocking, additional myths discussed. i am not very cultured when it comes to myths, and I have been enjoying any part in which some sort of new myth is discussed, simply due to the fact that it is interesting.

I, like Walton and Dr. Frankenstein, have a "thirst for knowledge", and am constantly trying to learn about new things, learn new skills, new crafts, or just experience anything that I find the slightest bit interesting. I am more than willing to try anything once, just to experience it.

I would like to go on this type of journey (Walton's Journey), and see my mortality tested. I believe it would be an eye opener for me, and might change my perspective on life.

I believe that our lives are pre determined for us, up to a certain point, and then free will comes into play. To throw in an analogy: we are dealt the cards, but we have to figure out what to do with them.

Anyone can do whatever they want with their lives, that is what seprates up from the animals, the conscious awareness that we have free will to make CHOICES. We can choose, we just have to realize it.

Axiom Gallery

Today the class went on a field trip to the Axiom Art Gallery to experience "New Media". This art was a complex combination of Art and fairly advanced technology. Some of it was kind of confusing until you were given a explanation of what it was and what it was trying to convey. But it made you think, none the less, and I believe thats what all art tries to do. I was having a conversation with my girlfriend about how some of this post-modern art i really don't like. I believe that it is too much of a collision of ideas, and there is not enough originality begin contrived out of these inspirations. But I was made to realize that I was just being narrow minded. I was shown that I just have to understand the idea of things and not try to analyze it. Just respect it for what it is trying to do. So, overall i think that coming out of this visit I thought something negative, but by the end of the day, another artist made me change my perspective into a positive one.

Miracles? Yes.

I just wanted to give my opinion of the idea of miracles. I totally believe in miracles, I've seen one with my own eyes. Granted it was a terrible situation to be in but the outcome was incredible. 

My brother was in a major car accident about 12 years ago. He was riding his bicycle across the street at night coming back to my house (in Franklin, MA), and was struck by a drunk driver. He broke his entire upper back and was sent into a coma for 3 months. It was so insane. No one ever thought that he would come out of it. He was in the intensive care unit of the hospital for almost a year. I was 12 years old. 

Every person in my family tried to talk to him while in this coma, and one day he just opened his eyes. It was one of the most amazing things i've ever seen.  Granted he was still extremely injured but the fact that he prevailed in a situation that no one thought could happen just presented a blatant miracle to every one who witnessed it. 

From that moment when he opened his eyes, the music of Bob Marley aided him in his recovery. Somehow the positive music lifted my brothers spirits up and helped him recover to his fullest extent. He just listened to everything literally and used it as motivation to a full conquering of his accident. 

The witnessing of this situation brought to my eyes the complete believeablity of a miracle happening in real life. It was one of the best things that ever happened to my family. i made all of us stronger, and brought everyone closer together. 

NYC last weekend, good times.

Last weekend I went to New York City for a few days, just to get a change of scenery. I've been In Boston for way too long and I was going insane. With my recent revelation of what I want to do with my career (Architectural Rendering). I wanted to see all of the beautiful  art museums throughout the city. They were a great combination of Art and Architecture (perfect combination actually!), and there was so much amazing art to see within them (Picasso, Dali, Monet, Pollock, Serra). I had been to MoMa once already, so I decided to visit the Guggenheim and the Met. When I arrived early Saturday morning, I immediately ventured over to the Met. As I was approaching the building I was consumed by bunches of street artists painting and selling their won, other others pieces. I met this great Italian-Argentinian oil painter, and he asked met to help him paint one of his pieces with him. I graciously accepted! It was so much fun, My girlfriend video taped the hilarious incident and proceeded to laugh the whole time. Being an artist, I was totally into it and concentrating so hard. It was awesome. We asked him for a business card  and he didn't have one so he invited us to his studio to hang out whenever we wanted. We didn't have time in our busy weekend, but we hope to contact him soon. 

We decided to skip the Met (for some dumb reason), and went directly to the Guggenheim to see the new Installation exhibit by Cai Guo-Qiang, an incredible artist from China, well known for his explosion pieces. The entire museum was converted into the exhibit and it was mezmerising. If anyone doesn't get a chance to go there before the exhibit is over, check out the website here. 

After that we just wlked around, went to a concert on Saturday evening, and walked around all day on Sunday. 

One thing that I noticed about New York, technologically, that made it more appealing to me than Boston, was the subway system. The rails and the organization of the trains is so much more clean and easy to understand that the Boston subway system (especially the Green Line, haha!). And while riding the subway, I thought about my trip to the Guggenhiem and the piece about the subway I encountered. There was a woman who had an idea to transform all of the ugly pieces of machinery within the subway, and the subway stations, into pieces of artwork, to make it more appealing to the people. I personally thought this was a brilliant idea because, who wouldn't want to look at a beautiful landscape or crazy piece of modern art painted over an ugly piece of piping, or a gigantic breaker box. This idea, I believe will help diffuse the unappealing aspect of technology and help bring emerging or currently artists into a place of recognition, and that what the world really needs instead of advertisements and television screens. 

Thanks!