What Do You Think - Opera

Watch the clip (linked below) from the famous movie "Pretty Woman." Julia Roberts character, Vivian, has a rough background and has never before experienced the opera. Richard Gere's character, who is very cultured, takes her the opera and explains "You either love it or hate it." He also explains that despite the opera being in a language other than English, he believes Vivian will understand it anyway. After you've watched the clip, leave me a comment telling me what you thought; did you enjoy the clip? do you think you would enjoy opera at all? What do you think of the way they dressed for the performance? You don't have to answer all these questions. Any intelligent, appropriate comment is appreciated.

(Oh, and the opera part of the clip really starts at about the 2min30second mark, if you need to fast forward.)

Pretty Woman Clip

The Night Watch

Click on the Link to View the
The Night Watch


In the painting, Rembrandt depicted a group of militiamen in an original way. He did not paint them in neat row or sitting at their annual banquet, rather, he recorded a moment. A group of militiamen have just moved into action and are about to march off. Some of the men in the painting were not happy with how they were represented. Why do you think this might be?

Interesting Facts:

*thought of as one of the best known paintings in the world, it is also known by the name, "The Company of Frans Banning Cocq and Willem van Ruytenburch."

*it is very large (the men are life sized) at 11 ft 10in x 14 ft 4in

*For much of its existence, the painting was coated with a dark varnish which gave the incorrect impression that it depicted a night scene, leading to the name by which it is now commonly known. This varnish was removed only in the 1940s.

For your comment: Tell me whether or not "Night Watch" is a success/worthy of being so well known. Try and use art terms in your analysis (line, shape, value, texture, color, perspective) as well as what you know about the Baroque era.

Unicef Ambassadors

Earlier this term we looked at Hope for the Congo and we talked briefly about artists, musicians, dancers, and actors who have often chosen to use their popularity to bring attention to an important social cause. Today, I would like you to explore the role of UNICEF. Find out what they do, who they are, and their areas of focus. Then I would like you to brainstorm and come up with an area of focus that you believe OHS should consider helping out with. For example, in the fall when UNICEF traditionally collects coins by distributing boxes so little ones can ask for donations when they trick or treat, we could have a day in which everyone tricks and wears a costume for Halloween and the treat would be a dollar donation for dressing up. What is your idea? Be original.

Modern Baroque House

The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted (understood) detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance (excitement), and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music. The style started around 1600 in Rome, Italy and spread to most of Europe.

The aristocracy (rich land owners) also saw the dramatic style of Baroque architecture and art as a means of impressing visitors and expressing triumphant power and control. Baroque palaces are built around an entrance of courts, grand staircases and reception rooms of sequentially increasing opulence.

Click the link below and read the article about a surgeon in Texas who has created by hand several Baroque style areas in his home. Be sure to look at the photo gallery of the home (especially if you are not going to read the whole article) and for your comment, tell me what you think of it all. What do you think of the man's choice and/or reasoning for creating such work? Do you like the style of the art and architecture? why or why not? Even if you don't like it, can you admire his abilities?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/garden/18gilded.html