I have for a couple years now been wishing that I was more 'cultural'- you know the "fine art" stuff. It'd be one thing if I knew about it and had observed it or whatever and didn't enjoy it- but I feel like I haven't even given much thought to experiencing the 'finer' works. And I am hoping you guys might help me by telling me what I need to look at.
I have two areas in particular that I wish to know about- art and music.
I haven't ever given much thought about fine art- that is sculptures, paintings (which is what I would care about about the most) and other areas in that particular class. Are there any good books that I could read (or websites) that would help me get into this. I also want to start being able to think critically about art like paintings and whatnot (I'm not even skilled enough to ask the generic questions and respond with hipster answers) And which artists should I look at to get a full idea of all different movements in art.
The other area is music. I have a great love for all kinds of music- and I do enjoy the power of orchestrated pieces and all that. However, once again- I don't know the differences between the finer works of music (for my purposes I call all such music 'classical' despite the fact that I do know that is only one particular era in what I'm referring to) Are there any good books (or websites) that I could read to help me learn more? And what composers/artists should I try and listen to to get a feel and appreciation for the wide range of 'classical' music?
Posts: 980 | Registered: Aug 2005
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Hmm, Fine art is not always sculptures and music is not always composers and artists. Look around next time you go outside. Fine art is all around you. As for music, listen. Close your eyes and listen to the birds sing and the squirrels run. Or if you want, I could play my trumpet Posts: 1164 | Registered: Feb 2006
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You go right ahead and play your trumpet Jeesh- if I open my ears right I should be able to hear.
I know what you guys are saying- and I do much more of that than I used to, and am more used to that than what I'm wanting to know. I'm just trying to open myself up.
Posts: 980 | Registered: Aug 2005
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Lots of museums have online exhibits you can look at. Go to your local art museum(s) as well. Go to the library and ask the librarian to help you find what you're looking for. Check out the schedule of your local classical station and try to listen to shows that play music from many different eras. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Dude Listen to Opera Mozart's Great mass in C Minor Medieval music! There's all sorts of wonderful stuff. Like Rachmoninoff. He was so cool. And Mendelsohn. And Faure and much much more!
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003
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I do private duty nursing with a patient who is a real classical music freak. The whole time I'm there with him, he has the radio tuned in to the classical music station. And I am not only learning from that, but I am getting kind of hooked on it. I've changed a couple of my car radio presets to the classical stations now. The advantage of the radio is that you will get to hear a wide variety of classical composers and styles, and the announcer will always let you know what you are about to hear (and what you just heard). So, you might never have ever given a thought to Monteverdi, and, by hearing a sampling of his works, find out (like I did) that you are a fan.
Also, you get to listen to lots and lots of music without spending a dime. Who wants to plunk down money for a CD and then find out that Wagnerian opera is like nails down a board to your ears?
And once you've gotten to enjoy the stuff on the radio, see if you can take in a concert. Hearing the music live brings it to a whole 'nother level.
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I learn best from talking to other people. For me, gaining an appreciation of something unfamiliar (whether it be fine art, classical music, opera, ballet, etc.) it is really helpful to hang out with someone who doesn't mind sharing their knowledge.
I don't think I've been just lucky to find such folks, I think they're everywhere. People who like to share their love of something.
It's also true that you can't learn everything, and especially not overnight. If you find yourself in the presesce of someone who knows everything there is to know about one year of Mozart's life, and NOTHING else, then take it as an opportunity to learn about that one year.
Oh, and if you're really serious about this, you have to give up drinking American beer and regular potato chips. Sorry.
And if you smoke (well, really you should quit), but if you do smoke, you have to let the cigarette dangle from your lip now, and if you touch it at all, you have to either cup your hand over it, or use thumb and forefinger.
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I just found a station that plays a lot of classical music- so I'll try and listen to that in my car for a while- shouldn't be too hard- especially since I've been bored of my music for a while now.
Posts: 980 | Registered: Aug 2005
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Re: Sour Cream and Onion chips...are they kettle chips? If they are, then you may chew them. If not, then you must eschew them!
Posts: 22497 | Registered: Sep 2000
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kettle chips don't come in sour cream and onion, they have green onion and yogurt, or dill and sour cream.
Posts: 5362 | Registered: Apr 2004
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"And if you smoke (well, really you should quit), but if you do smoke, you have to let the cigarette dangle from your lip now, and if you touch it at all, you have to either cup your hand over it, or use thumb and forefinger.
Now that's culture."
Criminy -- I thought the beatniks were long gone. Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
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For music you need to listen, listen, listen. When I used to teach this, I used a text "Cambridge Music Guide" It had a good collection of sample stuff on 33 rpm disks, and later on cassett tapes. I'm sure that it is a CD now. I don't know if it works in a "self directed" mode. You might consider an "intro to Music class at the local community college. If you are still in HS, some schools provide for a "dual enrollment". The class usually fills up because it punches a ticket for a BA in most schools.
Posts: 1167 | Registered: Oct 2005
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I would start by finding some Freshman level college course that covers the material in which you're interested. Try a google queries like 'music appreciation site:.edu' or 'visual art history site:.edu' to find such courses. Then print out the course syllabus, and check out the reference materials either on line or from your local library.
Once you're somewhat informed, it's great to talk to other informed people. Preferably while wearing ascots and dangling cigarettes.
Posts: 2926 | Registered: Sep 2005
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Try going to the library and looking in their music section. There will be books that can introduce you to opera and classical music. If you talk the librarian, she might even be able to show you CDs that meant as introductions to both.
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Watch MTV and text message everyone you meet on MySpace. Drive an SUV. Eat fast food at least 5 times a week. Forget everything you ever knew about geography. Get in massive debt. What else? Oh fine art. Put up some movie posters in your room. Consider yourself cultural now.
Posts: 1412 | Registered: Oct 2005
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Well, he is 17 Kwea. Pop culture, gotta love it.
Let's do 40 then. Watch M.A.S.H. reruns. Find a place that sells Iron Port soft drinks. Buy a sports car or motorcycle. Get involved in a fantasy football league. Bore your kids by making them watch John Wayne shows and then asking them 'Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya punk?' in your best Clint Eastwood voice as you continually get pummelled in Halo.
Posts: 1412 | Registered: Oct 2005
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For appreciation of the visual arts I highly recommend that you check out the series of books and DVD's by Sister Wendy Beckett.
She's a nun. She guides you through the great galleries of the world. She takes you step by step through many of the world's materpieces while explaining what makes the art great and tells you about the history of the work and how it fits into art history. Its a very engaging presentation. I think most local libraries carry at least some her books and/or DVD. Your local public prodcasting station is also likely to show it during it fund raising drive (at least mine often does).
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