Humanities and the Snowy Day

Of course, the best part of a snow day is going outside. But eventually, you have to come back in, because nobody looks good with frostbite. So what's the next best thing once you're inside?

Nominate the best movie, book, or music for entertainment on a snowy day. What makes it so weather-appropriate?

Bonus points for figuring out the title reference.

Everybody's a Critic

E.L. Doctorow argued in the essay "Quick Cuts: The Novel Follows Film into a World of Fewer Words," that films can get by without all of the exposition and dialogue that is more essential to books, and that this trend is leading to the "delitera[tion]" of film. Thus, we are becoming a society that increasingly cannot express ourselves in language, and it's all movies' fault.

Discuss. Argue. Vent.
Have movies changed the way we read? Why (not)? How? Is this a good thing?

Can you think of a book or a film that shows an extreme example of the two beginnings Doctorow discusses, either the loooong exposition of setting and character or the sudden descent in medias res just after (or before) the title credits? Do certain genres work better with one opening rather than the other?

What is the most important element of the film, the visuals, the music, the dialogue, the plot, the characterization, etc.? Why?

Due Fri., 12/18

The Leader in the Band

As we near the end of the year, and the end of the decade, it seems inevitable that we too will give in to the compulsory list-making mania that hits the media around this time. Everyone makes their top-10 of the year, top-10 of the decade, and top-10 of the new millenia lists. I'll make it a little easier (or maybe harder?) on you: the top of the list, period.

If you had to choose the most important instrument for today's music (and you can use the term "instrument" loosely, if you like), what would it be, and why?

"Well we're all in the mood for a melody..."

We'll spend most of the time between now and winter break focused on music in one form or another. Thus, what kind of melody are you in the mood for?

What music do you listen do, what do you resolutely not listen to, and why? What attracts you to a new song or band? Lyrics, popularity, beat, instrumentals, bizarre band fashion sense? How do you know if the music is any good?

Also, how do you prefer to listen to music--alone, singing along with friends, on vinyl, subwoofers blaring, through earbuds? Why? What is it about that experience that makes the music better?

And if nobody gets the title reference, I may cry. Or give you extra homework. Not sure yet.

Free Week, Part Two

Ok, this is your chance to take over the blog (within reason; no proclaiming yourself benevolent dictator or anything--that's still my title). Use this week's post to review a movie, praise a band no one's heard of but should have, point out a news story about the art world (we're starting our music unit in the coming week--did you know what heavy metal does to plants?) or continue the debate about a previous topic, etc, etc, etc....

You have to keep it school-appropriate, avoid name-calling and room destruction, and talk about a medium of art. Other than that, you're on your own, kids!

The da Vinci Codex

A codex is a compilation of manuscripts, much like the journals that Leonardo da Vinci used to record his experiments, observations, and designs. And today, we could easily assemble a new codex of all the news stories, research, and (conspiracy) theories about Leonardo that have appeared in recent years.

Take a few minutes and visit the websites for Time Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, the Discovery Channel, or How Stuff Works, and search for stories on da Vinci. What recent discoveries have been made? Is Dan Brown any good at art history? What was Leonardo's life story? Where might you be able to see exhibitions on Leonardo in a museum near you? Who stole the Mona Lisa?

Tell us about something you read, and how it compares to what you already know (or thought you knew) about this true Renaissance man. And finally, why are we still so interested in him?

This one's due Thursday, 11/5.

Invoking the Muses

The title of our blog, of course, comes from the Greek goddesses of artistic inspiration, the Muses. The ancient Greeks recognized nine sacred forms, or media, of art.

If you could be dazzlingly gifted in an art form, what would it be, and why? Do you have the soul of a poet? Do you think you can dance? Are you entranced by stage lights?

Also: we will begin our unit on artistic media with visual art. What do you know about art/art history? What types/genres/periods of visual art (painting and sculpture) and artists appeal to you?