미지센터의 청소년 국제교류이야기

2012 상반기, 판게아는 내 친구 2차 활동

일시: 2012년 5월 12일(토) 14:00~17:00

장소: 미지센터 나눔방

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All that Glitters

The Harry Frank Guggenheim Hall of Gems and Minerals was the first exhibit to catch my eye, and not only because of its glittering exhibits. The museum is renowned for its rare collection of unusual minerals, ranging from dazzling gemstones to bizarre rock formations. Some of the gems, explained a guide, were so renowned throughout the world that many attempted theft to gain the gems. 

The Star of India, the largest star sapphire in the world, was a favorite among the visitors for its beauty. 12 of 20 people I have interviewed stated that the Star of India was their favorite gem. The Midnight Star Ruby, the Patricia Emerald, and the de Long Ruby were also favorites among visitors. “I love the star shape of the Star of India and the Midnight Star ruby,” said a visitor. “The smooth surface and the unusual pattern make it priceless,” said another dazzled onlooker.

The rare gemstones were not the only displays that caught the attention of onlookers. Sulfur crystals, microcline formations, a quartz-amethyst geode, and many other rock formations procured looks from onlookers. “The microcline rock formation looks more like rubber or plastic,” commented an onlooker. “I like the rock-within-rock look,” said a visitor who was observing a geode. The various mineral formations, with beautiful and bizarre looks, were well received by the visitors. 

Nothing but Bones

              When I interviewed 30 visitors on their favorite exhibitions, 20 of them stated that they have enjoyed the exhibitions that displayed skeletons and fossils the most. Exhibition halls, such as sections of the Primate Hall and all of the Fossil Halls, displayed a diverse amount of skeletons. From dinosaurs to avians, the size and age of skeletons of animals were diverse and numerous.

         I found that the larger the skeleton was, the more popular it was among visitors. Out of 10 people who visited the exhibits with the skeletons and fossils, 8 of them preferred the larger fossils, such as large mammals or dinosaurs. “I love the mammoth,” exclaimed a visitor, “because I’ve never seen such a large land animal like that in my life.” It’s awe-inspiring,” added another visitor, “because the dinosaurs’ size makes me feel insignificant in contrast.” Similarly, the other interviewees stated that the sheer size of the creatures made the fossils their favorites.

        Despite the favorability of larger animals, the skeletons of tiny animals also impressed crowds. The visitors admired the delicate yet fine bones of small animals. “It’s amazing how they got around and lived with such small bones and bodies,” commented a visitor. “I think they’re cuter than the larger skeletons,” piped a girl who was with her parents. 

Recreate Nature 

           Not only does the AMNH display real gems and fossils, but it also displays the creations of its naturalists, taxidermists, photographers, and artists. The dioramas, although not as popular as the rocks and the skeletons, drew a large crowd of awed visitors. The fact that the museum produced such fine creations within the museum itself, as with its display of master craftsmanship and the diversity of its subjects, was what drew the crowd. 

         “The ranges of the dioramas are amazing,” said a visitor. “From humans to trees, I was able to see a variety of figures I would never be able to see in real life.” “The models are really accurate and well made.” “I wonder how the museum was able to make such figures.” These were some of many comments and praises given to the models. Many of the interviewees thought that the real life scale of the blue whale was the best, followed by the gorilla in the jungle and primitive humans in Africa. 


To History
     
         The AMNH truly frames the bulk of natural history for the denizens of New York, as well as those who come from distant cities and countries. Its collections are so vast only a small fraction of it can be shown at a time, therefore enabling future visits to pertain new artifacts and fossils. It is no wonder that it was voted 7^th in the “Most visited museums in the World” by the magazine Travel + Leisure. Many will leave with natural wonders in their memories, not knowing that they have scratched only the surface of AMNH’s treasures.

Solomon and Wright

               
               Frank Lloyd Wright, architect of the Solomon Guggenheim museum, once stated that the Metropolitan Museum of Art looked like “a protestant barn” compared to the Solomon Guggenheim museum. In fact, the Solomon Guggenheim museum (also known as the Guggenheim), is in itself a work of art. When I visited New York on the 16^th of January, the Guggenheim museum’s ribbon-like structures stood out amid boxy skyscrapers and flats. The interior was no less amazing: along an upward spiral path was a brilliantly designed ceiling that matched the organic design of the exterior walls.

                
               I was also drawn by its famous collection of impressionist, early modern and contemporary art. Like its design, the Guggenheim seemed to specialize in abstract art like those of Seurat and Kandinsky. I decided to go into detail of works that were popular with visitors, as well as works that the visitors found interesting.

The Founding Fine Arts

           What attracted the most attention was the Solomon Guggenheim Founding Collection, the first collections of Solomon Guggenheim. I found Kandinsky’s work to be the most flamboyant in terms of colors and shapes, as his vivid use of prime colors and basic geometric shapes truly caught attention. For many of the visitors, it was the usage of color and lines that truly hit home. “I don’t understand some of the things the man is trying to explain,” said a visitor, “but I love how he expresses himself.” “I’m just in it for the shapes,” explained another visitor.

          Naturally, the work of Picasso also garnered enormous attention. Unlike Picasso’s other works or that of Kandinsky’s, Picasso’s works at the Guggenheim used copious amounts of grey and brown. Picasso’s distinct usages of cubes were also eminent in his artworks, combined with the dull colors, and reminded many visitors of the streets New York. “The paintings like a city within a city,” said an onlooker. Other people, however, had different opinions about Picasso’s works. “The sharp angles, along with the unclear but distinct shapes, gives the subject ‘volume’”, remarked a visitor.

          Seurat’s work, unlike Picasso’s or Kandinsky’s, was less about the representation of the idea and more about the usage of techniques. His famous paintings composed of tiny dots gave visitors an impression of painstaking work put into his paintings. The colors of the paintings, softened by the usage of dots, blend with each other and gave the visitors an impression of serenity as well as nostalgia. “Everything matches with each other, and the paint flows with the painting rather than to contrast with it.”


Photographs of Persona

           
         At the exhibition halls of the Bohen Foundation and the Deutsche Guggenheim Commissions, there is a stark contrast with the paintings of the other exhibits. The grayscale photographs (with a small number of them in color) present the ideas of the artist without any divergent interpretations that come from vague paintings. I’ve decided to look into the works of Sally Mann, Hiroshi Sugimoto, and Sam Taylor-Wood. Many of the photographic artworks was taken by Hiroshi Sugimoto, and from his photos, it is clear that he was a minimalist. His photos contain a single subject, with no additional objects, backgrounds or persons. Many visitors felt solitude when the viewed his photographs. “The images leave a strong impression, because there are no other objects in the photos to dilute the main image,” commented a tourist.

         
         The photographs of Sally Mann and Sam Taylor-Wood, unlike Sugimoto’s, do contain a background. The background, say the visitors, is able to give the viewer more detail into their subject matter. The background also seems to emulate a storyline alongside the subject, giving the viewers an opportunity to interpret the photo uniquely. “It is about a man living in a dreary city, and continuing a monotonous existence within this world,” explained a visitor after observing Soliloquy IV by Sam Taylor-Wood. “It’s about a man who lives a secretive existence amid the vast city,” explained another observer of the same artwork.


Wacky Works

              
              A question that has posed me when I went to report on MoMA could also be found in the Guggenheim. For the visitors, some of the works that were in display did not qualify as art at all. When the visitors saw the Surface Veil III by Robert Ryman, many ridiculed it for containing virtually no brush or pen stroke. “No depth and just a scam – that is the Surface Veil,” scoffed a visitor who went to look the artwork. “He’s making modern art a travesty by assuming the notion notion of ‘if a person calls it art, its art’ far and wide,” remarked a tourist from England.

            
               However, some visitors gave the artists credit. “I like the sculpting of the various pieces and how they are laid out by the artist,” complimented a visitor from China. “I think it’s unique to step away from painting skills to the thought processes of the mind,” said another. The number of people who liked the so-called art numbered only four people out of 30 people interviewed. 10 of the 30 people did not like the art at all, and 16 of the other visitors said that they hated it.

              Whether an artist uses paint, a camera, a chisel, or nothing at all, art is constantly evolving. Guggenheim is an excellent timeline of various artistic styles and techniques, but it is something more. It is a sanctuary for artists to express their ideas, visitors to learn more about themselves, and progressive artists to propel the artistic world into new levels.

Looking Back

2012 is only weeks away. Christmas is less than a week away. As 2011 draws to a close, I decided to cover the holidays and the last few days until 2012. Because of the Global Recession, the Arab Spring, the death of terrorists and dictators, the Fukushima Nuclear Accident, and many other events in 2011, this Christmas will be like no other. I decided to cover how Americans will spend their last days of the year, and how events that took place this year will influence their holiday plans. Because I covered important events during 2011, I thought it would be interesting to see how the events I reported on would influence the lives of many Americans.

Shopping & Gifts, 2011

For many Americans, Christmas and New Year shopping is an almost-ritualistic event. I went to Soho, one of the most popular shopping districts in Manhattan, to see how events of 2011 influenced the shopper’s purchases. Soho has traditionally been a shopping district for expensive clothe boutiques, such as Armani and Prada, and had little (if at all) inexpensive clothes stores. However, I was surprised to find several buildings that housed inexpensive clothe stores. UNIQLO, a Japanese clothes firm that sells relatively inexpensive clothes, has recently opened for business in Soho. I was also surprised to see that many of the inexpensive stores were packed with customers, compared to their high-end counterparts.

This rule also seemed to apply to many shoppers I have interviewed. Out of 30 shoppers, 25 have said that they have spent less in shopping this year than the previous year. 20 have said that they have spent less than the previous decade. “I can’t afford gifts that I could have bought before the recession,” explained a New Yorker. “I just plan to buy gifts for my family and my girlfriend,” stated a college student of NYU.

However, the obstacles of the recession did not seem to affect the purchase of smartphones. In fact, the death of Steve Jobs and the release of the iPhone 4S has increased fervor in Apple products. “My kids want the newest smartphones, and you know, it’s Christmas,” said a haggard mother with her children in the Apple store. “The new functions in the 4S are worth the purchase,” said another customer. When I asked him which particular “function” made the purchase worth it, he refused comment. The release of many other products, such as the Samsung Galaxy 2S and the new 4G smartphones, has only increased the demand for smartphones.

Travelling, 2011

Many Americans used to travel to other vacation spots during the holidays to rest and escape the cold weather. However, there is a severe decrease in holiday trips compared to previous years. I asked 15 interviewees across Manhattan (Union Square, Rockefeller Center, and Zucotti Park). Out of 15 New Yorkers who travelled to foreign destinations last year, only 7 were planning to take a trip this year. Many stated that their economic situations did not give them space to travel. “I need to save up money whenever I can,” said an office worker. “I can’t even afford the airplane tickets this year, let alone travel,” said another. “Buying presents is hard enough – no travelling.” Decreased number of air commuters has only made airline tickets more expensive, as airline companies try to cover up losses with increased prices.

However, for some of the travelers, the reasons were somewhat different. One New Yorker, whose family lives in Greece, decided not to go and visit his family during the holidays because of the situation in Greece. “Have you seen the news? Greece has hit the can,” said the Greek immigrant. “There’s just too much violence and instability.” Another family, of Japanese origin, gave up on a family trip to their native Japan. “My parents lived near the Fukushima nuclear plant, and they had to evacuate,” said the father of the family. “We do not wish to burden them,” added his wife, “and the radiation emitted may be harmful for our children.” A college professor outside New York, who came to New York to visit relatives, told me that she had to cancel her trip to Egypt because of the violence and turmoil in Egypt. “I wanted to learn about Egyptian history and see the pyramids up close, but it looks like I will have to see Egyptians making history from my home TV.”

Many of the New Yorkers told me that they were planning to stay in New York instead of travelling to other places. “I’m just going to skate in Rockfeller Center with my girlfriend,” said a New Yorker. “It’s not the place that counts, it’s the mindset.”

Homecoming & Family Time, 2011

Quality family time, unaffected by the recession or downturns across the world, is better for many Americans this Christmas. A few days ago, the last of US troops have withdrawn from Iraq and will be able to spend Christmas with their families. I was able to meet an Iraqi veteran who was with his family in New Jersey, and I asked him how he felt to be back with his family. The veteran gave me a large smile, and said “there’s no place like home.”

A Farewell and A Greeting

New crystals fitted for the Times Square Ball of 2012 (image from Long Island Press)
 

         Looking back, personal and global events have changed our lives as well as those around us. Dictatorial milestones like Kim Jong Ill and Muammar Gadhafi are no more, while we increasingly rely on social networking sites for our social lives. Arab nations greet democracy as the Arab Spring rages, while we said farewell to Elizabeth Taylor. US troops in Iraq were able to come home, while refugees from Northeast Japan may never see their homes again. On Christmas and New Year’s Eve, we will have much to think about. We have much to reflect on. We will have much to look forward to.
 

 

“Occupy Wall Street!”

          Since mid September, protestors have been continuing their Occupy Wall Street protests in the Financial District of New York City, colloquially known as (but not limited to the actual location) Wall Street. Jobs for the younger generation, high unemployment, and the large number of young protesters have led me to cover this protest. Because I live near New York City, I wanted to see a piece of a larger worldwide protest against fiscal austerity and corporate irresponsibility.

        The protests are aimed against the banks and major financial institutions (many of them concentrated near Wall Street of Manhattan), hence the name of the protest: ‘Occupy Wall Street.’ The protesters call themselves the 99%, because in their opinion they represent the majority of Americans throughout the United States. They protest against the government and the wealthy of the United States, or the 1%. From Occupy Yoido in Seoul to the Indignados in Madrid, many protest against the so-called 1%.

         As I neared the park, the beating of drums and the shouting of slogans began to overwhelm the usual cacophony of street traffic. Over 300 people were inside the park or near the streets surrounding the park, holding banners or placards with protest slogans. The wall of police officers, protestors, slogans, news vans, Guy Fawkes masks, police batons and blockades blotted out what used to be recreational space for New York residents.

The Demographics

       
          Despite blockades and police patrols, I was able to interview 30 protesters, each of them having their own reasons for camping in the park and protesting. My questions included their motives for protesting, their goals, their current state of employment, their age, and reasons for protesting at this specific spot instead of other locations (like Wall Street). In exchange for their information and opinions, I have promised the individuals to keep their personal information confidential. Throughout my reports, all of the police officers I have tried to interview declined comment.

         According to my interviews, I found that 17 people were from the Millennial Generation (born after 1982) and 10 people from Generation X (late 1960s~ 1982). Only 3 people were born before the late 1960s, which indicated that this protest was mainly a movement by America’s youth. This seemed to me that this protest was mainly focused on issues relating to the employment and social welfare of youths, as well as their dissatisfaction with the bailout package given to major commercial banks.

            However, unlike the protesters’ age, the employment situations of the protesters were varied. Out of the 30 people questioned, 5 people had full time jobs in both private and public sectors, 4 people were part-time workers, 7 people were students, and 14 were unemployed. Out of the 14 people who were unemployed, 10 of them have a bachelor’s degree while the other 4 declined to comment about their education. 

…or Occupy Zucotti Park?

I asked the protestors about their reasons for camping out at Zucotti Park, a public space for residents of Manhattan. Many of the citizens I have interviewed (albeit the 30 protestors) complained about the noise made at night as well as sanitation problems created by the protestors. Many citizens were wondering why they weren’t protesting on Wall Street, which contains the NYSE as well as major financial buildings.

           
          Wall Street itself was deprived of any protesters. When I drew near the NYSE, I was confronted by the police and was refused access into the street. The entire area was sealed off by blockades and mounted policemen, and only NYSE employees and corporate bigwigs were allowed into Wall Street. Many New Yorkers, who usually crossed Wall Street as shortcuts, complained about the cut in traffic. Despite the blockade being a precaution against the protesters, the majority of New Yorkers blamed the police. "The protesters are protesting peacefully, and if the police is going to punish them, don't make us pissed off," said a disgruntled office worker who frequently used the street.

When I asked this particular question to the 30 protestors, 7 people joked that this park was the only viable campsite near Wall Street. 2 people stated that the occupation of public space was symbolic for the protest movement. However, 21 people stated that they did not know why they were camping out in Zucotti Park. “I’ve asked the same question myself,” said one of the protestors, “but I wasn’t able to get a satisfying answer from other people – they don’t know why themselves.”

We are the 99%?

I continued to ask the 30 protesters questions, this time about their motives and their goals. For the majority of protestors (22 people), their motives were similar: protesting against the bailout of major banks while they have to suffer for it. One of the protestors, a social worker, stated that funding for her department was slashed because of austerity measures taken by the U.S government. “We, as well as the downtrodden, should not suffer for those who drink champagne every other party,” was her statement. Many other government workers, whose salaries were cut as well as their department’s budget, nodded in assent.

The other 8 people had different motives, particularly those who were not involved in the public sector. Some complained about the unemployment rate, as well as President Obama’s policies on economic issues. Some wanted justice against Jerry Sandusky, the football coach of Penn State University who was accused of sexual abuse against children. One particular protestor was a self-declared anarchist, and was protesting against order and authority itself.

As for the goals of the protestors, there was a painful gap in unity. There were so many different suggestions that I wasn’t able to tie their suggestions to a particular group. One of the protestors wanted the consolidation of an efficient universal health care system. Another wanted to increase taxes for wealthy citizens, or the ‘1%.’ Goals for the protest movement included government reforms, enact the Dream Act (a bill that will allow the children of illegal immigrants to study in the US), create a socialist society in the United States, improve wages for public sector workers, destruction of Israel, and countless other opinions.

Boiling Point

(photo from http://articles.cnn.com/2011-11-17/us/us_new-york-occupy_1_police-clash-riot-police-occupy-protesters?_s=PM:US)

 As police began to clash with the protestors, I was able to finish my interviews and photograph the protestors. As I began to leave Zucotti Park, I witnessed many activists getting arrested for their actions. Some of the protestors aggravated the police officers, while others were arrested for ambiguous reasons. To avoid from being absorbed the crowd of police and activists, I distanced myself on the opposite street of Zucotti Park.


             Before the police rushed in to disperse the protesters, I saw and heard many diverse and conflicting ideals. However, when the police charged, the protesters banded together. Despite actions by the police, the protestors didn’t stop their protests. Even from 2 blocks away from the park, I could still hear drums beat and activists chant. The protesters had different opinions and differing goals in some aspects, but for them. Some of them didn't know why they were in Zucotti park, but for the protesters that didn't matter. The desire to create a better future for the United States and themselves linked them together, no matter the amount of police suppression or internal conflict.

 

                  I decided to revisit the museum on September 24^th because of the vast collection of valuable artworks. In order to cover the most popular artwork galleries, I have reported on Egyptian art, Arms and Armor, European Paintings, European Sculpture, and Medieval Art last month, and this month I will be covering Ancient Near Eastern Art, African/Oceania/American Art, Asian Art, Greek and Roman Art, and Modern Art.

From Babylon to Cyprus

“If I was a Babylonian or a Persian, I would have been awed by the sheer size of some of these sculptures."

                Near Eastern art, for many visitors, seemed to border Eastern and Western art. For a minority of visitors viewing Near Eastern art produced in the Late Period, they mistakenly believed that they were looking at Greek art (from which Near Eastern art was influenced). Some of the later sculptures, such as the ones depicting a sphinx and a man wearing a laurel crown (a crown that Roman emperors wore to display their power), have heavy influences from Greece and Rome. Near Eastern art produced in the early period resembled art produced in India, with many statues depicting the faces of deities in very high detail.

“If I was a Babylonian or a Persian, I would have been awed by the sheer size of some of these sculptures,” said a visitor, “just like a human being is awed by seeing a supernatural being.” Another visitor seemed to find similarities between Middle Eastern and Egyptian art. “Stone sculptures, murals that depict different creatures, and the enormous statues...looks like Egpyt influenced Middle Eastern art, or maybe it’s the other way around!”

From the Far East

                For many tourists that seek diversity from Western art, Asian art is a must-visit. From massive sculptures of inland China to the porcelain pottery of Korea, there are many different types of artworks. The majority of China’s sculptures and murals depict Buddhist deities, Taoists, or monstrous demons in Chinese lore. Chinese artworks dominated the Asian gallery, where over 3 gallery spaces (along with a giant hall) are dedicated to them. One of the interviewees joked, “The number of Chinese art is as massive as the number of Chinese tourists!” There were also a large number of Japanese artworks, where most of the artworks consisted of embroidery and clothing rather than statues and metal ornaments. However, there was seldom number of visitors in the Japanese wing, unlike those housing Chinese artworks. “I think I am seeing the same number of designs over and over again,” remarked one visitor exiting the Japanese wing. “A homogenous mishmash of this and that,” said another.

                One disappointing aspect for the Asian wing was the lack of artworks from Korea. Although the collection wasn’t small, there weren’t a significant number of them. “I think I would be more interested if there were more works present,” remarked 2 visitors. According to 20 people who visited the Korean section of Asian art, 15 of them said that the wing could use more Korean artworks. “Korea is rising,” remarked Ann Cheng (a tourist who agreed to share her identity), “and to spread its cultural knowledge, people should know more about its culture.”

AAA: American, African, Aboriginal

“Their method of displaying art seems more spiritual than that of other cultures, and I was impressed by that.”

                Perhaps one of the most unique of the exhibitions, in terms of how these cultures express their artistic side, is the art gallery of African, American, and Oceanic art by Aboriginals. Many of these cultures have displayed their artistic talents with totems, ships, clothing, and personal items over paintings and sculpture. None of the works used metal, and very few used material other than wood or other biological materials. For this reason, this particular gallery seemed to display the distant tribal past of human civilization. The different geographical regions also seemed to play a role in the themes of the artworks created. From the tapestries of the Peruvian Andes to the patterns carved by the Maori, all of the artworks seemed to be different and unique from each other.

                When I interviewed 30 tourists who visited all the galleries, I asked them to choose their favorite galleries. When I asked the 4 people, who have chosen the AAA galleries as their favorites, why they chose the galleries, the 4 people replied that the galleries have shown the most unique way of displaying their artistic sense. For one visitor, it was “their method of displaying art seems more spiritual than that of other cultures, and I was impressed by that.”
 

Olympic Art

“European culture has never been able to measure up to the success of Greek and Roman culture.” 

                Greek and Roman culture, the foundations of European civilization, created unforgettable artworks. Although Greek and Roman art seemed to concentrate on sculpture like the Egyptian and Middle Eastern art, the proportions and details of the face and body are incredible, even more so than Egyptian or Middle Eastern art. The artworks from the Renaissance period, shown in the previous article, resemble and emulate some of the techniques and subjects from the art of the Classical period. The main materials used seemed to be metal and marble, but the Romans also utilized paint, glass, and other diverse materials.

                “Marble and metal is the main attraction of Greek and Roman art, and I like it,” quipped a tourist. “European culture has never been able to measure up to the success of Greek and Roman culture,” remarked an elder visitor. 16 out of 20 people said that they liked Greek and Roman art, but 15 out of the 16 people said that Greek and Roman art did not have much variety in terms of subject matter. “Roman and Greek art was cool and everything, but it’s like having 200 different alterations of Mona Lisa,” said the same tourist who remarked about the marble and metal used in Greek and Roman art.

MoMA?

                                    "I like the pizzazz, the bang-bang, and the wow factor.”

                When I visited the modern art section of the Met, I at first thought that the Met collection wouldn’t be as impressive as its other collections. The main reason for formulating this unproven hypothesis, shared by other tourists that have visited MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), is that New York already has an excellent museum dedicated to modern art. According to a survey of 25 people who have visited MoMA before visiting the Met’s modern art section, 15 of the 25 people told me that they didn’t expect to see a good collection. “New York already has a museum dedicated to modern art,” said one of the interviewees. “Why have this gallery at all?”

                Fortunately, this idea was proven a misconception. The Met does have an excellent collection, including Van Gogh’s, Picasso’s, and Pollock’s works, albeit smaller than that of MoMA. Some works, although contemporary, have been transferred to European or American paintings. For some of the tourists, this was to some degree frustrating. “I want to look at modern art in the modern section, not the Europe section where older paintings dominate the walls,” remarked a tourist. However, many of them found the gallery to be rewarding. “I was able to see many unique and flashy works,” said a visitor who was with his family, “and I think that having the same thing over and over again is boring. I like the pizzazz, the bang-bang, and the wow factor.”

Comedi-art

                    The Caricatures gallery, a special temporary exhibition, is a gallery that many visitors and tourists wish that it was a permanent exhibition. The cartoonist artworks both display the development of political art and artistic skills through the ages. From satirical drawings of da Vinci to political cartoons of 19th century England, the artworks provide many visitors laughs and food for thought. Unlike other artworks, which was mainly related to human, animal, or emotional subjects, most of the caricatures in this gallery are themed on politics. 

                      Because the exhibition is fairly recent, many tourist groups or visitors do not have much foreknowledge of the artworks, if they had any previous information about it at all. However, it doesn't mean that they don't have opinions about this peculiar gallery. "I found this to be the only gallery with laughs," said a tourist from a school trip. Many of the comments referred to the strange, if not ridiculous, appearance of the artworks. "Laughs throughout the ages," remarked the same tourist.

Checkout

                Mere words cannot cover all the wonders of human creativity found in the Met, and neither can my 2 articles. Many of the ancient treasures predate the museum that houses them, and even predate the city that houses the Met. The deep and rich history, as well as the creative strokes and genius that went into the works of art, will surely impress those who decide to visit the museum that lies on 5^th Avenue. As the human mind creates even more masterpieces, the collection of the Met will ever become fuller.

Entry

The Entrance

I initially decided to visit the museum on September 12^th because of its vast collection of valuable artworks. For a museum that boasts one of the largest collections of art in the world, the cost of admission is modest. Although the recommended fee is USD 25, it is up to the visitor to pay, or ‘donate’, whatever amount he or she wishes. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or simply ‘the Met’, has over a million permanent artworks which are diverse in both time and culture. From the popular Arms and Armor collection to the American Painting and Sculpture, it is usually impossible for visitors to visit all of the galleries in one day without skimming over the artworks. I will be covering Egyptian art, Arms and Armor, European Paintings, European Sculpture, and Medieval Art in this article. 

What the Pharos Made

"Masonry and Size"

For many of the visitors of the Met, the first exhibition they enter is the Egyptian Art Gallery. The Egyptian gallery, containing half of the museum’s artworks, is by far the largest of all the galleries. When I asked 20 visitors of all ages what struck them most from visiting the Egyptian Art Gallery, many of them replied “masonry and size.” Most of the Egyptian Art collection, apart from several textile works, is mainly composed of pottery, stone tools, and stone structures.

The same 20 visitors, when asked what part of the art gallery they would recommend to their friends and relatives, told me that the stone sculptures and tools were the most spectacular. “For me, it was amazing that such fine details in sculpture could be created in a time that lacked the fine tools we have today,” explained one of the 20 visitors. “It’s the sheer bulk and size of the statues that got me,” explained another visitor. Painted art by Egyptians is no less impressive; for one visitor, he “was able to get a lucid picture of ordinary Egyptian life.

Medieval Makes

"It's Jesus and God Everywhere."

Like Egyptian artworks, the medieval sculptures display excellent craftsmanship without modern tools or technology. However, unlike Egyptian works that use bulk to awe onlookers, medieval artworks impress audiences with small details present in medieval paintings and crafts.  “After the fall of the Roman Empire, it is impressive to see that barbarism didn’t destroy art completely,” said a college student from Columbia. “It also shows how developed the human spirit is, despite daily hardships.”

Many galleries display religious artifacts, but almost none of the galleries feature as many religious themes and icons as the Medieval Gallery. The sheer amount of Christian themes in medieval artworks display the enormous significance and importance Christianity had for people living during the Middle Ages. This was why some visitors felt as if they were entering a monetary or a religious institution. “It’s Jesus and God everywhere,” exclaimed a tourist visiting from the Netherlands. An elderly visitor noted the amount of care that went into these artworks despite the lack of tools. “They must have put their souls into these works: it does represent their self towards God, after all.”


Guns & Roses

Weapons in the Met not only represent the technological prowess of humanity, but they also display the prowess of art. 19 out of 20 male visitors I interviewed chose this gallery as their favorite, with comments such as ‘cool’, ‘interesting’, and ‘masterful craftsmanship.’ According to a visitor who was a designer for the gaming industry, he said that the Met was invaluable to industrial and media design. “I’ve come to the Met for inspiration, whether it be building interiors or scenes; however, the arms and armor had given me the strongest impressions and numerous inspirations.”

Despite the name of the gallery, many of the weapons were for ceremonial purposes and rarely have seen the battlefield. The ones that have seen battles are arms and armor from nations other than Europe or North America. “I like the diversity of this collection,” said a tourist, “because unlike the other galleries, this gallery allows me to see different cultures at the same time and compare them.”


Elegance from Europe

Europe, after the Dark and Middle Ages, truly blossomed in art and sculpture. By the time of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, Europe has produced thousands of renowned works by renowned artists. Out of 20 people I’ve interviewed, 15 of them stated that the European art/sculpture section was in their top 3 galleries of the Met, and 5 of the visitors stated it was their favorite section. One visitor described the section as “Europe at is best.”

After visiting the Middle Ages section, many visitors are impressed by the leap forward in techniques found in the European galleries. The subjects have also changed. The Dutch visitor, who I was able to meet inside this gallery, told me that “in this gallery, I see that Europe has abandoned its static theme of blind faith and have started to see other themes artists could spend their time on.” “I am greatly impressed by this level of work,” said another visitor, “and I hope this leap happens again in my lifetime.

Next Visit

From the popular Arms and Armor collection to the American Painting and Sculpture, it is usually impossible for visitors to visit all of the galleries in one day without skimming over the artworks. For this reason, I will feature Ancient Near Eastern Art, African/Oceania/American Art, Asian Art, Greek and Roman Art, Modern Art, and Caricatures (a new exhibition) next month. The Met features many treasures, and I wish the reader to fully appreciate them by going into each gallery in detail.

Getting Ready

Discussing the Debt Ceiling Crisis: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of the Democrats (left), and House Speaker John Boehner of the Republicans (right) (image from CBS.com)

 

          On July 31, 2011, the Republican Party and the Democratic Party passed several compromises regarding the debt ceiling of the United States. In return for the extension of the debt ceiling (the limit on the amount of debt the United States is allowed), the government had to initiate spending cuts of $900 billion over 10 years. Soon after the debt ceiling compromise was enacted, global markets plunged. The Dow Jones Index dipped below its 12,000 line, while Asian indexes like KOSPI of Korea plunged below the 2,000, and later, the 1,800 line.

Why take another Dip?

        The Standard & Poor’s Building in New York

           For the global economy, intricately linked to the US economy and its problems, the fall was caused by the US government. According to CNN, Dagong Global Credit Rating Company (based in China) lowered the US’ credit rating (the rating indicates the creditworthiness of the government of the nation) to an A+. Standard & Poor, the credit rating agency based in the US, devalued the US credit rating from AAA to an AA+ (*this view has been discredited by the US government: BBC News).

So what caused the US economy itself to sink? Guan Jianzhong, head of the Chinese Dagong Global Credit Rating Company, stated that "the squabbling between the two political parties on raising the U.S. debt ceiling reflected an irreversible trend on the United States' declining ability to repay its debts." As the US government failed to reach a concrete decision, many businessmen and investors began to lose confidence in the US government to honor its debts. As public funding is slashed, unemployment is predicted to rise, as well as decrease in demand for certain services.

 

Consequences

The New York Stock Exchange

Although US citizens generally agree that the compromise hurt the reputation and the economy of the US, many disagree on the appropriate action that should have been taken by the US government. The majority of the people in New York City (excluding the Wall Street & financial areas) believed that the US government should have raised the debt ceiling, while not slashing the budget at an extreme rate, sharing the Democrat’s argument on the debt ceiling crisis (*note: the state of New York is a mostly Democratic state according to the midterm elections of 2010). “Cutting budgets would only hurt the economy, where people want jobs and money is the main incentive of job creation,” argued one of the interviewees.  “As much as I want the government to spend responsibly,” said another interviewee, “I don’t want the government to slash funds recklessly.”

Although I expected to find Republican businessmen and investors the slashing of budgets, I found instead an opinion similar to the second interviewee. “The United States,” explained one investor, “has spent too much and we must stop spending recklessly; however, we shouldn’t cut our budget recklessly.” Another interviewee near the New York Stock Exchange building said that “many of the government programs that are being slashed include funds for small businesses to large corporations, so losing this budget battle also means bad news for US business.”

The Ripple from the Dip

  “I wouldn’t want the postal service to get even worse.” (Photo of New York Post Office)
 

The implications for the plunging of stocks across the globe, while clearly evident among investors and governments across the world are less clear for the general populace for now. Although cuts on spending have been passed, it hasn’t taken immediate effect. In fact, the faction that had most greatly felt the consequences of the compromise in the public sector was the private sector. “Ironically, the disaster of the public sector was most felt in the private sector,” said a businessman. “This is less about the American people, but more about the American government: the people may experience spending cuts, but it’s ultimately the government that was responsible for those cuts and the debt crisis it is in.”

Although the public hasn’t felt the budget cut yet, it doesn’t mean that they are less worried. In fact, because the spending cuts will affect or close government programs, the public sector is more worried than the private sector. “I’m worried about my next pay check, or even my job,” said a post office worker who wished not to be named. “I can’t believe the USPS (United States Postal Service) is going to be even slower,” joked an interviewee.

Apart from slower mail delivery, other important governmental programs could mean the difference between life and death. “In some neighborhoods, there aren’t even enough fire trucks or police officers because of lack of money,” said interviewee Mary Haltease (she has agreed to give her name). “That could be a real possibility for some cities of the United States 10 years from now.” For many people like Mary, the government caused a wave that swept its people.

Finding MoMA

The MoMA Building, fromthe opposite end of the MoMA building