In the Red and Brown Water

In the Red and Brown Water is the story of a young woman named Oya who is a gifted runner that gives up a scholarship to stay home with her mother, Mama Moja.  Oya denies the scholarship because she needs to take care of her ill mother.  Mama Moja unfortunately passes away, leaving Oya all alone in the world to figure out all her problems.  This is the beginning of her downward spiral; losing her spot on the track team, taking a few lovers and physically and mentally draining herself.  Her main problem throughout the play is she is caught in the midst of a sexual and love filled relationship with two different men, Shango and Ogun.  She must decide between these two men who she wants to continue to see.

The most important event throughout the entirety of the play is when Oya denies the scholarship from the “man from state”.  She makes this decision with good intentions; to help her mother out, while still believing and working for her dream to run track in college.  Ultimately, she gets caught up in a love triangle after her mother’s death, which put a mental and physical toll on her.  When she finally makes a decision on her multiple relationships, she finds herself very unhappy with her decision to continue dating Ogun.  Oya ultimately fails in her attempt of running in college and achieving happiness with another man in life.  This play was definitely a tragedy about the life of a woman who took a few wrong turns in her decision making.

I personally feel that the most compelling performance is by Ogun.  Ogun starts out as a sort of ‘underdog’ with his stuttering problem.  He works hard to fix it and more importantly, gives all of himself to be with Oya.   Throughout the play you can see the progression of Ogun moving from a scared child to a confident, grown man.  It is always inspiring to see someone dedicate all of themselves to achieving something, while growing as a person at the same time.

My biggest critique of the play is that it was hard to follow at times.  For example, from other versions of the play and what was written in the packet about the play, it seemed like there was a bigger emphasis on Oya’s track career, while in this one, there was not much detail about it.  Also, the ending of the play was abrupt and confusing.  I thought it was a little too extreme that Oya would actually cut her ear off, no matter how crazy she is going. 

This was not my first time going to see a live play.  I have seen a few high school plays along with a few professional Broadway performances too.  I am not a musical, play or live performance fan by any means.  Most of the plays I went to was just to support friends who were in the play or because my parents forced me to go.  This play did not really keep my attention for too long and I kept finding myself confused throughout it.  I would not recommend others to see this play because of the confusing plot and odd plot.

Old School Movie Review

“You think I like avoiding my wife and kids to hang out with nineteen year old girls everyday?”

  Old School, starring Luke Wilson (Mitch Martin), Will Ferrell (Frank Ricard) and Vince Vaughn (Bernard ‘Beanie’ Campbell), is classic college comedy released in 2003.  The movie is directed by John Phillips who is experienced in the college film genre, also filming the critical acclaimed movie Frat House.  Old School caught my eye because I am a big fan of Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn.  I had no idea what to expect going into the movie as I have never seen it before. 

                Mitch comes back from a long, unsuccessful business trip to his house to see that his wife is cheating on him with multiple people.  Crushed, he moves out and divorces her.  A few weeks later, Mitch goes to goes to a wedding where he is reunited with his college buddies.  During the wedding, the friends admit their struggles and recent shortcomings to each other, talking about how they lost touch with their old self.   

A few weeks after the wedding, the guys help Mitch move into a new house near a college town.  To help get over his ex-wife, Bernard throws a party titled Mitch-A-Palooza with the backing of his own stereo company.  The party is viewed as a huge success around the campus and the parties continue, irking the dean of the college.  Dean Pritchard was the butt end of many jokes during his college years with Mitch, Frank and Bernard.  To get back at them, he gets the house zoned and makes it part of the campus, meaning that the house can only be used for school purposes.  In response, the guys decide to create a fraternity, to keep Mitch’s house and also relive their glory days in college.  A hilarious story ensues with the guys rounding up a group of misfits pledges who must keep the fraternity running.

A quality college film must have a few traits to be successful.  First off, in college I have no free time, I cannot waste a minute of my time watching a boring movie.  Furthermore, the actors must fit the role well and help create a greater meaning to the story.  Also, it is very important that all the small things are appropriate; dorm rooms, music, parties, and actions of the characters resemble a true college lifestyle.

                Many star-studded movies disappoint, relying on the actors to cover up a weak plot, meaning and special effects.  Old School is unlike these movies, as the actors only add to the depth to the plot and story that comically engages the audience the entire time.  Hysterical scenes of the guys hazing the pledges may not be entirely realistic, but I can relate and laugh at what they have to do, as I am a pledge myself. 

This movie is a must see movie for any big Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson or Vince Vaughn, college movie or comedy fan.  I would especially recommend this movie for anyone who was ever involved in Greek life.  This movie is sure to provide many good laughs, and don’t worry about having too much fun watching it; the pledges will clean up after you.

The Beauty of the Arboretum

I was not expecting much going to the Arboretum on a cold, Fall morning.   By now, I thought most of the plants would be dead or transported to another area to save them before it gets too cold.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that all the plants thriving and looking just as striking as the last time I was there.  The last time I went to the Arboretum was two years ago to take pictures with my sister during her spring graduation.  During the spring, the Arboretum looks astounding, with the flowers blossoming and the vivid colors of the plants catching your eye.  I really enjoyed going to the Arboretum during class because of the awesome landscape, the beautiful plants and the overall serenity of the gardens.  

The most beautiful substances in the world are not created by humans; they are the natural views and objects that are bestowed upon us by nature.  I am a nature lover because I am often blown away by what nature has to offer.  At the Arboretum, it is very easy to see why many people love nature.  The plants range from sunflowers to trees and are extremely colorful.  Many of the plants are very brightly colored and easily stand out.  There are many different and unique plants that you may not expect to see.  For example, there was a Palm tree, which is the first Palm tree I have ever seen at Penn State.  The set up and structure of the Arboretum helps make the plants look even better because of the flow and organization.  They have all of the brightly colored flowers next to each other which help each plant stand out even more because of the contrast of the colors.  Nature has so much to offer to the world and the Arboretum perfectly shows people the serenity and beauty of nature.

The Arboretum offers a valuable and unique experience every single time you go.  Visiting the Arboretum with the class is different than going there alone.  With the class, it was more of a social and academic visit.  Going alone would be a more peaceful and serene time where you can observe the beauties of nature and collect your thoughts.  The Arboretum is often overlooked and outshined by many of the other various arts and non-arts experience here at Penn State.  I plan on going back to the Arboretum a few times throughout the semester.  I want to go with friends to hike on the paths that surround it and also go alone to get some peace away from the classrooms and dorms.  I can imagine myself going back a few times to try and get the full experience of everything that the Arboretum has to offer.

When people here at Penn State first think of the Arboretum, they would most likely think of all the beautiful plants there.  Although the Arboretum is filled with thousands of plants, there is so much more to experience there than just that.  My favorite part about the Arboretum is the incredible view of the mountains.  Sitting down under the massive, white tarp and staring out into the fields that seem to last forever is an incredible experience.  I was taken away by the beauty of these mountains that surround our school.  Beyond the just the views, there is also awesome landscape and architecture that make the Arboretum what it is.  The building is brand new and built in a way that fits in with all the natural substances around it.  It has a lot of open space in it and is surrounded by large, thin trees.  The Arboretum has a lot to offer and some of the best parts aren’t even the plants.

 

I am really glad that I got to go to the Arboretum again and I can’t wait to go again.  Wandering around the gardens, observing the beauty of the mountains and taking in nature as a whole is truly a unique and breathtaking experience there.  The beauty of the plants and tremendous views are the two things that stick out to me there.  Overall, I am truly lucky to go to a school that offers so many different opportunities and experiences that include observing nature and the beauty of our world.

First College Field Trip: The Palmer Museum of Art

Louis Finson
Flemish, C. 1580-1617
San Gennaro, C. 1610-1612

            The piece of artwork that caught my eye in the Palmer Museum of Art was an oil on canvas painting titled San Gennaro, painted by Louis Finson.  The painting is very large in size; about 3 feet wide and 4 feet tall and is surrounded by an old and golden frame.  The painting is of the Patron Saint of Naples, San Gennaro.  San Gennaro is wearing a white robe surrounded by a golden cloak.  He is also wearing a large golden cloak and holding a large staff.  In front of him is a table holding two bottles and a severed human head.  The head is positioned sideways and looks pale and green.  When you see the head, you look back up at the Saint and see his face in a different manner.  He is holding his hands up and his face is showing a cold and menacing look.  No matter where you are located in the room, the eyes of the Saint follow you.  The background of the painting is a deep, dark black that makes the picture that more daunting and scary.

 This piece of art was created around 1610 in either Finson’s home in Belgium or in Italy, where San Gennaro is well known.  Very little is known about San Gennarro and many myths still float around about him.  After thorough research, there was no extreme religious tension or war going on in Italy or with them around that time.  The severed head was most likely from a man who spoke out against the church or a practicing scientist who went against the church.  In the 16^th and 17^th century, the church executed many different people for speaking out against them.  This painting send the message that the church does not mess around and will not tolerate anything that hurts or goes against their values.  This artwork shows that while the church believes in peace and non-sinful ways, they will kill people.  The artwork fits perfectly into this age of the church because of the severed head and death glare from the Saint.

To me, this piece is a very dark, scary and mysterious work of art.  When I first looked at the painting I saw the menacing glare of the Saint and a severed head that scared me.  You look at this man and you know that you should not cross him.  It is a very mysterious piece because it does not show much and you have no idea why a Saint would be next to a severed head.  This piece of artwork makes me feel like the church is above its own rules.  One of their commandments is to not kill thy neighbor, but they have no problem doing that.  This piece of artwork is creepy, dark and mysterious for its look and the meaning behind it.

This painting was created by Louis Finson in 1610.  He was considered a successful artist in his time, but is not an extremely famous one.  He was often commissioned to do religious paintings in Italy.  The Flemish artist work and studied art in Spain, Italy and France during his life.  His most famous piece is titled Allegory of the Four Elements.  He also painted many different pictures of Jesus and famous stories from the bible.  Little is known about the life and eventual death of this man.  The dates of his birth and death are not perfectly accurate.

The claim this piece is making is about the power of the church.  It makes different claims now than it did four hundred years ago.  When Finson first created this artwork it was meant to serve as a pro-church piece of work.  The message it sends is that the church is all knowing and that no one should cross them.  They are correct all the time and their beliefs should be regarded as the church.  Another reason why this piece is showing the church in a good light is because the artist was often commissioned by churches to make art for them.  The claim is very persuasive because of the severed head and cold, scary demeanor of the Saint.  A dead man means nothing to this leader and he is not afraid to do what he has to do.  

Going to the Palmer Museum of Art was my first trip to a museum of any kind in a few years.  It was really enjoyable going back to a museum because you get to experience art from many different centuries.  I really want to start to go back to museums and learn about history and enrich my perspective.  I would like to also go to museums that preserve things other than art.  It would be awesome to go back to Washington D.C. and visit all the historic Museums that carry the artifacts of this country.  I am a history buff and would love to see the artifacts that defined our country.