Me & Changing Art

My name is Ferrick Moore. I currently attend Sacramento Charter High School as junior. Almost everyone can agree that I'm a busy student. It's quite rare to see me in the same place for more than a second. This is because I'm in so many leadership positions like Student Government, School Site Council and other clubs, that once I step out the car from getting dropped off from school, I hit the ground running. Some may say I'm crazy to take on a tremendous amount of extracurriculars but hey, somebody has to do it.

I usually don't stop working when my eyes are set on something but the context travel opportunity totally made me stop and realize what an amazing opportunity it is. Not only is traveling my passion but also learning its magnificent history, culture, fashion and context is something am absolutely looking forward to.

During a seminar I attended about Paris; I've found that change is quite a funny thing. Relatively speaking about traditional Paris to modern age Paris art. In the beginning, around the 12th century, Paris started off very religious and detailed with an obvious direct meaning when it came to art. But as times changed; the passing of WW1 and the break of the industrial revolution, art became much less detailed and religious with an unnoticeable indirect meaning behind it. Take Pierre Mignard’s work for example compared to Pablo Picasso’s. (Pierre Minard: Bottom and Pablo Picasso: Top)

             

          Here's where the funny part comes in. As you can see, the two paintings are definitely different than one another. The one on the left by Minard is extravagant and in my opinion, very sophisticated while the other, well, not so much. Picasso’s painting is mostly made up of shapes and colors and a bit unclear if I would say my self. In fact, by the looks of his painting, it's definitely a huge jump from traditional paintings like Minard. This is a prime example of the change from traditional Paris to modern Paris. Artist went from drawing at a distinct and detailed way to a creative and imaginative level. For the most part, the real change I see is the change in intellect. Yeah, Mignard’s painting looks sophisticated but you can probably guess the meaning completely than Picasso’s. Picasso uses all those shapes and colors to make the viewer have to analyze and interpret the shapes and colors before really realizing what it is. I like this because his paintings make you have to really think, kind of like a puzzle in which you have to reinvented the shapes and colors to make a picture. I would be most excited to see his paintings close up in Paris like, “ The Man With a Guitar “. Which is one of his famous paintings. ( Aren’t they all! )

Pictures Cited:

Pablo Picasso/ The Three Muscians: http://www.pablopicasso.org/three-musicians.jsp#

Pierre Mignard/ Louis XIV of France Riding a Horse: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCOLOxqyGwcgCFYqXiAodBCAJbQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcommons.wikimedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFile%3APierre_Mignard_-_Ludwig_XVI._zu_Pferde_-_hi_res_1200dpi.jpg&bvm=bv.104819420,bs.1,d.cGU&psig=AFQjCNE-5D9eHC6acoTq37Hy2VmF9F8gOg&ust=1444880648907607

Changing of Times

Hi, my name is Destyni Freese. I am applying to the Context travel program because there are multiple benefits that I as an individual can bring to the Program as well myself.  Of course, the obvious reason is to be able to travel to a place where very few are given the opportunity to go. However, that isn’t the only reason. The program gives me the opportunity to start off my future on the right path. I dream to become and International Corporate Finance Lawyer. In order to be able to travel around the world you must be able to be comfortable with traveling to unfamiliar places. I have never been outside of the United States before so in order to actually achieve my dream I must start somewhere. In my opinion, Paris is the perfect place to start.

While I’m in Paris I look forward to being able to experience a different culture first hand and become more knowledgeable of the Parisian History. I can’t wait to be able to go to the museums and see paintings and pictures that I’ve only had the option of viewing out of history books. I want to be able to taste the food that Paris has to offer me. I yearn to see everything I possibly can before I leave and bring it home to everyone so they can know what I know. The most amazing part is I will be able to do all of this without leaving a major negative impact on the city’s environment.

            I was most intrigued by the concept of continuously changing ways of life as time passes. We can mainly visualize this through the modernistic period of Paris. We went over multiple ways in which Paris changed when it went through its modernistic period. Two are its music and art. Music before the Modernistic era was mainly based off of a religious context. As time went along, music changed from religious melodies to a smooth, never before heard type of music called Jazz. Jazz was played by multiple people and could be played in a relaxed setting like clubs. Religious music was only played in a sophisticated setting. Art changed as well. The traditional ways of art was realistic paintings with a twist of religion. Once it was modernized it became abstract and colorful. A painter we all know is Pablo Picasso. His paintings are some of the many that came out of that time period that challenged the traditional ways of art.

            The Changing of Paris’s cultural norms as it grew reminded me a lot of myself as an individual and everyone as a society. No one has the same ways that they had as children when they are teenagers and most adults don’t have the same ways as they did when they were teenagers. I know I’m always changing. For example, I used to love tomatoes as a child. I would sit with the refrigerator door open eating a tomato like it was a peach. As I grew I’ve come to not enjoy them as much.  It’s almost as if the traditional cultural norms of multiple societies like the artistic values of Paris, in a way, have become the Parisian’s tomatoes.  Being able to go to Paris and see how much it has changed now from its original Modernistic era puts the cherry on top of everything because I will be able to visualize firsthand the transformation of beautiful society.

            Maybe we should all start looking at ourselves and our community more to see how we’ve changed. Is it a positive or negative change? If it’s negative what can we do to change it? There’s always a way and we aren’t perfect. So what can we do to change the ways in which we live to have a more positive view.

                                                             

http://www.themost10.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Girl-Before-A-Mirror-By-Pablo-Picasso.jpg?359737

http://luxetravel.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Apollo-Gallery-at-the-Louvre.jpg

http://www.amigos-museu-sbras.pt/images/Goodtime%20Jazz%20Band%20poster%20-%204th%20March%202007.jpg

I Want to Take My Talents to France

Hey, my name is Kyson Barnes and I want to take my talents to France. The architecture, language and especially the food has always made me want to live the reality I saw in the pages of books and magazines. France being an earlier developed country has a history unlike the United States. The history of France dates back to around 250 BCE which means there are tons to information to learn .I’m applying for the Transforming Youth Through Travel Scholarship because being able to travel to Paris is an opportunity that could impact my future of becoming a chef and a culturalist. Upon receiving the scholarship and actually going to France I look forward to exploring the Fashion Capitol. 

http://www.complex.com/style/2014/07/apc-kanye-fall-winter-2014-collection-3

 I’ve been interested in high fashion since around 9^th grade but there’s been a barrier in that interest. I live in Sacramento. I’m almost positive Arden Mall doesn’t have high fashion boutiques or maybe I just haven’t been their enough. I also look forward to learning about the history of Jazz in Paris . Last year I started listening to jazz and neo soul after my mom told me I needed to listen to more than just hip-hop. 

http://revive-music.com/2010/11/15/rare-live-recording-the-robert-glasper-experiment-at-55-bar/

What drew me in were the blended sound of the saxophones and the mellow tones of the bass in the background. Until the seminar last week I actually had no idea that Paris had such a intricate history when it came to the jazz art form.

           During the seminar I was confused on how I would construct my blog and what I would write about but as Mr. Wilkinson continued to explain aspects of the Lost Generation and Modernism in Paris and America I realized I could form a legitimate theme across multiple subjects we discussed. I focused in on the specific art forms of jazz music and abstract art .During the late 1800’s toward the early 1900’s Europe specifically Paris, France was going through changes socially that were bigger than the development of both art forms. 

http://themidwestmaven.com/2012/07/22/seven-super-shots-photo-challenge/

       During this period France was going through industrialization which left many people displaced in altered lifestyles. Many people were used to a rural lifestyle but during the industrial revolution people began to be employed by large factory based companies and the urban population grew .With a more densely populated location ideas were more diverse  and information was transported faster which caused French art forms to become distorted .Looking at a piece of art from the early 1800’s next to an abstract art piece of the 1900’s you can recognize significant differences, just like you can listen to the classical music of traditional Paris then listen to jazz of Paris and can tell obvious differences. Both changes stem from the growth of communal diversity and were established because of a wider spectrum of recreational acceptance. I found this theme of change very interesting because both art forms are different but went through the same evolution.

 I ran into a temporary barrier when it came to relating this idea of change to modern times or me.

    I have had an interest in drawing and painting since I was young. But as I got older I noticed those just weren’t areas I was gifted in  . . . Music on the other hand I’ve pursued a little but haven’t really invested myself in pursuing the craft. I played the saxophone for 2 years in middle school and played the guitar for two years (8^th and 9^th grade). Music is still something I am passionate about but sadly procrastination is also a part of my magnificent traits.

     So I kept thinking about topics similar to my theme and that are relevant to more modern times. I noticed that the change in music and art in France happens frequently all over the world. I specifically thought about hip-hop. Hip-hop has evolved immensely since the 80’s and 90’s. I feel it has changed just like traditional music and art of France. Hip hop began with more lyrical approaches and strictly boom-bap beats that some say all sound the same. 

http://www.vibe.com/2015/03/read-the-butterfly-poem-that-kendrick-lamar-wanted-tupac-to-hear/

      Today the style has changed and the beats include faster snares and lots of bass with the lyrics consisting of less meaning (that’s why I choose to listen to artist like J Cole, Capital Steez ,and Lauryn Hill who actually have a message).Many older artist have issues with new rap music and don’t like the changes with the music similar to how some citizens of Paris in the lost generation stuck to old ways.

      Making the connection of Paris art forms changing to the development of hip-hop made me and look forward to visiting France even more realizing that French history is relevant to modern times .Sitting down and having Mr. Wilkinson discuss France with us was a lot more exciting than sitting on the computer researching .It made me mentally go through what one of the walking seminars would be like with a docent right by your side.

     This is a little random but does anybody know if there are any well-known French jazz and hip hop artist today?

France and the Lost Generation

I applied because it is a wonderful once in a life time opportunity. I am an avid reader and writer and this will broaden my horizon and help me be a better writer. I would not be able to go to France without this scholarship. You see my family does not have a lot of money my parents have been working very hard to provide for their four children, but have had a few setbacks. My dad works long hours, sometimes six days a week. My mom was laid off from two jobs and went back to school to get a better job. My parents are also helping support my sister who just started college. I also applied because one of the only teachers who really pushed me towards success and supported me loved France.  Since she was so influential to my success, it would mean a lot to me to see and experience the same awe inspiring feelings she experienced in France.  I look forward to having an exciting experience by trying new foods, learning new facts, adding pictures and experience to previous knowledge, getting to know more people, making lifelong connections, and being influenced and apart of another culture. Some of the new foods I look forward to trying are   formage, pain au chocolat, and crepes. The new pictures I would like to add are Sainte Chappelle (Figure1), Eiffel Tower (Figure2), and Louvre (Figure3).  

https://lifeaperture.wordpress.com/2012/01/08/sainte-chapelle-2/  (Figure1) 

 http://www.viator.com/Paris-attractions/Louvre/d479-a73 (Figure2) 

http://drhamster.deviantart.com/art/Eiffel-Tower-at-Night-1-214026164  (Figure3). 

The new facts I would like to learn are how people in France respond to the biggest tourist attractions, if people who live in France ever visit some of the attractions in France, and do people all tend to have the same answer with what is their favorite sport. Some people I plan on getting to know are: the person that wins with me, the docents that teach me, and the chaperons that watch me.  Lifelong connections I want to make are with the Context Travel docents. I would like to be influenced by the fashion, morales, and outside views of America.

                      The most interesting topic discussed at the seminar, Wednesday October 7, 2015 was the lost generation. The lost generation is the generation after world war one happened, which includes the people that were in the war, the people that were at home during the war, and the people that were born after the war.  The lost generation had no morales and no order.  It lead to no use of common sense, there was no common knowledge of right from wrong. The people that came back from war did not want to talk about what happened or what they had seen, so any knowledge that they had, they kept to themselves. They had seen and experienced so much devastation they couldn’t work up enough strength to tell what they had been taught before the war because during the war it had been crushed. The people that did not go to war yet saw the destruction from it decided to abandon their morales realizing there was no need for following something that was constantly being broken and saw people coming home devastated or dead. People born right after the war were born with no direction any guide lines to follow. When they looked for direction they would constantly look up and see people gorging themselves with alcohol and parties, most of the time people tend to turn towards alcohol or a new art form in order to cope with what happened after a war. Ernest Hemingway the author of the novel The Sun Also Rises, wrote, “The road to hell is paved with unbought stuffed animals.” This means that when people choose to leave innocence behind or when innocence is left behind it tends to lead people to destruction. In the bible it says one has to be like a child in order to get accepted in to the kingdom of heaven. In the quote stuff animals can be seen or interpreted as childhood innocence. If one does not buy a stuff animal it can be seen as not having innocence or leaving innocence behind. If one does not have innocence than one cannot be like a child. If one is not like a child then they cannot be accepted into the kingdom of God. If someone is not accepted to go into the kingdom of God then they go to Hell.  Hemingway writes this in order to guide the lost generation. He knows they have no morales and no common sense of what is right and what is wrong. What he also knows is their innocence is constantly being left behind or destroyed by the previous generations mess. Hemingway is guiding them to keep their innocence. He is trying to tell them do not try to grow up fast and drink or party your life away enjoy being innocent.  He is also telling the people who lost their innocence that they can still get it back all they have to do is start doing what they know is right in their heart and tell others their knowledge of what didn't work in the past and what should be done in order to not repeat the past mistakes and ultimately lead to another war. The lost generation was interesting because the generation today seem to be similar to that generation. A lot of young people today have no guidance and give up their innocence easily not by choice but because society chooses to keep them in the dark. If we had more writers like Hemingway, would we have another lost generation? Did Hemingway write to help the lost generation, or to mock their ignorance? Would Hemingway consider himself as a religious person? Is Hemingway even aware of the correlation between what he said and what it says in the bible? Has he ever read the bible? Did the ideal subconsciously pop up out of his mind or did he think about that verse directly and write it?