Birds!

As I walked around the Audubon exhibit and examined all the works presented, I could help but be extremely impressed. From the slight ruffle in some of the birds' feathers to fact that each bird was live size, the attention to detail was extreme. I was curious as to how Audubon conducted his work, and I was pleased to find there was a video in the exhibit that told us how. The grid matching method that Audubon used was interesting, but I was surprised at how painstaking the process seemed to be. The man replicating the process told how his arm was tight not too long after starting, so I cannot imagine how Audubon managed to work for the hours at a time he was said to have devoted to the birds. Slightly unrelated, I found it rather entertaining to discover that Audubon was a strong advocate for protection of wild birds despite the fact that on an average hunting day he was reported to have bagged a hundred birds at a time. 

For the second part of our visit to the exhibit, "Navigation: An Investigation into Physical Intelligence", I really had no idea what what was going on at first, and I don't think a lot of other people did. I was expecting a small group of humbly dressed dancers somehow jumping around in an attempt to imitate the flight of birds. Little did I know that would be the one attempting to imitate a bird. Attempting to emulate the movement of a flock was extremely interesting and even fun, but I was most intrigued to learn how birds are able to navigate. I was already aware of the use of magnetism, but was surprised and delighted to find that birds are able to hear things such as the Atlantic Ocean's waves crashing on the eastern shore or the wind blowing through the Grand Canyon and use them to navigate. 

Monson's final part of the performance, which I've decided to call the Earth and Rain Dance, was extremely engaging. I am having difficulty pinpointing exactly why, but I think it was because the performers just completely let loose and seem to let their body interact with the environment unhindered. I found myself wanting to join them, but given the mud and rain (and perhaps  my lack of confidence) I decided just to watch. In the future, though, I would love to try the dance out.

Jennifer Monson Workshop

Last Thursday, after viewing the Audubon exhibit I didn't know what to expect for the dance workshop. As we waited for the performers to arrive, we realized we were the performers. Jennifer Monson was an eccentric character who broke the boundary between speaker and audience. I think it was very effective to have everyone introduce themselves and form a circle like in a discussion setting. A group of strangers became like a flock of birds migrating around the museum and listening to each other. Members of the group even referenced peers by name as if we were all close friends.

I must admit I was antsy at the beginning because I just didn't know where she was going to or what she was going to do. I really wanted to see her dance because she seemed like an experienced, unique dancer. However I enjoyed the group activity and meditation aspects of the workshop. It was a refreshing break from my afternoon and I left feeling as though I couldn't accurately convey what happened without sounding ridiculous. "...Then we ran around the first floor of the art gallery avoiding potential predators..."

Finally, Monson and a few of her students performed outside in the rain. It was obviously a very natural setting and all of the onlookers seemed very impressed from behind the glass window. Monson and her students were in their element, unaffected by the rain or the wet gravel. It was their stage and they danced and embraced the surrounding with no difficulty.

Looking back, it was a unique and bizarre experience that I don't think I would have enjoyed as much if I knew what was coming. That element of surprise or lack of control helped me go with the flow and work with the other audience members to learn from Monson.

A range of Portuguese music

Yes, Mariza is a wonderful singer, and fado music can be entrancing, but it isn't the only music from Portugal! To give a little musical context for the upcoming Mariza concert we'll be attending, here are music videos from other Portuguese artists. The group Dazkarieh is a sort of punk/folk ensemble, and the video for their song "Vitorina" has a distinctive nervous energy.


Rodrigo Lêao is a composer and keyboard player who specializes in a kind of deep cabaret, and "Voltar" is typical: silky and sultry.


Jorge Cruz sings a folk pop music with attitude. In this video of his song "Nada," he walks across various Portuguese landscapes. I recognize the green Zêzere river valley, the mountainous Serra da Estrela, the Dom Luis Bridge in Porto, the wheat fields of the Alentejo, and the sunny Costa da Caparica.


Finally, the great jazz composer and pianist Mário Laginha. This solo piece, "Fado," is from his award-winning CD "Cancoês & Fugas." The video is a slideshow of old photos of Lisbon, plugging into the deep love the Portuguese feel for their capital city.


So, enjoy! I'm a Portuguese music fanatic, and I'm really trying to restrain myself here, believe it or not. So don't get me started on Portuguese rock and roll, and the going-on-20-years-and-counting band Rádio Macau . . .

Okay, I can't restrain myself. Here's Rádio Macau: a lousy single photo video, but a slow, unsettling song, featuring the unusual voice of lead singer Xana: "Quando Entro Nos Teus Olhos," from their latest CD, "Oito."

Our Lines Combined...

Before break, I know we mentioned trying to create poems from each other's favorite lines...so I just tried it out. I think it is a neat idea...reminds me of the bird videos in a way how (this is far fetched) but we are all moving "our wings" on our own with our own lines but together we form one moving mass of birds which results in one poem that appears to fit together like it always was like that...I know it sounds weird but those birds are neat!

Here is goes:

The characteristic silence of the audience was shattered.
...made me jump out of my seat... twice.
It lets your imagination run wild.
It was a new world.
There's something about objects falling out of thin air that excites me.
Complete drama. Complete love. And I melt for it every time.
I was surprised that something so simple could be so powerful.
The show was bizarre.
It's really all about perspective.
I loved seeing their emotions through their eyes.
I realized I was also walking into a new world, one I've never been in before.
I got goosebumps whenever they hit a note with full power and held it there, and I waited and hoped for another note to strike me even harder.
Each experience, regardless of whether I enjoy it or not, will have value.
So I went in as a blank slate.
I was sad when I realized it was over.
I'm glad I stepped into that world.

Anna Deavere Smith (!)

When Tuesday night came around, I was honestly at first greatly annoyed that I had to attend this event. My homework was copious and I knew it was going to take me a great deal of time to complete. Even though I eventually got to bed very very late, I am still extremely glad that I went. 

The name "Anna Deavere Smith" always sounded vaguely familiar to me, but I never investigated. Went I flipped over the program for the show and saw her picture, again I felt that she was extremely familiar. I flipped again to her bio, scanned, and then knew exactly where I knew her from. She played Nancy McNally on the television show West Wing. She was a secondary character, but still important. West Wing was and is still my favorite television show, so seeing Ms. Smith in person was extremely exciting for me (and also probably made my enjoyment of her importance basically automatic). 

Her impressions were amazing. I have never heard of most of the people she emulated, but I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. From an anthropological perspective, the act of one person portraying a group of very different people's opinion on the loose topic of "Change in America" was extremely interesting. I felt as though I was witnessing 8 (?) different case studies at once. 

Again, I enjoyed her entire performance, but there were several highlights. Her first person (Studds perhaps?) was extremely entertaining. Stick me in a room with a spunky old person who tends to ramble and I'll be happy for hours. This Studds person seemed just like that and I am sad that I never encountered him. I also enjoyed her Anne Richards. For some reason, I have seen many things that have somehow randomly included her, and I always found her very entertaining. Smith's impression was delightful. My favorite person she emulated was of the Korean woman. I found it extremely interesting to get a non Black or White opinion in what was depicted as an only Black and White racial issue. 

Ms. Smith's performance was thoroughly. I am very glad to have gone and would attend another one of her events in a heartbeat.

Mariza, from Portugal

Here is a video of a beautiful song performed by Mariza, widely acknowledged as the greatest fadista (singer of fado songs) of her generation. Fado is a style of music that has often been described as a kind of Portuguse blues or soul music, because of its deep passion. Here is the song "Meu Fado":

Mariza - Meu Fado - 2005
by mado88

Here's another video, from a live, outdoor performance in Lisbon, right beside the grand Tour de Belém, where Mariza sings"Há Uma Música do Povo," with lyrics by the great Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa:


The Portuguese adore Mariza, and here's a video sketch, "Super Mariza," that pokes some affectionate fun at her, by the comedy troupe Gato Fedorento (Stinking Cat), which is the Portuguese equivalent of our SNL. No Portuguese language ability needed to appreciate the essential humor!

my lines

I could not stop laughing for 5 minutes straight. My stomach hurt.

I haven't laughed that hard in I dont' know how long.

... made my heart jump.

There's something about objects falling out of thin air that excites me.

Complete drama. Complete love. And I melt for it every time.

I got goosebumps whenever they hit a note with full power and held it there, and I waited and hoped for another note to strike me even harder.

I felt very small sitting down.

I was always looking for a melody, and once I expected one to soon come, it ended abruptly.

...made me jump out of my seat... twice.

It was a new world.

... and I followed it through the quest for righteousness.

... game me vivid pictures in my mind and strong feelings.

I realized I was also walking into a new world, one I've never been in before.

... made my heart throb to the beat.

... kept me at the edge of my seat.

I was sad when I realized it was over.

It was surprising, beautiful, intense, and outright hilarioius.

I'm glad I stepped into that world.

... immediately brought me back to my childhood.

... was one of the hardest things I've ever done.

It made me feel important. It made me feel unique. It made me feel real.

"Thats me?!" I thought.

I would read into myself and begin to realize who I really was.

It lets your imagination run wild.

I loved seeing their emotions through their eyes.