Gorky!!

I just saw an exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art that centers on the life and work of Arshile Gorky. He wasn't received well by the power players, collectors, and art brokers when he was alive, but now, about 60 years after his death, people are beginning to give him a second look.

Though I can't honestly say that his prolific paintings and drawings resonate with me, I am nevertheless inspired by the man's work ethic, his creative fire, and the careful, original way that he approached his craft. As a young refugee from the Armenian genocide perpetrated by Turks, he set out to educate himself about art, particularly absorbed inspiration from Cezanne, Picasso, and Miro. He went to museums. By copying the styles and techniques of the masters, he eventually found his own style.

Perhaps this is one of the true silver bullets for getting students to write well and enjoy the process. Have them find an accomplished writer whom they appreciate, and have them imitate the writing style.

My daughter, who is an extraordinary writer, never received formal writing lessons. Oh sure, I've given her a couple tips along the way, and she's benefited from fine teachers who helped her hone her talent, but I've watched her find her writing voice from thoroughly reading hundreds and hundreds of books.

The Kite Runner Project

If you're anything like me, you're something of a procrastinator, but that's OK. So long as you get the job done right and on time for the people who write your checks, write your observations, or give you the grades, then you'll be fine.

Did you know that creative people often wait long periods of time to think of something, then create what they need to do in one or two magnificent burst. If you haven't yet immersed yourself in your project, then use the weekend to make it happen.

Here are the parameters.

1. If it's appropriate, use big vibrant colors. Nothing wows 'em like color!
2. Avoid handwriting of any kind. If you need to hand write, please be neat.
3. Work on creating artifacts that I'll beg you to keep to beautify my room in the future. Make it something that I'll want to share with students in my other classes.
4. Proofread. Proofread. Proofread.
5. Be ready to proudly present your work on Monday.

Done Right, On Time, Every Time

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Back in the printing business, pleasing the customer was paramount. One year, some guys in suits from corporate taught us managers and coworkers a mantra that would build and maintain business:"Done Right, On Time, Every Time." If we met these parameters for our customers, they would be sure to give us repeat business, and that meant money. On the other hand, late copy and printing jobs ALWAYS equalled disgruntled customers. I worked hard to inculcate reliability in my coworkers, training them to take the customer's expectations seriously. At times we ran late with jobs, and after keeping my customers apprised, they often agreed to let me push back the deadline.

We teachers want the same from our students. Just get the work in on time - every time. Honestly, this is the recipe for success in college.

I worry about some of my students. I really worry about them because many are conditioned to float through high school without treating all significant assignments with a sense of urgency.

Body Worlds - A COUPLE DAYS LATER

I've been chewing over Friday's trip to Body Works and rather than chosing between liking it and disliking it, I'll go for the paradox option.

On one hand I thought the following:
1. I think it's gross and morbid to convert cadavers into oversized plastic anatomical dolls. Dead folks need to be buried, cremated, or interred in a respectful manner.
2. The argument that this exhibit inspires future doctors is erroneous; people have opted to study and pratice medicine for centuries without seeing or imagining the likes of Body Works.
3. Some of the exhibits were over the top; converting cadavers into surreal sculptures (the Drawer Man, the Angel...) seemed way over the top.
4. I would never want my dead body to be striped of skin, plasticized, dissected, and placed behind glass to be gawked at by ticket-payers.


On the other hand, I liked it:
1. Nobody forced these people to donate their bodies to the exhibit (if I take the Body Works literature at its word), nor are people forced to pay to see it.
2. This really was a breath-taking, impeccably professional exhibit, constructed by magnificently creative people.
3. I learned bushels of information about the human body, and my appetite is whetted to learn more.
4. Strangely, I want to see it again. I missed a lot.

BODY WORKS

Before the trip - 8:10 AM

I've always fancied myself a fairly enlightened guy, but I'll admit it; I have some reservations about seeing Body Works at the Franklin Institute today. I've been conditioned all my life to believe that dead bodies, the shells and engines once powered by our souls, need to be treated respectfully and interred with grace, not plasticized or stuffed like some taxidermy specimen. Sure, we've stuffed and displayed nearly every critter under the sun for display in museums, but people? Is this ethical and right, even if the people have willed their bodies to the project. I understand that tradition of donating bodies to medical schools, but this seems much different.

I will maintain an open mind, and perhaps I'll learn something.

The 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah

This is the third time that I've read Kite Runner and I encountered something on page 67 that intrigued me. I want to know more about Islam, a religion that dominates the news, a religion that burgeons with 1.8 billion people, and here I am, an educated fellow, and I know virtually nothing about it.

As the book gets started, a reference is made about the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah. I investigated on-line and made a Text to Text connection that floored me: Muslims believe that the patriarch Abraham (Ibrahim) had only one son - Ishmael. Jews and Christians believe that he had two: Ishmael, the first-born by the maidservant Hagar, and Isaac, birthed by Sarah.

The Judeo-Christain tradition dictated that God directed Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on top of a mountain. Moments before the old man was about to slit his son's troat, along came an unnamed angel who ordered him to call it off, as he just proved his faith.

On the nine days preceding the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, an Islamic month, Muslim pilgrims intensively prepare for the Haj. On the 10th day they commemorate with a festival, observing the time that Ismael was nearly sacrificed by Ibrahim and saved in the nick of time by an angel named Gibril (English-Gabriel, Hebrew-Gavriel).

On the second day of Rosh Hashana, Jews read about the binding and near sacrifice of Isaac. Ten days later, Yom Kippur gets observed.

I wonder what other parallels exist between Judaism and Islam?

I told my students to post some kind of image that relates to Macbeth onto their new Blog Sites, and here is mine. I hope they have their blog and first entry ready by class time.

Role reversal by gender is glaringly obvious in Macbeth. Several times, Lady Macbeth plays the "man" chiding her husband for being soft and deliberative, stereotypical female roles, especially when it comes to grasping and retaining power. For example, Macbeth breaks down after killing Duncan, and being unable to go back to the crime scene to plant the plant the bloody knife, Lady M practically spits at him, "Infirm-of-purpose," and stalks off to put the knives on the hapless guards. At one point, she implores demons to "unsex" her, thus divesting her of feminine touchy-feeliness that could hinder her ascension to power.

During her presidential campaign, I remember Hillary wearing only pant suits on the trail. To be an alpha female in the male dominated world of politics, she needed to be seen as a hard boiled type with an edge, not some damsel who needed to ride on her husband's back. In fact, had she won the presidential office, Bill would have had to take the role of "first man" instead of the traditional spousal role: first lady.