Inspiration, Perception and Deception

‎"A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that 1,100 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by, and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace, and stopped for a few seconds, and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping, and continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally, the mother pushed hard, and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money, but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the most talented musicians in the world. He had just played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, on a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste, and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?" By: Josh Nonnenmoc.

Painting Project.... Thinking back and ahead!!

So painting project is done... work handed in and group critic embarrassingly endured!

1. You've learned at least one valuable thing this project. What is it?

I know this sound silly, but I feel like I have learned so much, I am looking at everything differently. It is as though the blinkers have been taking off and I'm seeing for the first time.

Contextual studies is fascinating, by learning how/ why and what has been done before me is making me appreciate Art in such a different way!

As for the painting project, my most valuable lesson was stripping everything right back:

• Dark and light
• Perspective
• Colour mixing
• Contents
• Subject

Over the years you are brainwashed by schools to COPY previous artists work as opposed to being influenced by them to create your own ideas. I love this new freedom I have and the confidence this is giving me to follow my own ideas and instincts! 

I now cant wait to actually start my own work without being afraid to do my own thing. I have learnt that Im not the biggest fan of painting on its own, I love experimenting with texture, colour and abstract shapes!

There are a few artists who I am really interesting in looking at, and I cannot wait to try and bring my sixties inspirations and influences to these methods in the future. I am also interested in trying to use Vermeers concepts from the 1600's with a modern twist. I have so many ideas I don't even know where to start. But like Graham (my tutor) has said the best way to start is just by experimenting, starting over and over again and just seeing where the paint takes you! 

Bringing the artists together.....

So one thing I have noticed in my first few weeks of being a mature Fine Art student, is that apart from my group I do not have a clue who anyone else is.

Year 2/3's just walk past us in the corridor like nameless faces, there are no social events, no groups to join.. nothing!

So me being me, have started in my own little way to try and change this!

I have set up a Facebook page, I know this sounds mundane but its been really nice to see everyone interacting with each other, arranging group trips etc!
As well as this I have also been trying to set up an Art Society, so far I have 20 names of Year 1's who want to join....

Again through the Facebook I am creating more interest, everyones chatting online regarding names for the group and arranging trips!

Whilst there is a part of me that is surprised none of this exists at the University already, another part of me is really glad that I can be the one who has started this little ball rolling.
Being a mature student is really an advantage as I can see how important these things are and I'm not too embarrassed to set them up for fear of being a "geek" or a "jobs worth." I know the importance of not being drunk every night, staying on top of my work and networking with fellow colleagues etc!

I know I now sound like a geek again but hey ho!! I guess I am... but when your paying £7900 a year you have to be :)

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