Art

Art is one of the most important aspects of culture which may be expressed in various means. Different people have different means to express art, such as historical artifacts, films, museums, and musical pieces. In this discussion, these aforementioned types of art will be evaluated and analyzed in order to show that artist expression comes in diverse means and can affect various aspects of life.

The Black Pharaohs of  Egypt Abstract
Egypt has a history which has not been fully discovered, something referred to as  an ignored chapter of history  (Draper, 2008) a history which shows that an individuals skin color does not affect how other people see him or her. It is a history which should be able to enlighten people of the vast changes that has occurred since Europe began the slave trade the history of the black pharaohs.

The black pharaohs are actually Africans who have chosen to invade Egypt in order to  save it from itself  (Draper, 2008). The most famous black pharaoh is Piye, a ruler of Nubia, who decided that it was time to invade Egypt in order to show it that he was a rightful ruler. This history of Egypt shows that, unlike today, people do not judge other individuals based on their color.

Piye was, in fact, merely one of the many black pharaohs who have ruled  over all of Egypt for three-quarters of a century  (Draper, 2008). This only goes to show that a man, regardless of his race, may be able to rule and reunify a kingdom.

During the time of the black pharaohs, it can be seen that their skin color was irrelevant. While historical evidence in the form of art showed that people were indeed aware of differences regarding race, there were very few  evidence that people saw anything inferior with having darker skin. In fact, as stated in the first  paragraph, the only time that people actually saw darker skin to be inferior was when Europe began colonization in Africa during the 19th century.

Since the history regarding black pharaohs have been obscured, it is not a wonder that people know nothing of Africas accurate history. Historians have chosen a racist world view and glorified merely the white rulers of Egypt and ignored the reality that black pharaohs have contributed greatly to its civilization.

Mona Lisa Smile Summary
Mona Lisa Smile is a film set in the 50s starring Julia Roberts as a teacher named Katherine Watson who is teaching art history in all-girls school, Wellesley College. She is a feminist who believes that women everywhere should be able to follow their own dreams instead of going by the stereotype that they may only wives and mothers in the future.

Katherine, as a teacher, uses modern art to teach her students about feminism and the fact that women can surpass societys stereotypes of them. Since Katherine is a feminist, she believes that it is her duty to ensure that her students are not merely going to be somebodys wife. It is also seen in the film that Katherine seems to be a woman who cannot imagine that a woman can find true happiness in merely being married (Roth  Newell, 2003).

However, once she starts teaching this to her students, Katherine finds that they are conservative regarding such views, and would prefer to become wives after they graduate from college. Katherines biggest critic amongst the students is a girl named Betty Warren (Kirsten Dunst) Betty is the first to get married amongst the other girls, and like them, she believes that a womans place is in the home and that her duty is to her family and her husband (Roth  Newell, 2003).

Apart from this, Katherines colleagues are very disapproving of her teaching styles. They have told her to stick to what she is teaching, rather than teach her students about feminism, which angers her further. She pushes through and tries to convince her students that they can achieve greater things in life apart from being married (Roth  Newell, 2003).

She eventually made sense to the girls, but Katherine, however, failed to see that perhaps, the girls wanted to get married because it made them happy rather than because they feel that do not have options. There is a particular scene with one of her students saying that perhaps Katherine has not even thought that being married is what they wanted and that it is something which they consider to be important (Roth  Newell, 2003).

In the end, Katherine decides to leave, seeing that the school prefers that their students not be taught regarding feminism. She, however, made a significant change to the lives of the girls, and in the last minutes of the film, Betty Warren, previous nemesis of Katherine, wrote an editorial about Katherine as an extraordinary woman and a person who seeks truth beyond tradition, beyond definition, beyond the image (Roth  Newell, 2003).

An Evaluation of the Web Gallery of Art
The Web Gallery of Art is a website which functions as a virtual museum wherein an individual can browse various sculptures and paintings from different periods, such as the  Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassicism, and Romanticism periods  (Web Gallery of Art).

This virtual museum is perfect for individuals who want to look at various art forms and yet do not have the chance to visit an actual museum. The website is organized and the viewer may be able to search categories in order to find art which may appeal to him or her. Since the website and its database is organized and user-friendly, the  viewer can easily search for art through browsing alphabetically, chronologically, and even search for their favorite artists.

The website also has a music feature which enables the viewer to listen to classical music while browsing the database. The musical piece is designed to match the art piece or period which the individual is studying and it could be played in the background (Web Gallery of Art). This a good  feature of the Web Gallery of Art for it would enable the viewer to sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauty of art.

Classical Music
Violin Concerto No. 1, K.207 (Allegro Moderato)

This piece of classical music is one of Mozarts magnificent creations. The violins in the performance can either give the listener the feeling of excitement or sorrow. The first minute of the piece was quick, as if trying to get the listener excited about something. If one is watching a movie with that particular part of the piece as background, the effect would be positive feelings, such as when people are dancing and engaging in merriment.

The musical piece also has a few seconds which has a sad effect on the listener. Around the second minute of the piece, the tempo and the tune of the piece seems a little on the depressing side. If one is to give a particular scene on which this particular part of the piece can be used, it would probably be a sad scene perhaps a scene where people are intensely quiet due to depressing news.

However, this lasts only for a a short time and the pace of the piece picks up and the tune takes a livelier note, which can actually have an impact on the listeners mood. In a sense, the piece is like a roller coaster of emotion, for it can convey a story on its own. It is a beautiful piece of classical music and deserves a thumbs up.

Cello Suite No. 1 Prelude
This particular musical piece is beautiful, but it has a haunting effect on the listener. The fact that the musical piece is performed using a cello gives off a mysterious effect (due to the low pitch of a cello) which actually gives the listener chills. The piece is performed well and it can be a good background for theater performances and films which have scenes consisting either of suspense or mystery.

Apart from this, the musical piece also seems to be like there is a chase occurring, wherein an individual is running for his or her life. The pace of the musical piece is heart-skipping, and makes the listener visualize a rather suspenseful scene. The artist was able to interpret Bachs piece well, and is able to achieve a desired effect on the listener. The performance is laudable, and it is hauntingly beautiful in its own way.

Holberg Suite, Movement 1 Prelude
This musical piece is very entertaining for it gives off the feeling of adventure and excitement to the listener. The pacing is fast and lively, and the tune is very engaging. If one is to think of a scene that may be appropriate for this musical piece, it would be an adventure out on the sea, with the cool air kissing ones face, watching marine creatures swimming towards the ship in curiosity.

The musical piece is very inspiring in the sense that it makes the listener feel very bold and adventurous the pacing is exciting, as if engaging the listener to go out of the house and embark on an adventure. Apart from the fact that the piece is engaging, the interpretation of the GYMC Youth Symphony (conducted by Paul Pulford) is energetic, which adds to the feeling of adventure.