Chiseled like "The David"

There is art all around the world. Many pieces are famous, some aren’t. Many go unrecognized to the world but are great works of art, while others are historical artifacts that are considered some of the greatest works of all time. Perhaps one of the greatest pieces of art of all time was sculpted from marble by the infamous Michelangelo. David which is also known as “The David” was created in the early 1500’s in Italy. This monstrous piece took nearly three years to complete and stands nearly seventeen feet tall!
This piece depicts a man of flawless virtue, completely naked, staring off into the distance almost in admiration of his surroundings. Michelangelo was ordered by the Duomo of Florence, Italy to construct this masterpiece in honor of David from the Bible. David was the figure who was generally depicted with the head of the slain Goliath. Unlike the previous interpretations of David, this one shows strength and power of man. The detail in David’s face shows readiness, and determination almost as if he was preparing for epic battle. He has perfect form and is shown completely naked, minus the slingshot he carries over his right shoulder. His body stays relaxed while his face tells a different story. This represents the moment between decision and battle, as a moment between conscious choice and conscious action.
The true interpretation of this great work is still unknown because many believe it is David contemplating over his victory as he rethinks the battle he has just endured. Regardless, the pure and utter size of the statue represents power. The head and hands are larger compared to regular proportions of the body to accent these areas well. This is because originally the David was to stand on the roof of the Cathedral in Florence to shy away invaders and enemies. The power of the statue was a direct representation of the power of Italy.
Today there are many versions and copies that are given the title David but the original masterpiece is the only one referenced to as The David. It was removed from the piazza, its original location, to protect if from harm and is now kept in the Academia Gallery in Florence. There was a replica placed in the original location in 1910 so that original meaning never fully fades away.
I chose this piece, because I was thinking of art, and an old joke came back to me. My best friend was joking around one day and said that he was chiseled like The David while I was chiseled like the Buddha. It made me laugh, and reconsolidate the past, but also brought up a work of art that I’ve learned a lot about. I always hear people joking around saying the exact same thing, “I am chiseled like The David.”
We have all been there, all hoped, all dreamed, to hold beauty and power that will never fade away much like this statue holds. It holds the power we thrive for, and although it is interpreted in many different ways, everyone agrees that this seventeen foot tall masterpiece holds outstanding power. One day I will see it, its always an aspiration I’ve had. With so much power, I can only think of one quote by the great Machiavelli, “It is better to be feared then loved.” At one time he was feared, but now Michelangelo’s David is admired all around the world. Art can always hold a stronger meaning then just what it shows.

The Voice of Poetry - Essay 3 Eng 101 sec 29 Final Draft

Almost everyone reads with their own tone of voice, and speed. The way we read can affect how we interpret a reading, poem, or essay. It creates opinion and diversity as we deviate from the original meaning that the author may have intended. It’s sometimes important to hear a live reading or a recording from the original author or poet to understand the true meaning of the text. Since we generally aren’t ones who write the text, we cannot develop a full understanding of the authors’ point, since we weren’t there. However writings and recordings aren’t ever the same. Each style has its own benefits in terms of understanding the poem itself.

            In 2001 Edward Hirsch wrote a new book composed of all different styles and forms of poetry called, The Living Fire, New and Selected Poems. It has many collections of poems, all from personal experiences he has lived through. One poem titled “On the Anniversary of Joseph Brodsky’s Death” was a memory that he remembered due to the intense cold during a day five years after the death of a man named Joseph Brodsky. Eight years after writing the poem he recorded it in front of a live audience at the University of Iowa.

            In Hirsch’s reading of his poem “On the Anniversary of Joseph Brodsky’s Death” he first gave a bit of background information of why he wrote it. Hirsch was sent to Russia by the state department. It was the fifth anniversary of Joseph Brodsky’s death after his eternal exile. In his

poem, Hirsch referenced multiple times the insanely cold weather and the darkness for twenty- three hours a day in Archangelsk, Russia. He said it took him a while to figure out how to write about his experience, but finally figured it out, then went on proceeding with his reading of the poem.

            The first thing I noticed was his tone. He wasn’t monotone in his presentation, but seemed very bold and bland in his reading of the poem. His voice didn’t fluctuate much but did show emphasis on some areas. You could hear the most emphasis when he brought up the Arctic chill through a cold war that will never end. It was the strongest memory he held from the days he stayed in northern Russia and you could tell how vividly he remembered it. According to Hirsch, Soviet Russia was alive and well in Archangelsk (Archangel). His voice seemed to get lower and more silent when he recalled anything to do with the USSR, almost as if he became a coward through that aspect of his experience. As he talked about the soldiers marching in muffled boots at night he grew a sense of confidence in his voice before the sorrow of the day to come. The anniversary mourning of the morning to come set a heavy tone of intensity in his voice, out of respect. He slowed down as he read this aloud, and left it in silence. After the sounds of sorrow, he left his reading in peace, saying. “Snow occupied the city.” At the end of his reading, he paused for about ten seconds, to really let his empathy sink in. He spoke of the poem as a whole, fluently carrying on from one point to another.

            However in Hirsch’s writing, which his reading matched word for word, he broke the poem up into couplets as the topics changed. In his writing, he goes from cold and weather to statues of history, back to cold, then to living objects, pausing in between each different two line stanza. The writing doesn’t seem to flow as fluently as his recording of the poem, but in the reading you can understand more about the detail about his memory. In contrast to the reading, which you only hear once, the writing of the poem you can read over and over at your own speed, to help you understand and really feel what Hirsch is trying to describe. When we read a poem, without listening, we make our own interpretation of the idea. We analyze more of the poem and break it down trying to decipher its meaning. When you see the piece of work, the words have more meaning since they are right there in front of you. We can see more style and can read at our own speed, rather than listening to the author recite it as we try to keep up. The main difference usually is that just a poem gives us no tone and sense of feeling, while a recording or live recital of the poem itself by the author who wrote it does all that and can help us understand why the poem was written.

            In the case of “On the Anniversary of Joseph Brodsky’s death” by Edward Hirsch I could get the sense through both works of art. Hearing a recording shows the power of tone, while reading a poem yourself shows the power of words. They hold many differences, but mainly depend on how we the readers, can understand his meaning in speed. The best thing that can be done is listen to the author read it, then read the poem yourself. In Hirsch’s case he gives good background knowledge which helps us understand why he is writing the poem and why he puts emphasis on some parts more than others.

            Hirsch’s poem puts emphasis on parts in both the text and recording. Several times he references the brutal cold weather as the sun hides behind the smokestacks like a soldier frozen in place. He shows how dark and gloomy the time was both mentally and physically. It’s almost as if the day was affected by the history, both being gloomy and depressing. Death is cold and silent, much like the tone of the entirety of the poem. He reads most of it calm and silently, only emphasizing what was a direct effect on him.

After doing a bit of research on Joseph Brodsky, one could see how Edward Hirsch could relate to him. Brodsky was a Soviet- Russian- American poet who was expelled for social parasitism. That turned out to be a good thing because he became a world renowned professor at many Ivy League schools, and ended up winning a Nobel peace prize in 1987. He was clearly an inspiration to Hirsch and his work because the awards and honors through poetry and writing Brodsky had achieved. Today, Hirsch holds the great American poet title, due to great respect for Joseph Brodsky.

            Through inspiration and dedication alike, Edward Hirsch has become the ideal American poet for the present day. His writings present so much tone and passion, that many recordings and readings of his work are not necessary. However, once you hear his slight southern accent and slur on words, it adds emphasis to the lyrical analogies he presents us with. He writes his poetry all from memories he holds, and reads them with intense passion and structure, that make times once can feel like we were actually there.

            Passion creates emphasis, and Edward Hirsch is passionate about his work. “On the Anniversary of
Joseph Brodsky’s Death” Hirsch wrote his poem through every feeling, sense, and emotion he had. He felt cold and could hear nothing around him but pure silence. He saw children throwing snowballs at a Soviet
statue almost as if it were a rebellion against the government of Russia. He could taste the salty air, as he
would vanish from humanity in the thick cover of darkness. He references Brodsky in his poem when he
says, “his love for watery ports and stubborn cats.” This references that they knew each other on a personal
level, but even in his recording, he never admitted to knowing Brodsky on a personal level. His writing and
recording are very similar in structure in pace. Hirsch elaborates on each of his ideas, explaining why in his
recording, and giving more detail in his poem. Together, in turn they complete one another elevating each
idea, detail, reference, and thought. Two different forms of expression, over one work of art by the same
author provides a full understanding of the text through emotion, detail, passion, sense, and empathy.

Annotated Bibliography

Brodsky, Joseph M. "Joseph Brodsky - Biography." Nobelprize.org. Les Prix Nobel. Web. 05 Nov. 2010
This is a source about the life in entirety of Joseph Brodsky. It talks about his style and influence of  writing, but most importantly it talks about Brodsky’s expulsion from Soviet Russia. It speaks of his achievements and works, and about his journey of life. Its useful for me to assess the points about his expulsion and death, because those are the two key points that Edward Hirsch writes his poem “On the Anniversary of Joseph Brodsky’s death. Its factual and leads to conclusions without allotting for assumptions to be made.

Dizard, Robert. "Death of a Poet Laureate- Library of Congress Information Bulliten." 05 Feb 1996. Library of Congress.
This piece is important because it focus’s on the key points of Joseph Brodsky’s life. You learn more about his childhood and what led to his expulsion from Soviet Russia. Conspiracy theories are a strong matter through the Library of Congress. It is much like the previous source, but gives more details about Brodsky’s expulsion and death, while the other focused more on achievements. This was a good source to help me find out more background information.

Hirsch, Edward. Live Recording September, 2001. http://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/vwu&CISOPTR=1599&CISOBOX=1&REC=1
This source is the actual reading and recording of Edward Hirsch’s poem “On the anniversary of Joseph Brodsky’s death. You can see that Hirsch is trained to be a writer, not necessarily a reader of poetry. Its important to hear him read however because it illustrates and gives his words more of a true voice and meaning. It presents us with speed and emotion, and emphasizes key components to the poem by Hirsch. He gives background information on why he wrote the poem, and reads it flawlessly in his own tempo to help us understand a memory he remembers vividly. Since it’s a direct source it is very reliable.

Hirsch, Edward. The Living Fire: New and Selected Poems. On the Anniversary of Joseph Brodsky's Death. Random House INC, Alfred Knopf. Janurary 2001.
This is my primary source, and is where I found the actual poem, “On the Anniversary of Joseph Brodsky’s Death”. It is very important to the sources used in my essay because the words Hirsch uses in his poem directly affect my essay. He vaguely brushes upon his own history and influences and through this book of collected poems by Edward Hirsch, I found out that Joseph Brodsky was one of his direct influences. The poem itself is very important because it allots us to read in detail the entire poem and make our own opinion of his writing. Still we can understand his point and meaning and we can see the direct emphasis on certain parts of the original poem.
McQuade, Donald. McQuade, Christine. Seeing and Writing 4. On reading Visual and Verbal Text; Reading a Poem. Boston, MA. Deford St. Martin's Publisher. 2010. 4 Nov, 2010
Seeing and writing 4 , is a very important source which helped me analyze and understand both the vocal recording and writing of the poem by Hirsch. It helped me focus on key points and areas about tone image speed and emphasis. Many parts can be useful, however I only used the parts in the back that would help me analyze and break down a poem. It shows key points and tells us the details to look at so that we may understand the point that the author is trying to make. This source wasn’t directly related to the poem or essay, except for the fact that it pointed out key details to me as I listen to the recording and read Hirsch’s poem thoroughly.

** Note: I apologize for the style of the last paragraph. I cant figure out why it is copying and pasting that way. It happens I guess, and Have a Happy Thanksgiving Professor Scott. :)

The Sounds of Peace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYVw9xe2kW8 (Listen to the Original String version while you read if you'd like)

Perhaps one of the greatest classical pieces of music ever written came from the late 1600’s. Johann Pachelbel wrote Canon in D, which is still a popular tune known and used today. Pachelbel was a German born composer, who was also a well renounced organist, and a teacher, who soon became a well known figure in all of southern Germany. He wrote and composed many classical pieces but Canon in D was the piece that made him legendary.
Canon in D was his only canon piece, but was never considered a true canon because he didn’t carry on the unison in three sections of the piece. What’s so special about this piece is the instruments it is directed towards to emphasize the beauty of all instruments in an orchestra. Pachelbel composed it for the three sections of violins and violas, giving each a lovely melody. The only instrument that doesn’t seem to live up to it’s beauty is the cello or bass of the song, because it gets eight quarter notes, that are repeated over and over again throughout the entirety of the song.
In the 1970’s the piece became very popular in America. Now it is commonly used at weddings, graduation ceremonies, and receptions. It represents a positive image, and peaceful tone, which is why so many of today’s artists use the count and notes in extensive amounts of today’s lyrical pieces.
In the song itself, the sounds start off very peaceful and quiet, with only a cello playing its melody. It shows how calm the life of the song starts. From there the violins and second violins. They carry on the melody, as if they learn from the eight step bass, before they go out on their own. The first violins then begin their own melodies which are soon followed and repeated by the second violins. The whole song is all string instruments but can be preformed on literally any instrument today.
As the song progressed the violas fill in with the cello, while the first and second groups of violins take off on their fast up-beat leading melody which carries on for about a third of the song. For the life of the song this is the still peaceful yet frantic section as its growing in intensity and melody. Once the second violas join the cello again it calms down to a whole new level.
Just as the song started it’s life, being mellow and calm, it begins to die down in the same direction. Only the first set of violins carry on their own melody as the tempo slows down, becoming a calm peaceful melody once again. This classical carries on and eventually fades out, leaving the listener in a peaceful state of mind because of the charming melodies all combined on five different versions of string instruments.
This is a piece with no lyrics, but a stong meaning. After you listen to it you’ll understand that simplicity can present true beauty in life. Pachelbel represented the stages of life, in three beats (although some say four), throughout the entirety of his song Canon in D. One reason why understand this piece so well, is because my band has used the notes, and I’ve preformed it many times to audiences. It is my favorite classical piece to listen to because I admire the complexity of the melodies in such a simple work of music. Its truly beautiful. If you ever need to hear the sound of peace, try this peace out. It helps me every time I need to calm down or focus!

“And Teeming with Souls Shall it Ever Be”

Have you ever had a scene from a movie implant memories in your head? Most movies in general are insipid and boring, while some are engaging and memorable.  We all have our favorite movies. Movies can be any kind of topic; horror movies, drama, child movies, anime, action, adventure, and the ever popular “chick flick”. I enjoy most movies, but unlike the average person, I only hold one movie in my head as my favorite movie. The Boondock Saints by Troy Duffy exemplifies the Irish population of south Boston in a heart racing battle against the Russian Mob. Now don’t get me wrong, the entirety of the movie in full duration is an amazing sight for the eyes, but once scene tops them all for me.

            It’s not something I can call personal to me, but it does bring up quite the memory. In the scene, the two Murphy brothers along with their long lost father bust into a court house, for the final execution of the Papa Don of the Russian Mob. They were vigilantes that were taking out the criminals of Boston’s most notorious crimes. Stuck between right and wrong, Agent Paul Smecker of the FBI ends up helping this murder of the Don. As the scene continues, the three men work their way through the courthouse and bust into the room of the Don’s trial. Screaming and yelling, they take Papa Joe, as he’s called, to his knees. The brothers jump up and yell with such true emotion that you feel as if you were there. It’s like you were there as the original witness.

            They speak of heart, two forms of evil, a greater kind of man, the difference between a good man, and one that does nothing. With all eyes on them, the moment has come. The execution of Papa Joe comes only after the classic family prayer. The three in unison annunciate, “And Sheppard’s we shall be, for thee my lord, for thee. Power has descended forth from thy hand that our feet may swiftly carry out thy command. So we shall flow a river forth unto thee, and teeming with souls shall it ever be.” One by one in Latin they follow with “En Nomeni Patri, Et Fili, Et Spirictus Sancti” (meaning in the name of the lord may your soul rest in peace). Then three bullets are fired, all through the head of the Don. Terror breaks out and question fills the room of the right decision. The men vanish like ghosts and are not seen for another ten years.

            There are two reasons why I enjoy this movie scene so much. The first is the intense passion that the brothers portray the scene with. You get dragged into it, making it seem like its real life. Its acting and plot at its finest. The second is that during my freshmen year in high school, me and two friends re-enacted this very scene to multiple classes in our school. It gave off reactions of reality, because we all felt the true passion from the original scene.

            All in all, this entire movie has one scene that is implanted as a memory in my head. Not because I’m Irish and it’s exciting, but because it holds more emotion and passion than anything I’ve ever seen in a movie. Wouldn’t that catch your attention too?

Expressive Art

           Everyone at some point in their lives has had something or multiple things that they can pinpoint to express themselves. Haven’t you had something that only fits to just you? Some things that make no sense to anyone but have such symbolism to that one person that they want to express the figures or quotes on themselves to show off to the world. In fact in today’s age many people have tattoos to show why they are the way they are. Some are simple and small, some as big as an elephant and complex. There is a man who has a sleeve of tattoos that is one of the most amazing works of art I have ever seen in my life.

            My Uncle Mike is one of the most amazing musicians I’ve ever met. He played many instruments, from trumpet and piano, to the drums, and bass. However, he’s been an outstanding guitarist for over forty years and his talent still never ceases to amaze me! He is an outgoing person, has traveled the world, played in many band shows, rides his Harley, and works for Coors Beer Company. Not too much to complain about if you ask me. Music has been the focus of his life though, especially on the guitar. He played a lot of Pantera and Metallica covers, and also has eleven original songs that sound like crickets harmonizing in the night. He decided about three years ago to represent that huge aspect of his life to show off to the world. He got a full music sleeve of tattoos on his left arm.

            At the start, which would be his wrist, is a series of growing blue flames. Originally they were a tattoo gone wrong but he got it covered at his new tattoo artist. The flames grow into a red mist and then there are images on different things. On his forearm is a huge amplifier putting out music notes that flow all of the way up and down his arm, and skulls trying to break through the speakers showing that all of his life can be projected through music. There is a Metallica symbol by his elbow in such detail; it looks three dimensional and alive. As the piece of art continues up his arm, the details grow stronger and stronger. On his tricep is a picture of Dimebag from Pantera resting in the clouds. Dimebag died in a tragic accident but is one of the best guitarists to ever play. On his shoulder is the most vibrant and bright picture you’ll ever see in your life. In the brightest inks is a guitar in the clouds. It’s a Les Paul guitar surrounded by bright yellow and orange, acting as the main attraction of his arm. Above that are his initials. The detail is so excruciating and amazing you really need to take a nice long look to really respect the work and art done by the tattoo artist to put a frame on one man’s life.   

            Tattoos are a fantastic way to represent a person’s life in any detail that they choose. Sure they get expensive, and hurt a little bit, but its art that lasts for a lifetime. Most are purely original and are seen with a vision, while some are common but still mean something to someone. Tattoos are truly the one work of art that can hold pure emotion and meaning to someone and can represent almost a whole life through an image. Hopefully one day, I will have a sleeve of the same Excalibur to show everyone why I am the way I am.