Kill the Wabbit

Our class discussion was an extension of our previous class on the topic of opera.  Here we focused on more modern operas and the lyrical music and stories behind the shows.  

One film excerpt I found especially interesting and humorous was from a Bugs Bunny cartoon titled "Kill the Wabbit".  This definitely showed the cultural significance and influence opera still has on popular culture today.  This particular episode attempted to encompass all different elements involved in a typical opera, including technology.  Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny go through a series of violent, romantic, and tragic duets to well-known opera music with comical lyrics relating to the characters' relationship.  Elmer Fudd uses his magic helmut to strike lightning and create a thunderous storm to harm the rabbit, using technology in his favor.  Costumes were also used by Bugs Bunny to give the illusion of being an attractive female to distract Elmer.

We also focused on tragic romances with somewhat perverted twists within them.  "Carmen", "La Traviata", "Aria", and "Salome" all exhibited this.  Aria and Salome used violence and mutilation as well, showing the insanity that love can cause during hard times.  

All of these operas were definitely different from what one normally thinks of when classic opera comes to mind.  This shows how time and society influences music and what is acceptable to produce in public entertainment.

Opera

Day 2 of Art and Technology class was primarily based around opera and the influence it has had on culture and society worldwide.  The Baroque era was one that brought out music and performances that is still heard and used today.  Bach and Mozart were two extremely influential musicians we discussed.  

Movie clips from "Amadeus" were shown for a large portion of the class.  As one of my favorite movies, I was intrigued and extremely interested in what we learned of the film's historical contexts and social representations from that time period.  I found it extremely significant that Opera was to that time period, what films are viewed as today.  

The technology and deus ex machinae that was used in the operas we viewed in class was fascinating as well.  "Vatel" especially exemplified this with the overuse of elaborate fireworks and special effects.  

With the progression of time and excessive greediness on the part of the elite during the baroque and neo baroque era sparked a new form of popular entertainment for the common people.  This was also exhibited well in "Amadeus" and showed the immense socioeconomic division between people during this time period.

I truly have a newfound interest and respect for opera now and hope to see and learn more about this form of art and music in the future.

First Thoughts...

I will start my first post by giving a little introduction about myself.  I am currently a graduating Senior at the University of Tampa, majoring in Communications and minoring in Advertising.  I have just begun this honors course, titled Art and Technology, and am extremely excited for this upcoming semester, although the thought of graduating in May is not a happy one.  

Art has always been of great importance and significance to me in my life.  Growing up with two very artistic parents, who are both also in the field of advertising, has given me much to see and learn throughout the years.  I have always been open to new and different forms of art, no matter how extreme or abstract, adding to my intrigue of this class.

After having our first introductory class of Art and Technology, I left feeling immensely interested and curious of lessons to come.  I found both movie excepts we viewed to be extremely riveting and significant to the topics discussed and to future lectures and assignments in the class.  Learning about multimedia and its historical evolvement was also very pertinent to the learning process of art and technology.

In sum, I am extremely excited about this class and can't wait to experience and learn more throughout the semester.