Word
of the Day
cul·ture
ˈkʌl
tʃərShow Spelled [kuhl-cher]
noun
1.
the quality in a person or society that arises from
a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners,
scholarly pursuits, etc.
2.
that which is excellent in the arts, manners, etc.
3.
a particular form or stage of civilization, as that
of a certain nation or period: Greek culture.
4.
development or improvement of the mind by education
or training.
5.
the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a
particular social, ethnic, or age group: the youth culture; the drug
culture.
“If art is to nourish the roots of our culture
society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.”
-
John
F. Kennedy
Since
the development of culture began in the soil of forgotten Mesopotamia, it has
enriched the fibers of the human existence. Culture has been a butterfly in
constant metamorphosis. It constantly adapts to the surroundings of war- and
breaks itself down into molecules to regain its strength in times of peace to
rise in the ashes of its enemies and fallen friends.
Culture
is an inspirational drive to the artist—that fuels the creative fumes of the
brain. Culture makes it possible for the artist to reach to the public and
deliver its almost prophetic message to crowds. We relate to culture to relate
to each other.
The Culture of Today
Today’s
culture is a fusion of the past with the innovative twist that this generation
brings with every trend and fad. Highly leaning on the crutch of pop-culture, the
generation’s philosophy is strictly based on the ideas of revolution and “going
against the grain”.
In
the years of the 21st century, specifically 2006-today, the Arab culture
as well as the entirety of the Middle Eastern area has focused narrowly on
changing the social formalities of tradition. Turning from dictators to presidents,
and slowly taking the climb to the women’s right revolution of 2010-Today, the
culture has grounded its routes in social media and the power in which the
online universe gives an individual.
Technology of Today and The Tempest
As
todays technological advances grow to burry us in our own wave of wires and
motherboards, we abuse the opportunity that technology brings.
Protests
in Tunisia, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Caro, Barcelona, and cities deep inside
of Greece: taking a stand as been a recurring situation of today’s society. Even the early (and possibly still going on)
protests at Wall Street: the American society is interested in the urban protests
of the Arab youth.
Pulling
inspiration from that raw fascination of the online riots to the real-world
protests; The MCVTS School of the Arts propels their portrayal of William Shakespeare’s: The Tempest
pushes its production to embrace the wave of technology and rebellion in which
it brings.
Are There Rebellions in The Tempest?
Quite
a few actually.
Caliban,
an earth monster in which Prospero usurped the island from, tries to stage a
coup d’état with stranded drunkards Trinculo and Stephano. Plotting to re-claim
what was rightfully his, he tries to regain the island while intoxicated with “the
sweet liquid of life”.
Miranda,
Prospero’s daughter, also has a rebellion in her own manner. Defying
her father’s wishes to talk and fall in deep-love with Ferdinand, she takes
matters into “her own hands”. Many other productions of the tempest do not
refer to Miranda as a rebellious character, because Prospero had planned that
by telling her no she would desire it more.
Ariel,
a more silent and slight rebel, is yet another character who is suppressed and
fights for freedom. Ariel’s plight is
also one of the most controversial drives of the play.
What
is human?
Yes…What IS Human?
Ariel,
a spirit who was first imprisoned by Caliban’s mother Sycorax and was freed by
her current master Prospero, desires freedom more than anything.
In
today’s day and age, Freedom is a very prominent issue. Weather it is the
freedom to a marriage, a freedom to smoke whatever you want, a freedom to vote,
and a freedom to live and die: everyone fights for their personal liberties.
A
common freedom that is almost universally fought for and over is the freedom or
right of suppression. Overcoming the suppression of the African American culture
after the Martin Luther King era, we have faced another type of suppression. In the middle east it is the suppression of
the youth and mainly the female youth. As well as the coast of Africa, the mistreatment
of women and people in general are atrocious and is in-humane in the worst
conditions. However to those who inflict the victim with the horrid burden of
slavery, trafficking, and suppression: it seems almost second-nature. The worry
of the world is that morals and mortals are becoming oblivious and blend into
another while evaporating.
Ariel
is referred to in the play as a spirit, a servant, an un-human android of air. The cross between what is human and what is
morally correct for the standards of the day are becoming to completely
different things. Because we have the right to suppress, does that mean that we
should?
QUESTION OF THE DAY: What is Human?
(Comment or share your thoughts on facebook, twitter and such)
In Conclusion…
The Tempest may be a classic piece
of Shakespearian literature, but it relates to today’s culture in many ways.
The MCVTS School of Arts is highly influenced by its ties of cultural war, suppression
and power plays. For art is the culture
of life.
Hayley Michelle & The Students of MCVYS School of Art
The Students of MCVTS School of the Arts
Performance Dates: March 14, 15, 16, 21, 22
112 Rues Lane East Brunswick, NJ
Tickets can be purchased by Students of MCVTS School of The Arts and or at the door
For
more information on topics spoken about in this blog, click to the reference/researched
links below.
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