So here it the article for this week. It is a Pulitzter prize winning piece about an experiment in which a world class violinist, Joshua Bell, plays in a metro in washington to see what happens. Will a crowd form or will nobody recognize him? The piece uses this to delve into the issue of what beauty is and what place it has in our society. It is about a 15-25 min read. Enjoy!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html
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Regis,
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing story. I love how the author presented the premise of the experiment, and then went through all of the possible explanations for why people weren't paying attention. They can't recognize art, Americans are too busy, technology keeps them from hearing, etc. etc.
The interviews with the people who walked by were fascinating as well. This was such a good experiment for Bell, too, because I think it's good to be humbled, brought back to your roots with street performance. It also makes me really want to appreciate the next street performer I see.
Awesome article.
Regis, I really enjoyed this piece. I like how Weingarten focused so well on the people that passed by and the fact that they didn't stop to listen to Bell. It just shows how oblivious people are of their surroundings when they are in a hurry, especially in the city.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me think of a larger point of view of why is it that people are always in a rush. I know Weingarten says why specific people walked by and didn't stop, either because of their job or whatever. But why is it that everything in this world, or at least in the city, has to work at a fast pace, and causes people to miss a part of life?
Well anyways, this is a great article!
This is an incredible piece. All of my family members have been fans of Joshua Bell since he was a tween, and we saw him in concert a long time ago. I don't know if I'd recognize him as a street performer, but I know I'd appreciate hearing the music even if I was rushing to school or work. The Kantian defense is brilliant. The Aesthetic Education of Man is a piece of writing that I think about a lot, and I agree that context is important.
ReplyDeleteAnd though "high culture" (or whatever you want to call it) runs throughout the piece, the voice is young and aware of popular culture as well. Weingarten's description of Bell is playful: "Tall and handsome, he's got a Donny Osmond-like dose of the cutes, and, onstage, cute elides into hott." The two 't's made me smile. And the quote from man who had been a violin player, "If you love something but choose not to do it professionally, it's not a waste. Because, you know, you still have it. You have it forever." Honestly, I'm not that sentimental, but it made me tear up.
Er, I meant Critique of Aesthetic Judgment. Different philosopher...
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