“(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”

Context

“(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” is a song originally performed by Aretha Franklin in 1967. However, the song was written by the famous songwriters Carole King and Gerry Goffin. The two were married and wrote over 100 hit songs for other performers. Coffin wrote lyrics and King was the composer of the group. The song was released as a single relatively shortly after Franklin gained her initial success. Shortly after, in 1971, King herself recorded the song and it appeared on one of the first vocal albums, Tapestry. Unfortunately, Goffin and King were divorced in 1969. Coffin had written the lyrics to the song. Despite this, “Natural Woman” appeared as the final track on King’s album. King was hesitant about recording the song, but ultimately did it. She offers a much calmer version, unlike Franklin’s upbeat and soulful rendition. Céline Dion also recorded a version in 1995. It, similar to Franklin’s recording, is very upbeat and soulful.  Finally, “Natural Woman” appears on the Beautiful: The Carole King Musical  broadway cast album, released in 2015. Also in 2015, King became a Kennedy Center Honoree. At the awards ceremony, Franklin sang Natural Woman as a tribute to King and her work.

How the Artist Conveys Meaning

The two themes of this song are perfectly connected. The first is self-esteem. At the beginning, the speaker “used to feel so uninspired.” She is not confident and she is becoming lost. But then, she found someone who changes all of that. “Now I'm no longer doubtful of what I'm living for and if I make you happy I don't need to do more.” The speaker is now confident with her life. She is also trying to do the same for her partner. If she can make them happy, then she is content. A theme that nearly directly relates to that is true love. It may seem cheesy, but it perfectly describes how the speaker feels when she meets her partner. Her partner makes her forget all of her flaws and she know feels like, as the title implies, a natural woman. “Oh, baby, what you done to me? You make me feel so good inside. And I just wanna be close to you. You make me feel so alive.” This is how the speaker feels when she is around her partner. She feels as if she can be herself. She finally has a revelation that she can just be true to herself.

Why I Find it Beautiful

Carole King's Tapestry

I learned about this song in a relatively unconventional way. I saw Beautiful: The Carole King Musical in December of 2015. I had heard the song before this, but this time, it really stuck with me. This is one of the final songs in the show. The scene portrays King in the recording studio while recording Tapestry. King is very nervous about recording the song. Halfway through, the actress playing King started crying. I knew that she was just in character and not actually crying, but this made me really connect to King and her whole story. She had such a rough relationship with her husband and writing partner. For this reason, King’s version of the song on Tapestry is my favorite version. It is a lot more raw and emotional than the other versions. I personally tend to enjoy songs that directly reference the artist’s personal experiences. It really gives a rare glimpse into their lives. I also see beauty in the lyrics. It is really important that a romantic partner makes you feel comfortable and confident. This song really puts this message across in a clear and concise way. Overall, it is a very uplifting and powerful ballad that has affected generations across the board. 

The Picasso

Context

The Picasso being unveiled

Among the most iconic sculptures in Chicago, The Picasso is an enigma. What is it supposed to represent? The Richard J. Daley plaza is home to this structure. The sculpture was commissioned in 1963 by architects working on the Richard J. Daley Center. Pablo Picasso said to the architects that he usually does not do commission work, but he did it anyway. He accepted because apparently wanted to be involved in projects in the two gangster cities, the other being Marseille, France. He refused the $100,000 that was offered to him because he wanted the sculpture to be a gift to the people of Chicago. Picasso never gave the sculpture a name or title. It is commonly referred to as Chicago Picasso or, simply, The Picasso. Before this sculpture was unveiled, there was a great controversy. This would be one of the first sculptures in the city that would not dedicated to a historical figure. Also, the fact that the subject was not definite was frightening to some. The sculpture has grown into an iconic Chicago landmark. It appears in movies such as The Blues Brothers and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Even though The Picasso thoroughly confused Chicagoans for a while, they have grown to accept this sculpture in their beautiful city.

How the Artist Conveys the Meaning

The Picasso

Mystery is the over arching theme of this structure is mystery. First, no one definitely knows the subject. Picasso never explicitly stated it. Some speculations include an insect, a dog, and a French woman named Lydia Corbett. Personally, I think it looks like a baboon. The most popular theory is that it is based on Corbett. Picasso painted about forty works inspired by her. Another looming mystery is the title. Did Picasso purposely not name his work? Maybe Picasso would have done this to keep the work subjective. This way, each individual could have their own interpretation as to the subject and the meaning. Being different is a not as obvious theme represented in the piece. As mentioned above, The Picasso was the first of its kind in Chicago. The people of Chicago were used to having grand statues of historic figures sprinkled throughout the city. A city council member even suggested replacing the structure with a statue of Ernie Banks. The Picasso was quite a change. However, now abstract statues are more mainstream. The Cloudgate is another iconic landmark that happens to be a sculpture. Some may say that this structure was revolutionary in the Chicago public art scene. 

Why I Find it Beautiful

The Picasso cheering on the
Chicago Blackhawks

I find beauty in the mystery of this sculpture. While I am convinced that it is supposed to be a baboon, I enjoy hearing other people’s interpretations of the piece. I believe that all art can be subjective, but this one definitely strikes interesting conversations. Everyone seems to have a different opinion. Even though it is a sculpture created by arguably the most famous artist of the 20th century, it is still considered public art. I often see people climbing the base and using it as a slide. Whenever i pass by it, I almost never reflect on how special it is. I realize now how special it is to have this massive Picasso statue in my backyard. This shows how the public has learned to accept The Picasso as a part of the city. Also I find this piece beautiful because it represents home. Chicago is such a beautiful city and I have loved growing up here. The Picasso is strangely involved in so much of the culture of the city. For instance, when the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup, The Picasso was decorated appropriately. So much is reflected through the sculpture that Picasso could not possibly have intended. 

The Cathedral of St. Patrick

Context

Exterior of The Cathedral of
St. Patrick

The Cathedral of St. Patrick is a Catholic cathedral commonly known as St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral located right in the middle of Manhattan. The land that it is built on has been owned by some sort of religious organization since 1810. Between then and 1858, when construction began, the land had been used as a school, an orphanage, a safe haven, and even an asylum. Commissioned by Archbishop John Joseph Hughes, St. Patrick’s Cathedral was built to promote religious tolerance. Construction lasted twenty years, finishing in 1878. The cathedral was dedicated in the following year. The structure was designed by James Renwick. He decided to replicate classic gothic architecture in order to create ties to the “Old World.” This remarkable piece of architecture is noted for its craftsmanship and shows that America is capable of producing classic architecture. There is a large rose window similar to that of Norte Dame in Paris. Also, Renwick added two 100 meter tall spires, also a typical element of gothic cathedrals. The New York City cathedral became a national landmark in 1976. Since then, the church has gone through an extensive renovation, which was completed just days before Pope Francis’s visit in September, 2015. 

How the Artist Conveys Meaning

Interior of The Cathedral of
St. Patrick

Serenity is a major theme that might not have been intended by the architect. While peace is intended in every place of worship, there is a special quiet that can only really be heard in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The cathedral is located on 5th Avenue, one of the most iconic streets in the world, and is in one of number one tourist attractions, New York City. Outside of the walls, there is a bustling city filed with a variety of noise. However, when one steps in the cathedral, the whole world seems to slow down. It is nearly silent inside, despite the multitude of visitors wandering the chapel. It serves as a calm place in the hectic and busy lives of tourists and New Yorkers alike. In a similar way, another theme is prayer and worship. Again, this is a given for any place of worship, but it is amplified because of the location. Inside the chapel, many visitors can be seen either praying, or simply sitting and enjoying the beauty of the building. Again, it is a beautiful way to stop and put life on pause for a few minutes. Even is one is not religious, because of the quiet, it is a great place to relax and reflect.

Why I Find it Beautiful

St. Patrick's Cathedral and statue
of Atlas located across the street

I find this building beautiful not only for the architecture, but also for the purpose it serves. It allows people to simply take a break from life for a second. It is also beautiful to reflect on the architecture from the outside. The spires are simply stunning and the stain glass windows are breathtaking. Also, it stands out from the rest of the stores and modern buildings along 5th avenue. For Christians and non-Christians alike, there is beauty in the history of the church. St. Patrick’s Cathedral was built during a time of great change in this country, the Civil War. Even though construction halted during the conflict, it is an interesting snapshot of history and what times were like back then. It was build during to time of the I also find it beautiful because of its initial intention, religious tolerance. This is still very relevant today. Because New York City is a melting pot or different cultures and religions, it is important that people know the intention of the cathedral. Whatever your views on religion are, there is no arguing that this church is an important architectural monument that has a rich history and an important message.

The Works of René Magritte

Context

The Son of Man

René Magritte was born in 1898 and died in 1967. He was born in Belgium. Magritte was educated at Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts. Surrealism is the major technique and genre of art that Magritte focuses on. Surrealism was a major art movement in the 20th century. Its purpose is to show the audience how their mind can be creative unconsciously. The audience’s mind is allowed to wander while contemplating a piece of art. Many surrealist artists convey this message by creating a juxtaposition between two realistic elements in the piece of art. Many times, especially in surrealist paintings, there is a realistic element paired with another element, but they are related in a very nonrealistic way. For example, one of Magritte’s most famous paintings is The Son of Man. In this painting, a man is depicted with an apple floating in front of his face. While these two objects exist, the situation is impossible. Some other famous surrealists are Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo, and Pablo Picasso Along with Surrealism, Magritte also utilizes bright colors, flat looking illustrations, and simple figures to covey the meaning of the pieces. Because of the lack of excessive detail, the audience is really able to develop their own ideas about the piece.

The Treachery of Images

How the Artist Conveys the Meaning

One theme throughout Magritte’s works is Surrealism itself. Everything is not as it seems. This can have some philosophical, specifically Platonic, ties to it as well. One of Magritte’s famous painting is of a pipe. However below the drawing of the pipe reads “Ceci nest pas une pipe” or “This is not a pipe.” This tells the audience that the drawing of a thing is not the thing itself. Putting it into philosophical terms, the drawing is nearly a representation of the form. The particular can only be represented through the physical existence of, in this case, a pipe. Another theme that is presented in many of Magritte’s paintings is a sense of questioning and mystery. His works are supposed to bring about a sense of mystery and madness. The audience is not supposed to simply interpret one thing from the painting. Likewise, everyone has completely different understandings of the same piece of art. Each piece is meant to be very complex and confusing to the audience. This simply adds to the theme of questions and mystery. Magritte did not paint a definite subject that was meant to covey a particular meaning. He purposefully left the interpretations to the audience. 

Why I Find it Beautiful

Le Blanc Seing

I personally find beauty in perspective. I always try to see different pieces of art from a new angle. This often gives insight into what the artist meant for the painting to mean. However, this is not the case with Magritte. In fact, the meaning is totally based on the audience, not the artist. The fact that Magritte purposely added this aspect to his paintings is very interesting. For example, my favorite Magritte painting is Le Blanc Seing or The Blank Check in English. This painting depicts a lady raining a horse through the woods. While this idea does not seem out of the ordinary, the way it is presented is very unique. First of all, the title does not in any way reflect the subject of the painting. This is true for many of Magritte’s paintings. The horse and the trees seem to be almost woven in a way that cannot be physically obtained. It creates almost an optical illusion that can easily be interpreted in multiple different ways. This ties into another way that I find Magritte’s work beautiful. Sometimes, there is no answer, and that is beautiful. The fact that we will never know what the definite answer is mind boggling. We always seem to so busy trying to find solutions. It is nice to know that somethings do not have solutions, and that is perfectly okay.

The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst

Context

Promotional Poster for The Jinx

The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst is a documentary that follows the mysteries surrounding the life of an accused murderer Robert Durst. Durst is a wealthy real estate heir who lives in New York City. He is accused of murdering his friend Susan Berman in 2000 and his neighbor Morris Black in 2001. He is also a suspect in the disappearance of his wife Kathleen McCormack, who went missing in 1982 and has yet to be found. The documentary was written by Andrew Jarecki, Marc Smerling, and Zachary Stuart-Pontier. It aired in 2015 on HBO as a six part series. In 2010, Jarecki and Smerling worked on a film called All Good Things. This film is inspired by the life of Robert Durst. Because of his connection to this film, Jarecki was able to interview Durst for The Jinx. The two met on several occasions. Durst is known to not be cooperative with the press, so Jarecki was surprised when he was contacted. Segments of these interview are sprinkled throughout the series. Also included in the documentary are news clips, security camera footage, and reenactments of various events that surround Durst’s accusations. The Jinx won two Emmys in 2015. 

How the Artist Conveys the Meaning

Durst in an interview with Jarecki

One theme that is presented in the series is money in the justice system. The main question is the documentary is “Why has Robert Durst not been convicted of these crimes?” Most people would say that he has not been convicted because he is innocent. However, throughout the documentary, the audience is shown very convincing pieces of evidence. The slogan that can be seen on promotional posters for the series is “Four decades, three murders, and one very rich suspect.” The fact that Robert Durst has a net worth of $100 million says a lot about his case. Durst was able to hire the best lawyers to defend him in court. This brings up the topic of economic equality. If Durst had not had such convincing and high profile lawyers, he would probably not be giving an interview to Andrew Jarecki. He might be in prison. Another theme is that of honesty. In the interviews that Jarecki conducts, he is trying to make Durst contradict himself. He does this on a few occasions. Despite this, he is always very firm in his convictions. A theme that this presents is that the truth can be subjective. While the audience is not sure is Durst is lying, they can see obvious problems with his story.

Why I Find it Beautiful

I find beauty in the unknown. The fact that we as human beings do not know everything that there is to know is very fascinating. What else is there to know that we don’t already? Throughout the series, the audience is constantly wondering is Durst did commit the various crimes. If I could, I would have watched the entire show in one sitting. Each episode just provides more information. In the end, everything is tied together in a very unexpected way. Also, while there are very typical documentary elements (interviews, news clips, etc.), there are very interesting (and sometimes very graphic) reenactments. This element made the series feel like a crime show instead of a non-fiction documentary. There are so many elements that extend beyond the cases. There is family drama and mystery. If you liked Making a Murderer, you will LOVE this series. It is so much more intense and suspenseful. It also portrays the information in a very interesting and creative way. A good way to judge a TV show or really any piece of art is how it affects the viewer. Honestly, I thought about the ending for days. I watched this show about six months ago, but I still occasionally think about it and it still shocks me to this day. If you are looking for a satisfying yet thrilling documentary, The Jinx is definitely the place to start. 

Next to Normal

Context

Poster from the Broadway
production of
Next to Normal

Next to Normal is a musical that opened on Broadway in April of 2009 and ran for nearly two years. This profound and revolutionary musical follows the main character, Diana Goodman and her family who, from the outside, they look like “a perfect loving family.” However, Diana has been living with bipolar II disorder for the past seventeen years. Her son, Gabe, dies in infancy, but she has hallucinations of him constantly Diana’s husband, Dan, and her daughter, Natalie, are constantly competing with Gabe, for her attention. This begins to tear their family apart.

The romanticism of mental illness drove composers Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey to create this musical, shedding light on what it is like to live with bipolar disorder. They felt the need to bring “justice” to people living with mental illness by portraying it in the correct way. In early developments of the show, it was much more comical. As the writers proceeded, they made the decision to cut most of the comedy and really focus on the seriousness of the matter. Also, through out the development phase, research was being done about bipolar II disorder and it’s various treatments. However, the book writers did not change most of the medical terms, making the diagnosis of Diana’s disorder “invalid.”

How the artist conveys the meaning

Examples of costumes in
Next to Normal

One major theme is very cliché. That is, basically, don’t judge a book by its cover. From the outside, the Goodman family seems perfectly normal. They live in a nice house in a nondescript american suburb. It isn’t until the end of the first number that the audience really notices that there is anything wrong with Diana. This theme is portrayed through the simplicity of the set and costumes. Most of the characters simply wear jeans and a t-shirt for the duration of the show. The set is very modern and sleek. It is the basic framework of a house with little decoration. This theme is also portrayed simply by the title. A lyric in the song “Maybe” is, “I don't need a life that's normal, that's way too far away, but something next to normal would be okay.” This shows how the family is just trying to get by as an average family. 

Another, more general theme is unconditional love. This is really shown through the relationships between the characters, specifically between Diana and Dan. Dan never threatens to leave Diana. He is always determined to keep Diana healthy and happy. A lyric that personifies this idea is from the song “I Am The One.” “I am the one who knows you. I am the one who cares. I am the one who's always been there. I am the one who's helped you. And if you think that I just don't give a damn, then you just don't know who I am.” Dan sings this to Diana after she tells him that he doesn’t know what she is going though. 

In general, the artists involved portrayed these themes effectively by having a small cast of 6 actors. This creates a much more intimate atmosphere and helps in the storytelling element. 

How I find it beautiful

I strongly agree with the themes that this piece presents. Even though the theme on no judgement is presented in many different ways, I believe that most people do not really take the theme to heart. This piece really helps to personify this general message and to help the audience to see it in a new setting and with a new perspective. Next to Normal has had many international productions. This fact speaks volumes about its universal themes and plot.

Set and costumes for the final scene 

from Next to Normal

Something else that really draws me to this piece is the general design. I love the simplicity of the sets, designs, and the general poster. As I expand my horizons in the world of musical theatre, I have noticed that some of my favorite shows have the same scenic designer as Next to Normal: Mark Wendland. I think that the set and costumes have a huge part in the storytelling process.

The score of this musical is one of my favorites. It combines a pop/rock sound (rather than a classic musical theatre sound) with beautifully poetic lyrics, which creates a very intense sound. The lyrics really convey the character’s thoughts in a way that just plain dialogue would not. Also looking deeply into the music, I have noticed a few things. In one song “Superboy and the Invisible Girl”, Natalie tells her mother how she only pays attention to Gabe and is missing out on Natalie’s important milestones. On the second chorus, Gabe comes in and sings with Natalie. However, Gabe “makes” Natalie sing harmony while he sings the melody. This shows how much control Gabe has over his entire family. These simple things make the plot even more interesting and really develop relationships between characters.

Overall, this musical tells a very beautiful and important message in a very unique way. It is very universal, and that is what I love about it. It really digs into the audience’s emotions and has a lasting effect.