Introduction

As a first year student at Strathclyde University in Glasgow I have to take on board an elective or two. I chose 'Arts within Society' as my first option quite honestly, because it was the only elective to do with music- a great passion of mine. I didn't taken into account the fact that I would be dancing or going to art museums at all.

In my blog I have wrote four separate posts based on music, art, dance and 'art within our society and it's effect'. These posts will discuss my experience within these arts and my opinions of its impact on myself and others.

Links will be provided either throughout the post or at the end if you require further information.

Art's Role in Our Lives

Whether we know it or not, art is everywhere.

When you walk down the streets what do you hear from the shops. Silence? Shops like HMV or New Look will have music blaring out of them. But why?

The type of music a place has can often affect the person who enters the location and sometimes even indulge somebody to go in. HMV and New Look purposely play the latest popular music in the hope that people will come to the shop just to hear their favourite song at the time.

In Starbucks, relaxing music such a reggae, latin or jazz is played to set a calming mood among the customers and will often keep the venue at a reasonable volume. It is also there to encourage people to stay for longer as they settle into the mood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p62rfWxs6a8 (Soothing song used in Starbucks)

In TV theme tunes, the music often depicts what the show is like and attracts the audience it wants. For example, the BBC News theme tune depicts the seriousness of the show simply through the use of instruments: drums create a tense atmosphere and the electronic beeps sound almost like sirens from an ambulance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TSJhIZmL0A&feature=related (BBC Theme)

Through the 'arts within society course' I have learnt an incredible amount about art. Before I thought people could only suit a specific art (for me that would be music) but I was wrong. Art, no matter what area, can suit everybody.

Art and dancing were always my weak spots and it was up to me to explore them. After my first few attempts at dancing and visiting art galleries I had given up hope that I could ever enjoy them. It wasn't until I found that right types of dancing and art to suit me that I began to have fun.

Not only did I enjoy myself but I did actually learn that I needed them. Dancing brought so much freedom to myself when listening to music and allowed my body to have a mind of it's own and go mad doing what ever it wants. When I listen to music on my own I always find myself letting my body express itself. Before I locked it away and wouldn't let myself go with the flow.

Furthermore with art, I used to believe that because I wasn't very good at making art, it would effect what other peoples art could do for me. Visiting the GMMA and Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow awakened my mind. Before I used to think painting were splodges of colour, but then I realised it's what behind the colour that matters. How does that help you make ask? It helps you see life in different ways. It creates you to be open minded. It can also remind you of the fact that you aren't alone with some thoughts you may have- other people have them too.

As a teacher and even experimenting with arts, I have seen my pupils in a new light. Their eyes awaken, their interested, excited yet calm. They are expressing themselves.

I believe art is one of the basic needs of our health

Links: http://ezinearticles.com/?Music-For-Healthy-Living&id=1939055 (Why music is healthy)

http://www.healthyarts.org/ (An example of healthy art workshops in Essex with those with special needs)

http://www.hope-street.org/healthyarts/diary.htm (An example of healthy art work with children and youth)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJCxRgBUy3w&feature=PlayList&p=44E8EA98B461FDFE&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=59

(An interview of the importance of expressive arts)

http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-139299062/using-expressive-arts-group.html

(An article on the importance of expressive arts in our lives)

GMMA

On a previous visit to the Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art, I entered the ground floor gallery and came across obscure paintings of what seemed like shirt patterns and maths shape lessons. I never returned. Until I got an invite for my arts within society elective.

Before we entered the gallery however we took a tour of what was around the building itself. I didn't quite understand why, until I looked at it from Glasgow's cultural point of view. The gallery is bang on in the city centre. It is surrounded by top brand coffee shops (Starbucks and Costa), restaurants (Bella Italia) and shops (Lush). Glasgow is the most jam packed city in Scotland. It's modern culture makes it the place to be which is caught even just by the location of Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art.

When entering the building itself I noticed straight away the wall decorated by lots of mirrors. It captured everyones attention and revealed people to be who they really were by their reactions towards themselves. We had some girls checking as much as possible to make sure they looked ok; some were confident enough to march straight up to the mirror and do a touch up of make up; others avoided their reflection; and some just didn't care. It was amusing and revealed to me personally that yourself is an art altogether.

Going straight to the top floor was a room full of pictures which carried the theme of 'race'. It had pictures of African tribes, muslim women and quite simply houses which carried the tale of an event to do with race. I found it difficult to connect with most of these art pieces. I didn't quite understand the significance of the theme 'race'.

But afterwards I understood that some of these pieces of work weren't for looking at. They each carried a story as to what the picture was inspired from or how it inspired the artist. It was then I realised that art is seen differently for everybody and that artists capture art and create it differently from everybody else. Which almost links in with the actual theme of 'race' itself and how different races can be from each other.

When entering the second floor, there was a theme of 'flats'. Again, I didn't quite understand why this was at all significant or in fact beautiful to look at. However one display was very interesting. It was lots of tvs which each had a different video of flat life, e.g, the local park outside, knitting inside, rain drops falling off the building. Each video had an action which went at it's own pace. They different speeds and images captured was strange to look at. Later on I was told that in hospitals they often have videos like these to help calm patients. Never would I have thought that art based on a block of flats would be calming... but it was!

I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the gallery and learnt that art can be what ever you want it to be. There is no right or wrong answer or opinion as to what a good piece of art is. I found it almost spiritually calming searching pieces of art trying to figure out what it could mean in relation to myself. I didn't enjoy every piece of art, but there was plenty there to make sure at least a few pieces stood out to me and pleased me.

Links: http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=3 (Venue details)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallery_of_Modern_Art (GMMA facts and history)

http://www.igougo.com/attractions-reviews-b30954-Glasgow-Gallery_of_Modern_Art.html (Reviews)

The Slumdog Millionaire Dance (Jai Ho)

Slumdog Millionaire (a fantastic 'must see' movie) ends with a traditional Bollywood dance. The catchy song and beautiful choreography brings across the happiness of the movie's ending- most importantly, the grace of expression through dance.

It was all very fine and well watching the film and appreciating the art from a distance but when the suggestion came out that myself and my other class mates should try the dancing, I quite literally sank in my seat.

From past experiences I've found dance routines difficult to remember, embarrassing and most of all- impossible to actually do! Bad memories from PE came flooding back. I wanted to die there and then.

When I arrived on the dance floor I was grouped with a few girls who felt exactly the same as me. We watched the other groups as they got organised, planned, laughed, practised... and looked simply fabulous. My group however was very reluctant to even start.

When assistance came over, suggestions were passed on and we all gave some dancing a go. I felt my body move the way I wanted it to. I felt secure about what I was doing. I felt quite positive about how it turned out actually.

But the feeling of embarrassment remained and I wasn't enjoying myself.

I didn't understand why I felt like this. However, when I was on teacher training I had a shot of joining in a dance lesson with my class of 6 year olds. From the expression on their faces it looked like a lot of fun and the music was incredibly catchy and up beat. I felt myself wanting to join in.

Giving a real attempt at the dancing was fun and the other children struggled just as much as me to get the hang of the dance. I didn't feel insecure about how I looked, felt or what other people thought of my dancing. In fact I felt wonderful. The music seemed to move my body rather than my brain ordering it to move in new and bizarre ways. I felt like my body was expressing it's appreciation of the music.

With every movement that I made, I felt like I was shaking off bad emotions or feelings which made me realise why dancing can be so important. Not only are you listening to music but you get to expressive your body in anyway that you want alongside the music.

The pressure of being mixed with girls on my course who already go to dance classes or have 'the gift' of dancing might have been too intimidating for me. Or perhaps the Bollywood dancing wasn't suited for my body to boogie to.

What I've learnt overall is that I can enjoy dancing. Even if it does mean I have to go to the effort of doing it with a group of 6 year olds. Also, expression through dancing is what my body feels is right. Just as long as I get on a good tune and feel my body wanting to move, I can appreciate the art of dance.

Links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRC4QrUwo9o (Jai Ho Music video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7AuQKFlhXI&feature=related (The effect this dance scene has had on the people)

http://www.isabellechrun.com/isasuperstar/got-to-learn-that-slumdog-millionaire-jai-ho-dance/ (Somebody's own blog about Jai Ho Music Video)

Le Vent Du Nord

Folkworld CD Review of Le Vent Du Nord;

"appealing to contemporary audiences and critics alike, is a sure winner"

(http://www.folkworld.de/35/e/cds3.html)

Are they right?

French Canadian folk band (Le Vent Du Nord) performed on the 29th January 2010 in the Glasgow Royal Concert hall. Attending, were many schools, including those with special needs.

Hard core fans were also there to witness the performance. As two old and friendly gentlemen told me;

"We've travelled to Canada to see them. Have you?"

The question I thought was rather peculiar at first. The men asked me if I would spend hundreds of pounds- to travel thousands of miles- to see a few men perform for a few hours- and they asked it as if it were quite reasonable. Was this band really worth all that effort?

As I waited for gig to begin, I looked around at the large setting that I was in: The Main Auditorium. Not every seat was filled, but still it was a good turn out. The room was decorated in royal red which brought about a sense of professionalism and made it seem that this room in the past had been entertained by the best.

As the time drew closer for the band to arrive the audience became restless with sheer excitement. I, on the other hand was stiff. I wasn't going to let myself fall helplessly in awe as soon as the live performance began. I would remain a critic and judge for myself whether the band was worth jumping up and down for.

Four men arrived on stage. Nicolas Boulerice, Simon Beaudry, Olivier Demars and Réjean Brunet. All multi- instrumentalists and singers which came across as very impressive to the not only the audience but myself. The changing of instruments not only kept the band on the move but the performance itself.

When they began to play, the musical talent leaped from the instruments and onto the audience members. It was obvious from the expressions of some children's faces that celtic music had just never been introduced to them. Their jaws dropped, yet a smile was still visible. Everybody loved it.

The exhilarating speed of the ceilidh music and the beautiful yet simple choice of notes created a chain reaction of dancing within the audience members. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw not only children but adults doing whatever their bodies told them to do. The two gentlemen pointed out girls doing irish dancing in the aisle way and children doing actual ceilidh dances like 'The dashing white sergeant'. Not only that, but even those with special needs were dancing and having, obviously a fantastic treat.

This reaction of the audience brought across the sheer importance that it has on our lives. Not many people realise that having music in their life is healthy- especially significant to certain individuals. The audience was having quite literally a celtic ball. However, let's look at the audience as many unique individuals. There could be people that are lonely; afraid; shy; insecure; troubled; But by being in that atmosphere, I just can't imagine how even the slightest ray of happiness and glee could not enter their body.

The music itself was also brilliant. The compositions presented were a mixture of the bands own music and traditional folk songs from their home. The genres of the celtic music were selections of ballads, dances and quite simply- songs about wine and cheese. A wonderful selection of variations and styles.

So, would I travel all the way to Canada to see this band perform for a few hours? Quite possibly. (If I had the money!)

Links: http://www.leventdunord.com/ (Their own website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqyN0zuy-nY&feature=related (Live at Celtic Connections 2008)