Assignment #4 - Archtecture and Movies

Part 1

USC Horseshoe 

The element I chose at the USC horseshoe was the columns on the McKissick. These columns resemble those of the Greek architecture. The scroll top to each column classify them as Ionic. Columns are popular on many US buildings because American government follows the democracy of the Greek ideas. These six columns on the front of the McKissick not only embellish the design of the structure but support the building as well. Looking at these columns far away do not tell the whole story. It is not until you stand beside one of them do you fell like a miniscule object in this much bigger world.

Part 2

Movies

My visit to the local Nickelodeon was an enjoyable one! I watched the movie Coco & Igor which was the love story of the fashion mogul Coco Chanel and Russian composer/pianist Igor Stravinskt in 1920s Paris. One thing that grabbed by attention was the lack of dialogue in this film. Through this I realized that body language, movement, and actions say a million words. I believe the mood of the film was passionate one. The strong connection between Coco and Igor derived from somewhere deep with in them. In only a few meetings did they fall in love. The infidelity of Igor ignates great stress for him. The contrast of his two lovers his wife, a dependent woman, and Coco, an independent woman tore the composer apart. This was apparent in his darker, forte, complex sounds evoked on the piano and later in the Russian ballet through his love triangle. Eventually, Igor is wife-less but yet Coco and Igor could never be one. In the last few moments of Coco's life, she imagines herself in his original composed ballet. She recalls the love they share. And in this instance, across the world, Igor lifts his aged body out of bed and plays the once familiar tune on the piano- the driving force of their initial meeting.

Personally, the most interesting film element of this movie was the music. In my opinion, the music made the entire film. Was it because Igor was such an amazing composer? Might be. But in the first few scenes of the movie (when the Paris ballet attendants disapprove the Russian Ballet), the intense, emotion evoking music correlated with the chaos and rebellion in the theater. And throughout the movie, the piano's tune beneath Igor's fingertips correlated with the mood of the individual scenes.

In summary, the Nickelodeon was an awesome way to spend my Wednesday afternoon! I love the small feel of the theater which ultimately makes it a more personal experience. I also love the art films. I feel as though these differ from mainstream movies because the are not intended for money making entertainment. It's a deeper, richer film watching experience.