Wednesday, June 9, 2010

I Will Never Understand

In class today we considered the value of art, and I suggested—hardly the first to do it—that art makes us aware that much of life, much of ourselves, we will never understand. As a follow-up to our conversation, I've asked this quarter's English 1B class to note a work of art that they value, for reasons they're free to keep to themselves.

I open the exchange with this song from Elliott Smith. It's sacred to me—so much so that I drew the title of my novel-in-progress from its lyrics. The fear and hope in Smith's voice give this song an honesty that anyone who has fallen in love will recognize.



I invite those who would like to join our exchange to add your contribution below. If you can provide a link to the work you recommend, that would be great—but it's not necessary.

28 comments:

  1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_HXUhShhmY&feature=channel

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  2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR8_lV_ISdo

    Translation:
    http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Only_Human

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  3. nazanin ahmadieh
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf1tjPGa140
    a persian traditional song!

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  4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijZRCIrTgQc

    R.E.M. - Everybody Hurts

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1a9fhBRUp4

    Depeche Mode - Somebody

    /Mikael Lassi

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  5. I'm sorry, it's impossible to mention just one:
    "The Kiss" Gustav Klimt
    Hagia Sohia
    Frescoes at the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo
    100 years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marquez

    Lourdes

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  6. http://www.sohrabsepehri.com/poems.asp?status=showpoem&language=e&poemid=99

    The poem which is written Modern Persian Poetry by Sohrab Sepehri.

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  7. As I usually listen to music,
    I would like to share a song

    No Surprise- Radiohead
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUgMbKJu9ws

    The way the vocal sings, the lyrics make me question if my life is meaningful.

    To me, art is the unexplainable things for expressing my emotion, or to feel what the others feel. Without Art, humans will lose their soul, living like a machine. For education, art may help students truly get the feeling ( like morality) instead of knowing the data or definition.

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  8. Sorry for posting another song, not very original, I know...

    Empty, by Ray Lamontagne:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIUSikXex5w

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  9. The Simple Life by Charles Wagner has come to be one of my favorite books, if not my favorite. I was able to find an online version of the book:
    http://books.google.com/books?dq=charles+wagner&jtp=1&id=_KgXAAAAYAAJ#v=onepage&q&f=false


    Here's a small passage:
    “No word is respected by sophists, casuists, and quibblers, men who are moved only by a rage for gaining their point, or who assume that their interests are alone worth considering. Their penalty is to be forced to judge others by the rule they follow themselves: Say what profits and not what is true. They can no longer take any one seriously- a sad state of mind for those who write or teach! How lightly must one hold his readers and hearers to approach them in such an attitude! To him who has preserved enough honesty, nothing is more repugnant than the careless irony of an acrobat of the tongue or pen, who tries to dupe honest ingenuous men.”

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  10. I would like to share this link to all of you:

    http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4e7a4d7a4d6a59774f413d3d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link

    This is a song by Michael Buble.
    After lisitening, I would say Life is a cycle. And it is beautiful when love is around. Every life is a piece of art from God.

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  11. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yCJ-7XmBZ8

    castles made of sand
    -jimi hendrix

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  12. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Km786yl15U

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  13. Ths is my favorite painting because this player is who I look up to in an athletic aspect. He is the BEST despite what anyone thinks. I also love the peice because it reminds me of my family. Watching the Laker games is how my brother, father, and I bond. Oh and they are in championship series right now. GO LAKERS!

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  14. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGDIxcuPT7s

    This is a fantastic song. The soft rhythm and guitar sound with singer Eric Clapton's attractive soothing voice made me appreciate the beauty of the world and human nature. It is very encouraging as well.

    we can all change the world even for a day!!

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  15. John Mayer has long been one of my favorite musicians and also one of my biggest inspirations. His medley of meaningful lyrics, suave vocals and skills with the guitar strings have earned him worldwide acclaim. In his song, Bigger than my Body, he shares the message of breaking free and making something of himself one day-- something every person with ambition hopes to do.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ5wTHM1zkw

    Seeking to do our part,
    to express the voice of the heart,
    we ask the question, where to start,
    That's when we turn to art.
    --TJ

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  16. Sports is a huge part of my life and "The Blind Side" by Michael Lewis is a truly inspirational story. Hope you find some time to read it.

    -Kyle Hypes

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  17. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kztNroG_M-A

    when we die - bowling for soup

    *Karen. L

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  18. Music is a big part of my life. I listen to music any free moment that I have. The song " Keep Ya Head Up" by Tupac is a song that is very inspirational. He talks about the life struggles and how people live everyday.

    Raquel Oropeza

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  19. I really enjoy listening to all types of music and my favorite is when it has a cool message. Even though music can and does mean so many things to different people this song has always been a favorite of mine. To me is has a deeper meaning about the big picture of life. Maybe you can have a listen sometime! (Below is a small portion of my favorite lyrics)

    In the Beginning – K’nann
    It's better to light a candle than to curse the dark
    In the eyes of the youth there are question marks
    Like freedom
    Freedom for the mind and soul
    We don't see them
    See them for their worth at all
    That's why we lead them
    Lead them to these wars and what is it we feed them
    Feed them our impurities and who it is we treat them
    Treat them like the enemy humanity will need them
    Need them like the blood we spill and where freedom

    More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/k/knaan/#share
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8FV4JWDg18

    Amanda Boyle

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  20. http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/monet/first/impression/sunrise.jpg

    Irina

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  21. http://comps.fotosearch.com/comp/FSD/FSD452/sphinx_~x18851967.jpg

    Jesse

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  22. Alex Palomarez

    Music has always made such an influential impact on my life. i can always find the right song to go with my mood, whether im getting ready for a big game or need a nice melody to take me out of a slump. i have to say john lennon's "imagine" is a song that i go to, to help me to always see the big picture. plus i have always been a huge beatles fan.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIFY9h8DImg

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  23. Hip Hop has had a tremendous impact on my life. This song puts everything i feel into words.

    RODNEY NOURANI

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYJCT8EqbtU

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  24. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA7fdSkp8ds

    Nobody by Wonder Girls

    Yat

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  25. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5ou3gZg0sE&feature=related

    Cherry

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  26. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k43xQ7VfmTQ&feature=related

    KOJI

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  27. The Movie "Thank you for Smoking"

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427944/

    Philip

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  28. And "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Catcher_in_the_Rye

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