We had our Fine Arts course this morning, and we talked more about art and what makes it good. Professor Durham emphasized that there's good art out there and there's bad art out there, but in order to call art that you don't like evil it needs to meet several qualifications. So, even if you don't like the piece before you, it likely isn't evil; it's simply not to your liking.
After class Lizzie and I found ourselves needing to complete an assignment that was due tonight (the Eliot assignment I was working on last week, actually). Caitlin, Kenna, and Sarah left to go do other assignments for Dr. Durham's class (the National Library and the British Museum), and so we decided to split up for the afternoon.
Fewer than two hours later we were out the door headed to the library. We picked up to other girls, Mary and Christine, on the way out, and so I spent the afternoon with a new group of girls. It was quite fun.
The British Library was impressive and incredible, but I had different expectations for what would be inside. The library we saw was essentially another museum (that had some admittedly amazing exhibits), and all the books were locked away in reading rooms requiring special passes. I believe this is the first time I have ever visited a library without touching a single book. There's one to put down in the books. If ever I go to that library again I'll have to see about getting a pass.
We did see an exhibit on the Magna Carta, however, and that was incredible. It is so amazing to me that there are documents from the 1200s that are still partially utilized in our government today! There was also a room with documents from America, like the Declaration of Independence, and notes made on the different types of government that excited me to see. Being here immersed in all this British history is incredible, but I don't feel any patriotism when I see a picture of the Queen, the Union Jack, or learn about British government. Being in that room today reminded me that I do have some patriotic blood in me, though, which was quite comforting.
We also visited an exhibit entitled "Treasures of the Library" which had original manuscripts from Handel, Chopin, Beethoven, Stravinsky, other composers, Beowulf (I had a pretty intense stare-down with that one. Not a lot of happy memories are connected with that particular piece, but I'm impressed by how long it's stuck around.), Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen, and other authors. It was so excited to see these copies of books and people I have been studying for what seems to be my entire life. Honestly, I felt that all my education led up to my experiences in this one exhibit and it was ridiculously exciting. I could have spent hours in that room.
After the library we headed to the British Museum. This was also a really cool place that could have kept me occupied for several days. However, we were working on time restraints so we didn't see a very large portion of what the museum could offer. What we did see was impressive, though. I am so grateful London has made it so that most museums are free. It certainly makes them more accessible, and I think they're more popular, but that may just be my imagination.
After the museum we headed home for dinner. We had planned to make a gelato run before returning to the Centre, but that would have meant being late to dinner which is not allowed. We decided to go right after dinner because the play didn't start until eight. I.love.gelato. It is now a food group and needs to be a staple in everyone's diet. Case closed, the end.
We all headed over to Picadilly Circus for the play and walked into the theater (sorry, pictures were not allowed in the theater itself). I didn't really know what to expect, but I was entirely pleased with the performance. The cast consisted of four players who acted in at least fifteen roles total. And they did it well. I loved every minute of it. The play was hilarious, well-paced, and witty. I don't really know the point of the story, but it was certainly entertaining. Oh. And I once again found myself on the front row. I didn't get spit on, but right before curtain call they let a bunch of foam fall from the ceiling (I think it was supposed to be like snow?) and it ended up all over my legs and feet. So that was exciting. I traveled home smelling a bit like hand sanitizer because of it. Thank goodness for showers.
And now for some pictures!
The British Library
This is the closest I got to actually touching a book at the library.
Lizzie was originally excited because the drinking fountains had little cups by them. But then she was frustrated because she was having a hard time getting one to come out. She ended up with five. Same thing, right?
A park we walked through on our way to the museum.
Mary
Christine and Lizzie. Don't ask, I don't know.
Beautiful buildings (and an ice cream truck) on the walk to the museum.
The British Musem
Easter Island. This one didn't want any gum.
Just some totem poles hanging out by a cafe. No big deal. These were from Alaska.
The ceiling was so cool!
Some of the exhibits. I cannot remember the names of everything (my brain was overloaded with info today), but enjoy the pics!
The Rosetta Stone. This was really cool
See next picture for explanation.
Rock it
She was so excited when she saw these.
Welcome to Greece
The Parthenon. This was so incredible.
Wall carvings
All I could think of was the Muses in Hercules.
Because what society doesn't have a cow statue?
These vases were beautiful.
I don't even know what this was, but it was so cool!
A sculpture of Aphrodite and other goddesses.
Okay this one is really cool. It was in the Africa exhibit and was made by a modernist artist. It's supposed to symbolize the change of the African culture.
I loved these things. I wish I could have spent more time reading about everything, but I really didn't want to get separated from the group; I don't know that I would have been able to find them after.
This tree and the surrounding sculptures were made of rusty metal. SO COOL!
Vases
At the base of the tree sculpture
Caligraphy sculptures
Mummies. There were so many mummies in the Egypt exhibit. It was sort of creepy.
Mary decided to join the crowd.
Cleopatra. Not THE Cleopatra, but named after THE Cleopatra because she was from the same time (I think). This is a seventeen-year-old girl who still has a bunch of vital organs in her.
It's a sculpture. . . Made of books! Art is so cool.
In the Europe exhibit. Look at how enormous those books are! My foot is there for comparison.
Books books books. These were all books about the history around here, and the bookshelves lined the walls. I felt like Belle, but (once again) the books were behind glass so I couldn't actually touch any)
Some examples of titles
In the Asia exhibit.
Gelato! Back row: Christine and Sarah. Front row: Mary and Lizzie
So that was today! I learned a lot, and retained less than I would have liked, but it was a wonderful experience and I wouldn't trade it.
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