Go Ladies!

Since Germany's men's team didn't win the World Cup soccer title, Germany's women's team did. ;) They beat Brazil 2 to 0 today, defending their title. For all you across the ocean, at least America won third. :)

Strange Phenomenon

Yesterday during class we practiced elevator pitches, an exercise in persuasion in which we had to sell our creative idea to a fictitious CEO of an advertising agency.

In several instances, I played the CEO. Interestingly, the first time I did, I pictured myself as a man. In my head I was playing a male CEO. It was so strange. I didn't notice it until I sat down and thought, wait, why was I imagining myself as a man? The funny thing is that Jessie, who was pitching her idea to me, imagined me as a man, as well. In her mind, she was selling her idea to a guy.

It certainly surprised me that my mind worked in this way, as I of course think women are fully capable of holding top positions. I guess it shows how much society shapes my thinking. I poked around a bit and found that in 2006 there were only 13 women CEOs among Fortune 500 companies; 20 in the top 1000. If I am not seeing or hearing about women in executive positions (and movies and tv series certainly underscore this reality), maybe it's no wonder that I'm less inclined to picture a woman in the top, managing role. And, in this case, less likely to even play one myself.

The Tribe Has Spoken

Enough about 'high art,' this is about Survivor. You know, the show that was popular back in 2000 (sorry, J-Ho). Germany isn't afraid to copy. I was flipping through the channels last night and got caught on the German version which is called, coincidentally, Survivor.

And is exactly the same. Even the host is Jeff Probst-esque.

Speciman A:


Specimen B:

Call me Slacker

So I haven't written in a while...but not because I'm slacking....but because I have a busy schedule this semester. In an effort to save some time and money (because, let's face it, I'm not a young sprout any longer and my money tree is growing at a slower rate than usual), I am trying to complete the second and third semester curricula simultaneously. I hope I can hammer it out. It's only until February, so that light at the end of the tunnel should keep me going.

So, otherwise....I wanted to follow up on the Documenta. I intentionally posted the pictures without any explanation (I told you I'm not slacking!), as it mirrored our experience of the gigantic, five-building exhibition. All of the objects were shown without labels and it wasn't until we bought the catalogue -- basically the label text -- for 35 euros that we got a better understanding of the work's and the artist's intentions/meanings. In the late afternoon we participated in an exhibition tour of one space, which greatly increased the value of the experience. Because, seriously, without commentary it was extremely difficult to fully appreciate the works outside of their aesthetic appeal or form...even for someone with a minor in art history who has worked in the museum field and regularly visits museums. And, yes, that would be me.

I will write more about each individual photo later (with the excpetion of photo one which is obviously just me standing in front of a documenta sign...though the signs would be worth commenting on...they were easily transportable (light) and really cheaply made. The fact that they weren't afraid to show their cheapness contributed to their success, in my opinion.) -- because now I really am slacking.

Peace out.

Documenting Documenta

Map Quest

When I couldn't accurately recall the state capital of America's sunshine state -- Florida -- I decided it was time I start studying my geography again.

This now accompanies me on my metro rides:


A few minutes here and there really help.

Documenta in Kassel

This weekend we're heading to documenta 12, supposedly regarded as the most important exhibition of contemporary art in the world. It only comes around every five years -- always in Kassel, Germany -- so I figured I wouldn't wait until 2012 since I'm here in Germany now.

Questions this year's installment poses for art and its public:

Is humanity able to recognize a common horizon beyond all differences? Is art the medium for this knowledge?

What constitutes life, when everything is subtracted which does not belong essentially to life? Does art help us to penetrate to what is essential?

What is to be done, what do we have to learn in order to cope intellectually and spiritually with globalisation? Is that a question of aesthetic education and cultivation?

Interesting stuff. I'll let you know of any answers we discover.