April 30th, 2008 arts
The Ancient Greek civilization was responsible for the origin of Theater and evolving arts in that field. One of the most prominent play writers of that time was Aristophanes who was considered to be the best comic dramatist of his times. All his plays revolved around issues like morality, politics, and had an abundance of literature. His storyline dealt with the everyday life of the people of Athens. After the Peloponnesian War Aristophanes was so deeply effected by the bloodshed of his fellow beings, that he wrote four plays revolving around it. One of the plays “Lysistrata” was the most prominent work of all, which was aimed to bring peace and harmony in the society but with a light note.
After the World War II the whole world was shattered and inhabitants all over the world baldy needed something that would relieve their mind of all the massive destruction and bloodshed. People were so desperate to drift from the harsh reality that some sect of people nicknamed as “Absurdists” gave birth to a different genre of theater known as the Theater of the Absurd. This term was brought into existence by Martin Esslin to name the new kind of plays sprouting in Europe and America. The goal of such plays was to deviate peoples’ mind, although the storyline had some preposterous elements embedded in it. Some of the common “Absurdists” were Eugène Lonesco, Samuel Beckett, Jean Genet and Harold Pinter. Later on this kind of thinking lead to the development of Philosophy of existentialism according to which more emphasis is paid to individual existence and total freedom. But this philosophy has much wider spectrum and cannot be described in few words.
Meta theaters are that classification of theaters, which blurred the gap between the actors and the audience. The actors are obviously the dynamic part of the play but the onlookers, too, are expected to be participating in the proceedings of the play. Schemes are developed on the spur of the moment so its no longer vivid to the audience what is actual part of the storyline and what patches have been added. This practice was developed during the Elizabethan Era, which is more commonly known as the Renaissance Period and it is still popular in the modern times.
Richard Wagner was the brainchild behind the Theaters known as Gasamtkuntswerk or more commonly referred to as Total Art Work. These brands of theaters are known to have all the flavoring elements that one can think of within its radius. Drama, music, dances and Greek Theater extract work in harmony to bring out the essence of the story being enacted. Steven Berkoff took this concept a step further by introducing actors who could be characters and presented depending on the theme at different times. Props were also used to bring in more realism. With all these elements sometimes the plays reached a level of superficiality and exaggeration.
Jerzy Grotowski gave rise to a different type of Theater, which was targeted, for people of the lower sectors of the society. In Poland, while working with his troupe, Jerzy recognized the needs of the poor people there and understood their inability to shell out money for big theaters. These concepts got popular especially during the 1960s’ and 70s’. In such theaters there wasn’t a separate stage of performing rather the artists and the audience occupied the same space. Since rich people didn’t finance these theaters there was a lack of props, detailed costumes, adequate lightning proper sets, and other technical features. The performers were outstanding and vivid so as to overcome the lack of good costumes. The actors were made to go through rigorous training involving months of practicing and rehearsing. Physical workout was also a part of it. Many acting troupes and aspiring actors go by this method to gain popularity the easier way. Grand Guignol is coined from the Theatre du Grand Guignol of Paris, France, is a kind of theater class, which encompasses a lot of gruesome violence. This term is used till date to refer to bloodshed melodramas.
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April 30th, 2008 arts
In the land of Malaysia, theater arts developed in the east Javanese kingdoms. During the eleventh century the capital of Javanese kingdom was shifted from Prambanan located in central Java to Jenggla located in eastern Java. This kingdom was divided into four parts namely Jenggala, Kediri, Ngurawan and Singasari . The four sons of the King Airlangga named King Lembu Amiluhur, King Lembu Amerdadu, King Lembu Mangarang and King Amijaya, respectively, ruled each of them. There are three forms of Malaysian theater arts namely Wayang Orang or performance by human actors, Wayang kulit or shadow puppetry, Wayang golek or three dimentional puppetry and classical court dance known as Karaton. And they flourished separately in each kingdom.
The other name for Wayang Orang is Wayang Wong that involves human actors performing live on stage in a musical dance drama. “Wong” or “Orang” means a man or a woman respectively. It was nurtured in the Kingdom of King Lembu Amiluhur. His son Raden Panji Asmarabangun was a renowned artist in himself. He taught this art to all his relatives. The storyline of the play revolved around the Jenggala Kingdom and Hindu mythologies Mahabharata and Ramayana. Another variety of Wayang Orang is Wayang Topeng or Wayang Gedog where the artists wear mask during the performance. Majapahit Kingdom was another kingdom that played a vital role in the recognition of Wayang wong as the King Hayam Wuruk was a performer of this art himself. There are five categories of the pattern of dance according to build and movements. Alus, which involves graceful and soft movements required performers to have a light physique. Gagah had more sportive moves and the artists were expected to have a slim and tall physique. Kasar was meant for actors with huge build and the movements were rough. Gecul had subcategories Ponokawan and Cantrik. Dengklik involved actors playing the role of monkey warrior. The dresses differ with different gods, kings, ksatrias, princesses, begawans and warriors. According to the role being played forty-five accessories are being used.
There were separate dance movements for the female actors. The movements made by the females are known as Nggruda that had nine basic movements known as Joged Pokok and additional twelve movements known as Joged Gubahan. These art forms at first were meant only for the royal families. Many kings and their relatives used to perform plays written on their ancestors in order to honor them. Poor people had no access to these plays.
Under reign of King Airlangga, great encouragement was given to various arts forms and that is when puppet art began evolving. Wayang purwa or Wayang kulit involves two-dimensional puppets made from the skin of goat or buffalo. They are flat and usually round in shape. The shadow of these puppets is cast on a translucent cloth screen with the help of lighted lamps. They are controlled by bamboo sticks attached to their body that are planted in banana stems located underneath the screen.
Wayang golek involves three-dimensional puppets that are controlled by the puppeteers from the top. These puppets are usually made out of wood or leather with some kind of stuffing. UNESCO honored the Wayang puppets in the year 2003 as “The Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” saying that it is one of the unique forms of theater arts and thus should be protected.
Karaton is the classical court dance. Karaton can be performed either in-group known as Yogyakarta or it can be also performed as solo. Some of the dances were performed on a daily basis in the court and some were meant only for special occasions like festivals and functions.
Prambanan Ramayana ballet is the special dance involving around two hundred dancers who dance for two whole hours. It is held under a full moon during the spring season. The eight-century Prambanan temple is painted in the background and gamelan music is played.
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April 21st, 2008 arts
There is more than one type of airsoft BB gun. Generally, most airsoft BB guns can be thought of as replicas: they are like “toy” counterparts of “real” firearms. The main types of of these guns are spring powered guns, electric airsoft guns, and gas powered guns.
Spring powered airsoft BB guns:
When you use one of these guns, you must manually cock it. When you cock it, a spring is compressed inside the piston, making an airtight seal when released. When the trigger is pulled, the piston is released, and a high pressure area is created behind the BB which projects it down the barrel and out toward the target. Spring powered airsoft BB guns must be cocked before every shot. They are generally less expensive than other airsoft replicas.
Electric airsoft BB guns:
These are the type of gun that you will most commonly see used in the sport. Unlike spring powered airsoft BB guns, the cocking action is automated in an electric airsoft BB gun. Generally, one of these guns will be powered by a rechargeable battery pack. More on Types of Airsoft BB Guns.
Tags: Airsoft
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April 17th, 2008 arts
So is there anything to zodiac compatibility. Does your astrological sign really have anything to do with who your ideal mate is. Or who can be the best friend for you. Is there a reason why some siblings are rivals for life, while others are as close as twins.
Consider the writer, who is a Virgo, although an atypical Virgo (we think). Her sister is a Capricorn, and according to the astrology experts, we should be in tune with Capricorns. And in fact, the writer and her sister and quite literally opposite sides of the same coin. We have the same dreams! And we know when the other is in trouble of some kind. We will call each other at odd times, only to discover that the other was in trouble, or needed help or advice or counsel. We don’t know it consciously, but it just works out that way.
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April 17th, 2008 arts
There was a time when astrology was an accepted science and was a part of medical diagnoses, as much as were a patient’s physical symptoms. It’s hard to say whether we’ve e-volved or de-volved, as we no longer think about living in harmony with cosmos. We consider ourselves too advanced scientifically to think that movements in the stars and planets might have a serious impact on our daily lives and our health.
But are we right. Who is anyone to say that man, with his limited brain, can truly comprehend the workings of the universe, or how he fits within it. Western civilization is predicated on conquering, not understanding. But it wasn’t always so.
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April 15th, 2008 arts
A whole world of colorful fish turns tropical waters into one exotic aquarium with plenty of angelfish, yellow fin, the strawberry trooper and the parrotfish among others. Tropical seabeds are covered with breathtaking varieties of coral and coelenterates like sea anemones, sea cucumbers, and jellyfish. Snorkelers can also feast their eyes on friendly turtles, which seem to guide snorkelers to new destinations underwater. There are also seemingly endless varieties of ray fishes moving gracefully and effortlessly. And dolphins are a prize view in certain snorkeling destinations. It’s no surprise that snorkeling in the tropics is a traveler’s favorite pastime. The clear water, brilliant colors and white sandy beaches make the tropics a snorkeler’s paradise. More on Tropical Snorkeling.
Tags: Snorkeling
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April 8th, 2008 arts
The Babylonians are generally acknowledged to have originated the practice and science of astrology. Their astrological charts enabled them to predict the recurrence of seasons and certain celestial events. So, in the beginning and for more than 2,000 years, astrology and astronomy were the same science.
Babylonian astrology was introduced to the Greeks early in the 4th century BCE and, through the studies of Plato, Aristotle, and others, astrology came to be highly regarded as a science. It was soon embraced by the Romans (the Roman names for the zodiacal signs are still used today) and the Arabs and later spread throughout the entire world.
While earliest astrology was used to bring a sense of order out of apparent chaos, it was soon employed to predict weather patterns, primarily for agricultural purposes. It was eventually widened to include forecasts of natural disasters, war and other events in the affecting the human condition. Once success in these fields was established, it was a natural evolution for astrology to be used as a means for advising for kings and emperors and, in time, the population at large.
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April 4th, 2008 arts
Located on the southwest side of Maui, the Fairmont
Kea Lani Maui overlooks the amazing waters off of
Polo Beach. The beach here is the center of all
water activities such as snorkeling, sailing,
kayaking, and even windsurfing.
Visitors here can play on any of the Wailea Golf
Club’s three championship golf courses or enjoy
a game of tennis at any of the 14 courts the tennis
center offers. Parents that are tired can get some
much deserved personal time with a massage at the
Spa Kea Lani.
The resort accommodations are either suites or
villas, so there is no need to squeeze your entire
family into a tiny room. There suites here are a
minumum of 840 square feet and offer a separate
living room and marble bathroom with a separate
tub for soaking.
The private two levels villas here are minutes
away from the beach and are between 1,800 - 2,200
square feet as well. The villas are ideal for
larger families as they offer a full service
kitchen and a private courtyard with a plunge pool
and barbeque for grilling out.
Keiki Lani is also the hotel’s activity center
for kids as well. It’s a state licensed facility
for children between the ages of 5 and 13, giving
parents a break from watching their kids. Here,
children can enjoy painting coconuts, building
sand castles, exploring the tide pools, learning
how to dance hula, and even making real flower
leis. The activity center can accommodate up to
19 children, so be sure to call ahead and reserve
a space for your children.
Rates
The rates for stay start at $325 per night for a
suite. One of the benefits of a family vacation
here is the special deals that are almost always
available. The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui has several
packages available for family vacations.
If you are planning to explore the island with
the kids, you’ll save a lot of money by taking a
package that includes a free rental car. This way,
you can explore the island at your will without
having to worry about paying any extra money.
For a family vacation, Maui is truly a one of a
kind destination. There are many different things
to do here for everyone in your family, even if they
are indeed hard to please.
Once your family experiences Maui and everything
there is to offer, you’ll never look at beach
vacations the same way again. Maui has that kind
of power - especially when it comes to warm weather
and pleasing people from all over the world.
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April 3rd, 2008 arts
Technically speaking, your rising sign, or ascendant, reflects the zodiac sign that was ascending on the Eastern horizon at the moment you took your first breath in this world. This is why an exact birth time is so vital to finding your accurate rising sign. Located on the cusp of the first house of your astrological chart — or at the nine o’clock position — the rising sign can exert an influence almost as powerful as your Sun and Moon signs.
If you were to think of your Sun sign as your soul — your inner personality and potential — and your Moon sign as your heart — your emotional core — then you could say that your rising sign is your physical self or the face you present to the world. For example, though your Sun sign might be Taurus, your rising sign could very well be Gemini. While you’re feeling laid-back, others will tend to see you as a ball of nervous energy and cerebral wit.
At times, your rising sign may act as a mask, hiding some aspect of your inner self you don’t feel like revealing. Your Ascendant sign describes your temperament, your outward mannerisms and behavior, the personality you put on public display. It is the part of yourself you are most willing for other people to see in casual, impersonal situations. Changes here will explain why even people born on the same day as you will have very different personalities, different strengths and interests, and different life experiences.
The Ascendant is also called the Rising Sign of a person’s chart. Astrologers use the two terms interchangeably. It is literally the sign that was rising on the Eastern horizon of the sky at the time you were born in the place where you were born. This is why it is essential to have both a birthplace and a birth time in order to cast a completely valid Natal Chart.
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