artsy schmartsy

Intensive language session: complete! Don't ask me about the grade.....but its done! Actually I don't have the grade yet, but I'm certain it won't be an A. Whatever. Anyway, after finishing the "exam" (which consisted of a skit we had written ahead of time and an essay we had also had a week to write), the rest of the day Saturday (yep, you read correctly-the exam was on a Saturday.) was all mine! Too bad I didn't really do anything. I was going to go to the gym....but that didn't happen. Instead, I watched some shows and a movie or two online. Took a nice siesta. Then prepared for a night on the town. My little group keeps wanting to go out to a discoteca and party the night away like the Spaniards do (who usually get home around 4 or 5 in the morning). So we headed to the river for a little botellón (pre-gaming). This is where every single CIEE student hangs out. And a few Spaniards. Must mostly Americans. Anyway, at about 1:30 they decided it was time to find a discoteca. At about 2:00 we arrived at the chosen club: Casino. Except they wouldn't let us in. Our friend Javiér thought he could get us all in, but the bouncer decided that the group was way too young. This is apparently a place for more mature party-ers. Might have to go back there... ;)

Anyway, after wandering around for a while longer, I decided to head home. Sofie and I took a taxi because it was a long walk. So we got home at about 3. I think the rest of the gang actually found a discoteca and stayed out til about 6 or so like they had been wanting to since they arrived. Sounds like fun... :)

Today, I decided to visit the Museo de Bellas Artes. I continue to enjoy and be fascinated by art museums even though I know nothing about art. I am actually considering switching my Contemporary Spanish Novel class to an art class of some sort so I can know a little more....but we'll see. Anyway, this museum was much like many others. Many beautiful paintings and sculptures by some names I recognize but by more that I don't.

I like paintings and am always so amazed at people's talent. I like getting up close and actually being able to see the brush strokes and the little details. This museum is nice because there are no ropes in front of the paintings, so you can get as close as you like. Maybe not nice for the paintings, but nice for us observers.

But more than paintings, I love statues. It just amazes me how someone can take a block of rock-hard (heheheh get it?!) stone and turn it into the image of a person. It is incredible. One of my favorite sculptures I've ever seen was at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence. There are four statues by Michelangelo that are considered "unfinished." I also heard them referred to as "prisoners." You can see the shape of the statue, but it appears to be imprisoned in a slab of marble, trying to escape. They are just incredible. Here's one of them:



Anyway, the Museo de Bellas Artes here in Sevilla has another one of my new-found favorites. It is a Statue of Saint Jerome by Pietro Torrigiano (no idea who that is...). And it is amazing. The amount of detail that he was able to form out of solid rock is astonishing. You can see the muscles and veins and everything on this statue. I'll have to go back and take some pictures (which apparently you can do there) that will show how amazing it is. But here's a photo I found online.



I apparently picked the right day to go to this museum. Every Sunday morning, right outside of it, is an art market. All kinds of artists from Sevilla bring their pieces to the plaza to sell. There is some amazing stuff there. Again, I will have to go back and take some pictures. And buy some stuff... (this may be where every single one of my souvenirs come from for my family and friends...just so you know). But here's a little photo from online again.



Fun Sunday so far! Now for a siesta...then I get to chat with my bestie Kayla!