Official Great Works Draft (1 Viewer)

[rodg12]

I was wanting to wait on this a few more rounds, but after Tides took the Peck performance, I didn't want to risk it because I very much want this on my team.

15.02 - To Kill A Mockingbird - Novel - Harper Lee

Excellent story, excellent writing. Its themes are far-reaching. Racial injustice and the destruction of innocence. Class, courage and compassion, and gender roles. All while being so very readable and enjoyable. Which, to me, is what a novel should be all about. To borrow a quote from Tides write-up:

"The Southern town of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD reminds me of the California town I grew up in. The characters of the novel are like people I knew as a boy. I think perhaps the great appeal of the novel is that it reminds readers everywhere of a person or a town they have known. It is to me a universal story -- moving, passionate and told with great humor and tenderness.

-Gregory Peck"

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

Wiki

Now, fingers-crossed my other pick makes it back to me.

 

[Genedoc]

FYI - If we don't get back to Team Genedoc/Bonzai tonight, I have a very busy day tomorrow and will be on intermittently at best. Please PM Bonzai if you're waiting on pick from us and I'm not around.

 

[thatguy]

Earlier I wrote that Robert De Niro in Raging Bull was my personal choice for top acting performance ever. Since my #2 has not been chosen, much to my surprise, and since I really regard it as #1A, I've decided to grab it now.

What's really surprising about this performance is that he's only on screen for just over 16 minutes. But in those 16 minutes, one of the most iconic characters in the history of film is created. Another astonishing (and quite disturbing) fact is that during this performance, the actor never blinks. Not once do we hear a trace of his normal English accent, which is present in almost every one of his other roles. And with only a few words at a time, the actor manages to convey high intelligence, wit, insanity, a sense of criminal menace, and humor. It is a true tour de force, and he deserves all the accolades he has received.

14. 17 Sir Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lector in The Silence Of The Lambs

One of the all time great performances IMO and a great pick! Good work Tim, you big jerk.

 

[thatguy]

Kicking off the Team Fennis invention category (finally) with one near to my heart:14.20 Oral Contraceptives (Invention)

I should've known... I had planned on taking this one later- massively importnat on a number of levels (illustrated above), but mostly onna count of teh secks.

Would also like to point out that this pick was posted on page 69.

I would like to point out, though, that oral contraception is not necessary for 69ing.

 

[El Floppo]

Kicking off the Team Fennis invention category (finally) with one near to my heart:14.20 Oral Contraceptives (Invention)

I should've known... I had planned on taking this one later- massively importnat on a number of levels (illustrated above), but mostly onna count of teh secks.

Would also like to point out that this pick was posted on page 69.

I would like to point out, though, that oral contraception is not necessary for 69ing.

You're doing it wrong.

 

[El Floppo]

Now that we're getting into the more "popular" popular culture, I can't imagine that there'll be any <oof> picks in that regard- too much readily available and recognized quality (with emphasis on the latter).

 

[Postradamus]

15.03 The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger - Novel

one of my all time favorite novels

wiki

Plot summary

The first-person narrative follows Holden's experiences in New York City in the days following his expulsion from Pencey Prep, a fictional college preparatory school in Pennsylvania.

Holden shares encounters he has had with students and faculty of Pencey, whom he criticizes as being superficial, or as he would say, "phony." After being expelled from the school, Holden packs up and leaves the school in the middle of the night after an altercation with his roommate. He takes a train to New York, but does not want to return to his family's apartment immediately, and instead checks into the derelict Edmont Hotel. There, he spends an evening dancing with three tourist girls and has a clumsy encounter with a prostitute; he refuses to do anything with her and tells her to leave, although he pays her for her time. She demands more money than was originally agreed upon and when Holden refuses to pay he is struck by her pimp.

Holden spends a total of two days in the city, characterized largely by drunkenness and loneliness. At one point he ends up at a museum, where he contrasts his life with the statues of Eskimos on display. For as long as he can remember, the statues have been fixed and unchanging. It is clear to the reader, if not to Holden, that the teenager is afraid and nervous about the process of change and growing up. These concerns may largely have stemmed from the death of his brother, Allie. Eventually, he sneaks into his parents' apartment while they are away, to visit his younger sister Phoebe, who is nearly the only person with whom he seems to be able to communicate. Holden shares a fantasy he has been thinking about (based on a mishearing of Robert Burns' Comin' Through the Rye): he pictures himself as the sole guardian of numerous children running and playing in a huge rye field on the edge of a cliff. His job is to catch the children if they wander close to the brink; to be a "catcher in the rye".

After leaving his parents' apartment, Holden then drops by to see his old English teacher, Mr. Antolini in the middle of the night, and is offered advice on life and a place to sleep. During the speech on life, Mr. Antolini has a number of "highballs," an alcoholic drink popular at the time. His comfort is upset when he wakes up in the night to find Mr. Antolini patting his head in a way that he perceives as "perverty." There is much speculation on whether or not Mr. Antolini was making a sexual advance on Holden, and it is left widely up to the reader whether or not this is true. Holden leaves and spends his last afternoon wandering the city. He later wonders if his interpretation of Mr. Antolini's actions was correct.

Holden intends to move out west, and relays these plans to his sister, who decides she wants to go with him. He refuses to take her, and when she becomes upset with him, he tells her that he himself will no longer go. Holden then takes Phoebe to the Central Park Zoo, where he watches with a melancholy joy as she rides a carousel. At the close of the book, Holden decides not to mention much about the present day, finding it inconsequential. He alludes to "getting sick" and living in a mental hospital, and mentions that he'll be attending another school in September. Holden says that he has found himself missing Stradlater, Ackley, and the others--warning the reader that the same thing could happen to them.

 

[timschochet]

OK guys, I’m doing this from memory, not gonna paste it. So if I miss a word or too, sorry about that:

Once upon a time

You dressed so fine

Do the bums a dime

In your prime

Then you

People call

They say, beware doll

You’re bound to fall

You thought they were all

A kiddin you

You used to laugh about

Everybody that was hangin out

Now you don’t talk so loud

Now you don’t seem so proud

Havin to be scroungin for your next meal

How does it feel?

How does it feel?

To be on your own

With no direction home

Like a complete unknown

15.04 Like A Rolling Stone (Bob Dylan)

 

[timschochet]

Lots of very high quality picks recently. Great job, everyone!

 

[Genedoc]

15.03 The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger - Novel

one of my all time favorite novels

wiki

Plot summary

The first-person narrative follows Holden's experiences in New York City in the days following his expulsion from Pencey Prep, a fictional college preparatory school in Pennsylvania.

Holden shares encounters he has had with students and faculty of Pencey, whom he criticizes as being superficial, or as he would say, "phony." After being expelled from the school, Holden packs up and leaves the school in the middle of the night after an altercation with his roommate. He takes a train to New York, but does not want to return to his family's apartment immediately, and instead checks into the derelict Edmont Hotel. There, he spends an evening dancing with three tourist girls and has a clumsy encounter with a prostitute; he refuses to do anything with her and tells her to leave, although he pays her for her time. She demands more money than was originally agreed upon and when Holden refuses to pay he is struck by her pimp.

Holden spends a total of two days in the city, characterized largely by drunkenness and loneliness. At one point he ends up at a museum, where he contrasts his life with the statues of Eskimos on display. For as long as he can remember, the statues have been fixed and unchanging. It is clear to the reader, if not to Holden, that the teenager is afraid and nervous about the process of change and growing up. These concerns may largely have stemmed from the death of his brother, Allie. Eventually, he sneaks into his parents' apartment while they are away, to visit his younger sister Phoebe, who is nearly the only person with whom he seems to be able to communicate. Holden shares a fantasy he has been thinking about (based on a mishearing of Robert Burns' Comin' Through the Rye): he pictures himself as the sole guardian of numerous children running and playing in a huge rye field on the edge of a cliff. His job is to catch the children if they wander close to the brink; to be a "catcher in the rye".

After leaving his parents' apartment, Holden then drops by to see his old English teacher, Mr. Antolini in the middle of the night, and is offered advice on life and a place to sleep. During the speech on life, Mr. Antolini has a number of "highballs," an alcoholic drink popular at the time. His comfort is upset when he wakes up in the night to find Mr. Antolini patting his head in a way that he perceives as "perverty." There is much speculation on whether or not Mr. Antolini was making a sexual advance on Holden, and it is left widely up to the reader whether or not this is true. Holden leaves and spends his last afternoon wandering the city. He later wonders if his interpretation of Mr. Antolini's actions was correct.

Holden intends to move out west, and relays these plans to his sister, who decides she wants to go with him. He refuses to take her, and when she becomes upset with him, he tells her that he himself will no longer go. Holden then takes Phoebe to the Central Park Zoo, where he watches with a melancholy joy as she rides a carousel. At the close of the book, Holden decides not to mention much about the present day, finding it inconsequential. He alludes to "getting sick" and living in a mental hospital, and mentions that he'll be attending another school in September. Holden says that he has found himself missing Stradlater, Ackley, and the others--warning the reader that the same thing could happen to them.

I realize this is heresy, I'm not a judge in this category, my opinion is in the minority, and I'm fully prepared for the flack that I take for stating this, but I didn't like this book. At all. Not even a little bit. I was terribly excited to read it. I'd heard what a wonderful piece of art it was and how as teenage boy I was going to love it and how it would change my perception of things. I waited and waited and waited for the payoff, thinking there had to eventually be one. Nope - there wasn't. I thought Holden was whiny little self absorbed brat and I never felt sorry for him or identified with him. I feel like I missed out on something when I hear other people state how spectacular this book was.

This isn't the only piece of art like this. There are a couple of others - both movies - that I feel very much the same way about. Never got them, never got into them, and never saw what everyone else seemed to see in them. Those movies were Unforgiven and American Splendor. My brother and I have talked about it at length, and he thinks I have a problem identifying with flawed characters. Maybe that has something to do with it, but I love plenty of flawed characters from other works of art. Just not Holden.

 

[Mister CIA]

OK guys, I’m doing this from memory, not gonna paste it. So if I miss a word or too, sorry about that:

Once upon a time

You dressed so fine

Do the bums a dime

In your prime

Then you

People call

They say, beware doll

You’re bound to fall

You thought they were all

A kiddin you

You used to laugh about

Everybody that was hangin out

Now you don’t talk so loud

Now you don’t seem so proud

Havin to be scroungin for your next meal

How does it feel?

How does it feel?

To be on your own

With no direction home

Like a complete unknown

15.04 Like A Rolling Stone (Bob Dylan)

Poem?Seriously, I was giving consideration to this as my top song.

 

[Doug B]

15.5 - Edict of Milan, Political Document [1]

The Edict of Milan (Edictum Mediolanensium) was a letter signed by emperors Constantine I and Licinius that proclaimed religious toleration in the Roman Empire. The letter was issued in 313 AD, shortly after the conclusion of the Diocletian Persecution.

The Edict of Milan was issued in 313 AD, in the names of the Roman Emperors Constantine I, who ruled the western parts of the Empire, and Licinius, who ruled the east. The two augusti were in Milan to celebrate the wedding of Constantine's sister with Licinius.

A previous edict of toleration had been recently issued by the emperor Galerius from Serdica and posted up at Nicomedia on 13, May 311. By its provisions, the Christians, who had "followed such a caprice and had fallen into such a folly that they would not obey the institutes of antiquity", were granted an indulgence.

Wherefore, for this our indulgence, they ought to pray to their God for our safety, for that of the republic, and for their own, that the commonwealth may continue uninjured on every side, and that they may be able to live securely in their homes.

[However, by] the Edict of Milan the meeting places and other properties which had been confiscated from the Christians and sold or granted out of the government treasury were to be returned:

...the same shall be restored to the Christians without payment or any claim of recompense and without any kind of fraud or deception...

It directed the provincial magistrates to execute this order at once with all energy, so that public order may be restored and the continuance of the Divine favor may "preserve and prosper our successes together with the good of the state."

The actual edicts have not been retrieved inscribed upon stone. However, they are quoted at length in a historical work with a theme of divine retribution, Lactantius' De mortibus persecutorum ("Deaths of the persecutors"), who gives the Latin text of both Galerius's Edict of Toleration as posted up at Nicomedia on 30 April 311 AD, and of Licinius's letter of toleration and restitution addressed to the governor of Bithynia, posted up also at Nicomedia on 13 June 313 AD. Eusebius of Caesarea translated both into Greek in his History of the Church (Historia Ecclesiastica). His version of the letter of Licinius must derive from a copy as posted up in Palestine (probably at Caesarea) in the late summer or early autumn of 313 AD, but the origin of his copy of Galerius's edit of 311 AD is unknown, since that does not seem to have been promulgated in Palestine.

 

[Abrantes]

15.06 Georges Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (Painting)

Whatever your thoughts on Pointilism as a whole, this is a majestic work. Simultaneously overwhelming and serene. It's a marvel of depth, composition and precision - not to mention patience. This almost Zen-like approach, meticulously choosing every dot, was a great influence on me and gave a great appreciation for the finer details of the drawing/painting process, as well as art in general. Amazing in scope, and despite the rigidity of Seurat's method (consuming years of work), it remains irrepressibly beautiful and gentle.

 

[krista4]

15.06 Georges Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (Painting)

Whatever your thoughts on Pointilism as a whole, this is a majestic work. Simoultaneously overwhelming and serene. It's a marvel of depth, composition and precision - not to mention patience. This almost Zen-like approach, meticulously choosing every dot, was a great influence on me and gave a great appreciation for the finer details of the drawing/painting process, as well as art in general. Amazing in scope, and despite the rigidity of Seurat's method, it remains irrepressibly beautiful to look at.

YOU!!!ETA: Please die from a thousand paper cuts.

ETA2: I was thinking of this one all the way home and intended to take it with our next pick, even though we need other categories more.

ETA3:

 

[Abrantes]

15.06 Georges Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (Painting)

Whatever your thoughts on Pointilism as a whole, this is a majestic work. Simoultaneously overwhelming and serene. It's a marvel of depth, composition and precision - not to mention patience. This almost Zen-like approach, meticulously choosing every dot, was a great influence on me and gave a great appreciation for the finer details of the drawing/painting process, as well as art in general. Amazing in scope, and despite the rigidity of Seurat's method, it remains irrepressibly beautiful to look at.

YOU!!!ETA: Please die from a thousand paper cuts.

ETA2: I was thinking of this one all the way home and intended to take it with our next pick, even though we need other categories more.

ETA3:

Your tears taste like victory.Gotta have a talk with karma to work out some sort of deal, though...

 

[Bob Lee Swagger]

15.06 Georges Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (Painting)

Whatever your thoughts on Pointilism as a whole, this is a majestic work. Simultaneously overwhelming and serene. It's a marvel of depth, composition and precision - not to mention patience. This almost Zen-like approach, meticulously choosing every dot, was a great influence on me and gave a great appreciation for the finer details of the drawing/painting process, as well as art in general. Amazing in scope, and despite the rigidity of Seurat's method (consuming years of work), it remains irrepressibly beautiful and gentle.

 

[Abrantes]

<_<

 

[Postradamus]

Abrantes, if it makes you feel better, I would never pick that painting. Looks like something I'd make fun of in a doctor's office somewhere.

Actually, it's alright. I just don't understand the love. Pointillism is not my cup-o-tea. Obviously there are some fans here.

 

[El Floppo]

Abrantes, if it makes you feel better, I would never pick that painting. Looks like something I'd make fun of in a doctor's office somewhere.Actually, it's alright. I just don't understand the love. Pointillism is not my cup-o-tea. Obviously there are some fans here.

I like pointisllism- not a big fan of that piece, even though it's the iconic represenatation of the genre.

 

[TidesofWar]

Flysack-Layne Up?

 

[Uncle Humuna]

oof

 

[rodg12]

oof

 

[BobbyLayne]

Flysack-Layne Up?

It's his pick.

I got nothing.

I won't be in the draft thread much over the next 8-9 days as my Mother is visiting all week, and my son is flying in for the long weekend. Just wanted to post an update on Uncle Humana's selection of Les Nymphéas by Claude Monet.

There was some discussion about which Water Lillies he intended to take since there are some 250 in the series. He decided upon 'the three panel at Musée de l’Orangerie'. Well, actually there are three different 3-panel paintings L’Ensemble de l’Orangerie; there are also a single panel, three 2-panel, and one 4-panel. Eight paintings in all, on 20 panels.

Les Nymphéas - L’Ensemble de l’Orangerie

I've decided he can take all of them. They were specifically commissioned for that building. The rooms and light from the windows were designed specifically for these paintings. They are housed in three oval rooms on the main floor. Monet even thought about the sequence they should be hung as each reflects a different part of the day. It is one coherent work.

There's no bonus points for surface area or number of scenes in a collection. The Sistine Chapel ceiling or the Bayeux Tapestry are going to be judged as one work. timschochet/Krista4/DougB are free to overrule if anyone objects.

In the end, there are many other Monet Water Lilly paintings (literally hundreds) to chose from and many other series with different subject matter for drafters who really, really want a Monet, so I think this is fair.

Didn't have time to look at all the posts today, but loved these picks:

The Marriage of Figaro
Still Life: Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers (one of about a dozen prints we have in our home)
Moonlight Sonata (this was our backup pick today, beautiful piece)
Like A Rolling Stone
A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (Bueller...Bueller...)Worst pick: Stirrup

14.14 writeup Toccata And Fugue in D Minor


Wiki entry

The fugue starts at 2:51 and the toccata returns at 7:12, but between these two points, parts which are strictly fugal alternate with episodes that are more toccata-like, so it's not 100% clear-cut (like in some other toccata/fugue pairs he wrote). It was used in the 1962 version of 'The Phantom of the Opera' - which is why most people automatically assoticate it with scary movie music. Before that, Walt Disney and Leopold Stokowski used it in the 1940 film 'Fantasia', they considered it to be a purely abstract piece --- "absolute music" --- which brought to mind expressionistic forms and lines.

 

[rodg12]

Hmmmm, flysack was here, but no pick.

 

[thatguy]

BL, what's your ruling on my pick of Rouen Cathedral? Can I take all of them as well, since they are meant to show the cathedral in different lights and atmospheric conditions?

 

[TidesofWar]

Hmmmm, flysack was here, but no pick.

Did anyone PM flysack?

 

[thatguy]

15.06 Georges Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (Painting)

Whatever your thoughts on Pointilism as a whole, this is a majestic work. Simoultaneously overwhelming and serene. It's a marvel of depth, composition and precision - not to mention patience. This almost Zen-like approach, meticulously choosing every dot, was a great influence on me and gave a great appreciation for the finer details of the drawing/painting process, as well as art in general. Amazing in scope, and despite the rigidity of Seurat's method, it remains irrepressibly beautiful to look at.

YOU!!!ETA: Please die from a thousand paper cuts.

ETA2: I was thinking of this one all the way home and intended to take it with our next pick, even though we need other categories more.

ETA3:

Is this the painting that Cameron is staring at in Ferris Bueler's Day Off?

 

[Abrantes]

15.06 Georges Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (Painting)

Whatever your thoughts on Pointilism as a whole, this is a majestic work. Simoultaneously overwhelming and serene. It's a marvel of depth, composition and precision - not to mention patience. This almost Zen-like approach, meticulously choosing every dot, was a great influence on me and gave a great appreciation for the finer details of the drawing/painting process, as well as art in general. Amazing in scope, and despite the rigidity of Seurat's method, it remains irrepressibly beautiful to look at.

YOU!!!ETA: Please die from a thousand paper cuts.

ETA2: I was thinking of this one all the way home and intended to take it with our next pick, even though we need other categories more.

ETA3:

Is this the painting that Cameron is staring at in Ferris Bueler's Day Off?

Damn right!

 

[rodg12]

15.06 Georges Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (Painting)

Whatever your thoughts on Pointilism as a whole, this is a majestic work. Simoultaneously overwhelming and serene. It's a marvel of depth, composition and precision - not to mention patience. This almost Zen-like approach, meticulously choosing every dot, was a great influence on me and gave a great appreciation for the finer details of the drawing/painting process, as well as art in general. Amazing in scope, and despite the rigidity of Seurat's method, it remains irrepressibly beautiful to look at.

YOU!!!ETA: Please die from a thousand paper cuts.

ETA2: I was thinking of this one all the way home and intended to take it with our next pick, even though we need other categories more.

ETA3:

Is this the painting that Cameron is staring at in Ferris Bueler's Day Off?

A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (Bueller...Bueller...)

 

[BobbyLayne]

Sorry for holding it up guys...Flysack sent me a PM (which I just read) asking me to make the pick.

After two critically acclaimed albums in his first year - but with mediocre commercial sales - this rocker was given an enormous budget in a last-ditch effort at a commercially viable record. However, it became bogged down in the recording process while striving for a wall of sound production. Fed by the release of an early mix of the title track to progressive rock radio, anticipation built toward the album's release. All in all the album took more than 14 months to record, with six months alone spent on the title song itself. During this time the artist battled with anger and frustration over the album, saying he heard "sounds in [his] head" that he could not explain to the others in the studio. During the process, he brought in a music critic to help with production. This would lead to the breakup of his producer and manager, after which the writer assumed both roles.

His handlers hid the bills from the CBS paymasters because they were so far over budget...but he just had to get it right.

Guess you could say he was a broken hero on a last chance power drive.

15.07 (287th pick) - Born to Run - Album

The Boss

Side One:

"Thunder Road" - 4:49

"Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" - 3:11

"Night" - 3:00

"Backstreets" - 6:30

Side Two:

"Born to Run" - 4:31

"She's the One" - 4:30

"Meeting Across the River" - 3:18

"Jungleland" - 9:36

I didn't buy the first two albums until later, but my cousin (nicknamed Jersey Joe, go figure) kept raving about him, so I bought this the day it came out. Put it on the turntable, and this was the first song I ever listened to by Bruce Springsteen:

The screen door slams

Mary' dress waves

Like a vision she dances across the porch

As the radio plays

Roy Orbison singing for the lonely

Hey that's me and I want you only

Don't turn me home again

I just can't face myself alone again

Don't run back inside

Darling you know just what I'm here for

So you're scared and you're thinking

That maybe we ain't that young anymore

Show a little faith there's magic in the night

You ain't a beauty but hey you're alright

Oh and that's alright with me

You can hide 'neath your covers

And study your pain

Make crosses from your lovers

Throw roses in the rain

Waste your summer praying in vain

For a saviour to rise from these streets

Well now I'm no hero

That's understood

All the redemption I can offer girl

Is beneath this dirty hood

With a chance to make it good somehow

Hey what else can we do now ?

Except roll down the window

And let the wind blow

Back your hair

Well the night's busting open

These two lanes will take us anywhere

We got one last chance to make it real

To trade in these wings on some wheels

Climb in back

Heaven's waiting on down the tracks

Oh-oh come take my hand

We're riding out tonight to case the promised land

Oh-oh Thunder Road oh Thunder Road

Lying out there like a killer in the sun

Hey I know it's late we can make it if we run

Oh Thunder Road sit tight take hold

Thunder Road

Well I got this guitar

And I learned how to make it talk

And my car's out back

If you're ready to take that long walk

From your front porch to my front seat

The door's open but the ride it ain't free

And I know you're lonely

For words that I ain't spoken

But tonight we'll be free

All the promises'll be broken

There were ghosts in the eyes

Of all the boys you sent away

They haunt this dusty beach road

In the skeleton frames of burned out Chevrolets

They scream your name at night in the street

Your graduation gown lies in rags at their feet

And in the lonely cool before dawn

You hear their engines roaring on

But when you get to the porch they're gone

On the wind so Mary climb in

It's town full of losers

And I'm pulling out of here to win

 

[flysack]

Whew. I'm glad my two year old started acting up, because I was set to take A TOTALLY CRAPPY 80S METAL ALBUM THAT MISFIT BLONDES MIGHT ACTUALLY TAKE by Terrible One-Hit Wonder 80s Metal Band (no, not Judas Priest, one of the other ones).

But The Boss is better. Well done, Bobby.

 

[flysack]

Flysack, could you edit the spotlighting?

Are you effing serious?

Holy crap. You just sent me a pm. You are serious.

 

[ScottNorwood]

Flysack, could you edit the spotlighting?

Are you effing serious?

Holy crap. You just sent me a pm. You are serious.

 

[BobbyLayne]

BL, what's your ruling on my pick of Rouen Cathedral? Can I take all of them as well, since they are meant to show the cathedral in different lights and atmospheric conditions?

No, because by that logic, one pick could lock up a whole series - and given the inordinate popularity of Monet, we probably haven't seen the last pick that will be representative of a series. Many of the impressionists moved onto other more interesting movements, but Monet continued to experiment with painting the same scene over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over, each time giving a slight variation to the light treatment or pigmentation.

Claude Monet - Rouen Cathedral

Not sure where this will rank, but I find this series to be stunning. If I am forced to pick one, as I believe will be the case, let me know and I'll get on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rouen_cathedr...Monet_painting)

I think there are about 8-10 Rouen Cathedral paintings at the Wiki entry...here's a site from Columbia U that has about 26 (think he did over 30).http://www.learn.columbia.edu/monet/swf/

I seriously doubt anyone will be selecting another Rouen Cathedral, so I will consider whichever one you select as representative of the series. The net effect will be the same as if you were allowed to take all of them.

The Les Nymphéas ensemble at Musée de l’Orangerie differs in this respect: it was a site specific commission.

Now Monet started Rouen Cathedral in 1892-93 (he lived at an apartment across from it), finishing the series back at Giverny. He exhibited 20 of them together in 1895. However, if I let you take all of them, that doesn't give anyone else the option of taking one from the series. I would not recommend that strategy, but in allowing Uncle Humana to have the 20 panels/8 paintings at Musée de l’Orangerie, there is still a vast array of Water Lily paintings to chose from - most of which vary considerably from the ensemble that was drafted. Whereas if I allowed you to take all of them, there is none to chose from.

The strongest reason, though, is the Musée de l’Orangerie collection was started and finished with a specific site in mind. He had been exhibiting impressionist paintings for more than 45 years, WWI was raging around him, and this was his last effort to leave a legacy of beauty. They were placed at l’Orangerie after his death, and have never left their original mountings.

 

[TidesofWar]

15.08 - Bagatelle in A Minor WoO 59 (Fur Elise)

Ludwig Van Beethoven - Composition

I am attempting a theme of sorts, but there have been certain items outside of that sphere that commanded me to act. This is one of them.

For Elise - The Website

Perhaps one of the most well-known pieces of music in the world, this composition is a common catalyst and inspiration that causes many people to become interested in the piano. The first few notes are instantly recognized by most people who may even be able to play them, and the entire first section is often taught to students starting out. The number of people who can master the entire piece is significantly smaller because of the intricate control of touch and emotion it requires to come out right.

Brief History of the PieceFür Elise (which is German for For Elise) was composed by Ludwig van Beethoven around 1810 when the composer was 40 years old and already firmly established as one of the greatest composers of all time. The piece is named Für Elise because a Beethoven researcher claimed to have seen this dedication on an old manuscript which has been missing since, and the name 'Elise' has been the cause of some speculation. It's a well known fact that Beethoven didn't have any luck when it came to marriage. At the time the piece was written he was in love with Therese Malfatti who was one of several women to turn down his marriage proposal.

Some scholars have speculated that the title was misread from 'Therese' to 'Elise' because of Beethoven's terrible handwriting, and that the piece was actually dedicated to Therese who was studying under the maestro at the time. This is quite a far stretch, and thus not a definitive answer to the riddle.

No known records, letters, or accounts from people at the time has any mention of an 'Elise' in Beethoven's life, but that doesn't mean there wasn't one. To expect that all aquaintances from 200 years ago can be accounted for is very unreasonable, especially when the subject is a man who increasingly withdrew himself from the world because of his deafness. At least unless some new letters or documentation shows up, Elise will remain one of the many mysteries in the composer's life. Another is the famous letter that was discovered after his death in 1827 addressed only to his immortal beloved. Her identity has despite extensive research and speculation never been uncovered either, not that a connection beetween her and Elise is implied.

Other TheoriesAnother guess about the title is that 'Elise' was a name generally used to describe a sweetheart during Beethoven's time, and this piece was written with that in mind as a general song to all sweethearts. This is however not a very likely explanation either, and it doesn't fit well with Beethoven's composing and dedication history.

Whether Elise was misread, an unknown love or a woman who inspired Beethoven to write this piece, perhaps without them ever meeting, it remains one of many unsolved mysteries left entirely to your imagination. All we know is that even after several years Beethoven re-visited the piece, but it remained as sketches that where never released in his lifetime

 

[Fennis]

15.06 Georges Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (Painting)

Whatever your thoughts on Pointilism as a whole, this is a majestic work. Simultaneously overwhelming and serene. It's a marvel of depth, composition and precision - not to mention patience. This almost Zen-like approach, meticulously choosing every dot, was a great influence on me and gave a great appreciation for the finer details of the drawing/painting process, as well as art in general. Amazing in scope, and despite the rigidity of Seurat's method (consuming years of work), it remains irrepressibly beautiful and gentle.

Was on my list too. I thought it would last longer... Good pick, especially considering how groundbreaking it was. Plus it was the inspiration for Sunday in the Park with George: http://www.videodetective.com/titledetails...ublishedID=2251

 

[Fennis]

BL, what's your ruling on my pick of Rouen Cathedral? Can I take all of them as well, since they are meant to show the cathedral in different lights and atmospheric conditions?

No, because by that logic, one pick could lock up a whole series - and given the inordinate popularity of Monet, we probably haven't seen the last pick that will be representative of a series. Many of the impressionists moved onto other more interesting movements, but Monet continued to experiment with painting the same scene over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over, each time giving a slight variation to the light treatment or pigmentation.

Claude Monet - Rouen Cathedral

Not sure where this will rank, but I find this series to be stunning. If I am forced to pick one, as I believe will be the case, let me know and I'll get on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rouen_cathedr...Monet_painting)

I think there are about 8-10 Rouen Cathedral paintings at the Wiki entry...here's a site from Columbia U that has about 26 (think he did over 30).http://www.learn.columbia.edu/monet/swf/

I seriously doubt anyone will be selecting another Rouen Cathedral, so I will consider whichever one you select as representative of the series. The net effect will be the same as if you were allowed to take all of them.

The Les Nymphéas ensemble at Musée de l’Orangerie differs in this respect: it was a site specific commission.

Now Monet started Rouen Cathedral in 1892-93 (he lived at an apartment across from it), finishing the series back at Giverny. He exhibited 20 of them together in 1895. However, if I let you take all of them, that doesn't give anyone else the option of taking one from the series. I would not recommend that strategy, but in allowing Uncle Humana to have the 20 panels/8 paintings at Musée de l’Orangerie, there is still a vast array of Water Lily paintings to chose from - most of which vary considerably from the ensemble that was drafted. Whereas if I allowed you to take all of them, there is none to chose from.

The strongest reason, though, is the Musée de l’Orangerie collection was started and finished with a specific site in mind. He had been exhibiting impressionist paintings for more than 45 years, WWI was raging around him, and this was his last effort to leave a legacy of beauty. They were placed at l’Orangerie after his death, and have never left their original mountings.

Although, not a judge, I agree with what BL posted here and he gave a far better explanation than I ever could.

 

[thatguy]

BL, what's your ruling on my pick of Rouen Cathedral? Can I take all of them as well, since they are meant to show the cathedral in different lights and atmospheric conditions?

No, because by that logic, one pick could lock up a whole series - and given the inordinate popularity of Monet, we probably haven't seen the last pick that will be representative of a series. Many of the impressionists moved onto other more interesting movements, but Monet continued to experiment with painting the same scene over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over, each time giving a slight variation to the light treatment or pigmentation.

Claude Monet - Rouen Cathedral

Not sure where this will rank, but I find this series to be stunning. If I am forced to pick one, as I believe will be the case, let me know and I'll get on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rouen_cathedr...Monet_painting)

I think there are about 8-10 Rouen Cathedral paintings at the Wiki entry...here's a site from Columbia U that has about 26 (think he did over 30).http://www.learn.columbia.edu/monet/swf/

I seriously doubt anyone will be selecting another Rouen Cathedral, so I will consider whichever one you select as representative of the series. The net effect will be the same as if you were allowed to take all of them.

The Les Nymphéas ensemble at Musée de l’Orangerie differs in this respect: it was a site specific commission.

Now Monet started Rouen Cathedral in 1892-93 (he lived at an apartment across from it), finishing the series back at Giverny. He exhibited 20 of them together in 1895. However, if I let you take all of them, that doesn't give anyone else the option of taking one from the series. I would not recommend that strategy, but in allowing Uncle Humana to have the 20 panels/8 paintings at Musée de l’Orangerie, there is still a vast array of Water Lily paintings to chose from - most of which vary considerably from the ensemble that was drafted. Whereas if I allowed you to take all of them, there is none to chose from.

The strongest reason, though, is the Musée de l’Orangerie collection was started and finished with a specific site in mind. He had been exhibiting impressionist paintings for more than 45 years, WWI was raging around him, and this was his last effort to leave a legacy of beauty. They were placed at l’Orangerie after his death, and have never left their original mountings.

I don't agree with your reasoning here. Seems inconsistent but whatever. I'll take a look at the full series tomorrow and choose just one.

 

[Fennis]

Then again if I was an art critic back in the day my response would have been... Great another ####### waterlily.

 

[BobbyLayne]

15.09 SECRETARIAT, sports record - largest winning margin in Triple Crown Race (31 lengths)

Official Great Works Draft, A 60 round discussion of the greatest human achievements in historynufced

 

[timschochet]

Going to bed, so I can't respond until the morning, but BL is right, Wikkidpissah, I can't accept this pick. You can appeal and see if Doug and Krista want to overrule me.

 

[BobbyLayne]

BL, what's your ruling on my pick of Rouen Cathedral? Can I take all of them as well, since they are meant to show the cathedral in different lights and atmospheric conditions?

No, because by that logic, one pick could lock up a whole series - and given the inordinate popularity of Monet, we probably haven't seen the last pick that will be representative of a series. Many of the impressionists moved onto other more interesting movements, but Monet continued to experiment with painting the same scene over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over, each time giving a slight variation to the light treatment or pigmentation.

Claude Monet - Rouen Cathedral

Not sure where this will rank, but I find this series to be stunning. If I am forced to pick one, as I believe will be the case, let me know and I'll get on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rouen_cathedr...Monet_painting)

I think there are about 8-10 Rouen Cathedral paintings at the Wiki entry...here's a site from Columbia U that has about 26 (think he did over 30).http://www.learn.columbia.edu/monet/swf/

I seriously doubt anyone will be selecting another Rouen Cathedral, so I will consider whichever one you select as representative of the series. The net effect will be the same as if you were allowed to take all of them.

The Les Nymphéas ensemble at Musée de l’Orangerie differs in this respect: it was a site specific commission.

Now Monet started Rouen Cathedral in 1892-93 (he lived at an apartment across from it), finishing the series back at Giverny. He exhibited 20 of them together in 1895. However, if I let you take all of them, that doesn't give anyone else the option of taking one from the series. I would not recommend that strategy, but in allowing Uncle Humana to have the 20 panels/8 paintings at Musée de l’Orangerie, there is still a vast array of Water Lily paintings to chose from - most of which vary considerably from the ensemble that was drafted. Whereas if I allowed you to take all of them, there is none to chose from.

The strongest reason, though, is the Musée de l’Orangerie collection was started and finished with a specific site in mind. He had been exhibiting impressionist paintings for more than 45 years, WWI was raging around him, and this was his last effort to leave a legacy of beauty. They were placed at l’Orangerie after his death, and have never left their original mountings.

I don't agree with your reasoning here. Seems inconsistent but whatever. I'll take a look at the full series tomorrow and choose just one.

I certainly hope so. When you have two completely different sets of facts, you have to use reason over dogmatism. Common sense rules over painting yourself into a corner in order to 'be consistent'.Situation A - 30 paintings covering an entire series. The series has been broken up and is displayed at various museums or is in private hands. There are no other Rouen Cathedral paintings available in this series.

Situation B - 8 paintings/20 panels commissioned for a specific museum. They were mounted together in three rooms that were specifically designed for them. They have never been moved (they were covered up during the five year renovation earlier this decade). There are 250 water lily paintings by Monet still availabe even with these 8 off the board. You can find 50 to chose from in the next 5 seconds, many of which are sufficiently different from the Musée de l’Orangerie ensemble that they would be considered unique and distinct.

I don't what your beef is; your rankings score will be precisely the same if you take one or 30+.

In ruling the way I did, I am allowing other drafters to take other cathedral or other water lilly paintings by Monet.

Doug B, Krista4 and timschochet are welcome to rule on this if you really feel like you've been wronged.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Kicking off the Team Fennis invention category (finally) with one near to my heart:14.20 Oral Contraceptives (Invention)

If this were a truly great invention it would be 100% effective.And I would be asleep right now.

 

[Uncle Humuna]

My 5 year old has taken to drawing a picture of the Space Shuttle launching in crayon.

He has so far done probably close to 40 of these at least.

Interested collectors please send a PM with a sealed bid . . .

 

[wikkidpissah]

this is bull####.

15.09 Lavender Mist, No 1, 1950, Jackson Pollock. Painting.

 

[BobbyLayne]

My 5 year old has taken to drawing a picture of the Space Shuttle launching in crayon.

He has so far done probably close to 40 of these at least.

Interested collectors please send a PM with a sealed bid . . .

Should I buy the best one, or keep the set intact? Let me check with my art advisor...My 10 y.o. just got back from a weeklong Space Camp down in Huntsville.

First thing he said when he got back was "I want to be an engineer...and I want to go to M.I.T."



That kid argues with me. ALL. DAY. LONG. Personally I think he's better equipped to be a lawyer.

He's had the Socratic method down since he was about 4 or 5. Asks a series of closed end questions, then traps you with your own answers. He's exhausting.

So I've 70 y.o. Mom (bless her) wheeling around in her mobility scooter, 7 month old Chloe (the epitome of sweetness) throwing tantrum fits for no apparent reason, and I'm looking at a weekend with the prodigy, who thrives on argument and debate like its intellectual calisthenics.

I'm going to be a wreck by the time I get back to drafting again.

 

[Uncle Humuna]

this is bull####. 15.09 Lavender Mist, No 1, 1950, Jackson Pollock. Painting.

okay, maybe only about 30-35, but I swear, they're all of the space shuttle . . .

 

[Genedoc]

Sorry for holding it up guys...Flysack sent me a PM (which I just read) asking me to make the pick.After two critically acclaimed albums in his first year - but with mediocre commercial sales - this rocker was given an enormous budget in a last-ditch effort at a commercially viable record.

I started screaming NOOOOOOO....... after this sentence, didn't read the rest of your post, and skipped down to see the horror of what you'd done to me.

 

[flysack]

Kicking off the Team Fennis invention category (finally) with one near to my heart:14.20 Oral Contraceptives (Invention)

If this were a truly great invention it would be 100% effective.And I would be asleep right now.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

So I didn't miss much. Cool. That Jackson Pollack pick sucked, and I'm not just saying that because it fits into my theme at all.

Tim had the audacity to question how I would rank the United Nations Charter here given his opinion that I would consider the document a rather abhorrent piece of filth not worthy of the status of treaty under our Constitution. I guess I should answer that for the sake of the person who chose it.

I do consider the charter to be a rather useless exercise in grandstanding nothingness. But, the UN does have a rather important function in the world today. It's not the power it claims to be at times and under no circumstance I can fathom does this country need to act in any manner with its blessing or support. But as an entity, coming off the dust of World War II and in the wake of the failure of the League of Nations, the charter itself is a rather important act in human history. I have tried to recall a time where the powers and underpowers of the world entered into a voluntary treaty to hold centralized diplomatic level discussions about world affairs, and use the body as a hopeful buffer between a spark of violence and all out war. I can't think of any. In that it is a remarkable piece of work. It's close to the top of the picks taken at this point then the bottom, I think. I haven't really thought of all the things that have been taken so far but still...

I think what I am going to end up doing is tier the picks when the time comes and look for input from the group about those tiers. I don't know if I am going to do that with the TV shows but I am going to do it with the political categories.