Cheers!
<!— /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:”Cambria Math”; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1107304683 0 0 159 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:”“; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:”Calibri”,”sans-serif”; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} —>
Let me begin by saying that I am by far having the most enjoyable and enlightening month of my life. Not only have I experienced and learned a lot about art, architecture, and art history, I have made great new relationships within the group, and of course, memories.
Before this winter term I had never been out of the country. So, I really had no idea what winter term would be right for me (or what country). I picked London mainly because the course seemed extremely promising, but also because the whole not having a language barrier thing seemed a lot less intimidating. I have to say, I couldn’t have chosen a better program to begin my study abroad experiences. So far, we have been all over London. I’m not going to list every single museum and galley, because there is simply too many. We went to Paris for four days, which was a nice change of scenery (Paris is beautiful), but I personally enjoy the atmosphere of London more than Paris. Some of the places that we have gone to that I have liked the most have been the British Library, the British Museum and the Royal Opera House. Being a creative writing major, I was absolutely fascinated by the works that were in the library such as: the original Alice in Wonderland, Shakespeare, the Magna Karta and much more. The British Museum is gigantic, and only right around the corner, so it is nice to go there when you have some free time. Whenever I go there, I try to see something new because there is just so much to see, but I somehow always end up in front of the mummies in the Egyptian section. While in Paris, we visited the Musée d’Orsay, which housed a few very famous paintings by Manet. One of the paintings was “Olympia” which was a painting of a prostitute looking straight at the viewer (aka, her client, you). I had never been so captivated by any painting before, but I found that I was mesmerized by this one, although I couldn’t quite place my finger on it at the time. As we went on to different galleries and museums I found that every picture that was about some type of escort or prostitute, I felt really moved by. Another example was at the Courtould Gallery. It was a slightly abstract painting of a prostitute called “Tete A Tete SUPPER” by Toulouse-Lautrec. After having seen this painting, I realized that the aspect about these pieces that grabbed my attention was my connection with their psychological condition. I am also a psychology major, and have researched a lot about prostitutes, so seeing these paintings made me feel like I really understood what was going on in the characters head. I guess this type of connection is what makes art so wonderful!
Although I have learned more about art in these past few weeks than all of my prior years in art classes combined, the best part of this experience is the people I am with. Our group is really a fantastic bunch of people. Each person brings something different to the group, which makes everything that much more exciting. We all get along very nicely, and more importantly, work together very well. Aside from the good times we have going out, we always have fun together and I’m pretty sure we’re those annoying people who are constantly laughing for what seems to be no reason.
Overall, because of this amazing experience, I will be heading back to school with a wider knowledge and appreciation for art and the city of London, and some new friends who will probably grow into being some of my very best.
*Shout out to the butt grape, sosnow disease, yamum, Katwalk, the noise machine, prêt, fresco, sons formage, soya chai, the tag team, the snack box…the list goes on and on….
-Katie Honan
