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[ladybec]

Am I one of the few people not watching the Oscars right now? I have to confess to having no interest in them, probably because I've seen none of the Best Picture nominees and few of the others. I do want to see Million Dollar Baby, Ray, and Hotel Rwanda but just haven't gotten around to it yet. It's actually amazing that I've seen only one

Comments

[anonymous]

I watched fifteen minutes of the Oscars, hoping to catch the documentary part. Not that I'd actually seen any of the documentaries, but I had heard interviews with the makers of two of the nominated films on NPR. That's the only reason I had for watching. And then I got bored of waiting. So no, you weren't the only one not watching, and there were at least two of us who didn't see any of the best pic nominees.

Question- you mention that others weren't that impressed with the Gates, and then you just say you were glad to see them. That doesn't seem to address whether or not you thought they were pretty/interesting/art/worth two million bucks. Just curious.

-Rachel

[ladybec]

Interesting question about the Gates. I can't say it was the most amazing piece of art I've ever seen (or that I was nearly as rapturous about them as one of the NYT articles I read), but I was impressed by the scale and how much work went in to putting them up. I also admire the creative energy that went into them, and the determination it takes to envision something and keep fighting to make it a reality for 25 years. And there was a moment walking through when I thought that it was so brilliant to put it up in the winter, that it wouldn't have worked at all in the summer because you wouldn't have been able to see them spread throughout the park in the same way and the contrast with the surroundings would have been much less apparent. Interestingly, though, both of my friends who had seen them and were less than impressed commented to me that it should have been done in the summer because they would have looked prettier against the green trees in warmer weather. But they seemed to think I had a good point about the winter. I

[anonymous]

So all I have to say is, wow. I feel kinda bad for potentially underestimating the Gates. I should say that in general, I have a gross underappreciation of art. But I'm aware of this. (and when I rule the country, we will not cut arts funding, despite my lack of appreciation) It sounds like part of appreciating it might be taking it in in person. My initial reaction is that I like it since it is all orange, and I do love everything orange. I do appreciate the idea of a vision and commitment. What I do like the best (without seeing them) is the idea of public art that is really accessible.

Thanks for giving me the in-person scoop!

-Rachel