Architecture reflects culture but I was watching DW-TV in the internet and came across Ludwig II and the Neuschwanstein castle. Essentially, instead of culture, it reflects the person. If we are to describe Ludwig, we could say that he was eccentric and it showed in the structures he had built. It wasn't that he was extravagant, it's just as if he had his own world. Nearing the end of his life, a psychiatrist who wasn't even able to examine him declared him mentally unfit. It's very sad, really. But onto the castle, it looks like it came right out of a fairytale. Actually, the Disney castles are based on it. Inside a romantic theme (by this I mean as in opera) is followed and everywhere are insignias and objects that resemble a swan (it is named Neuschwanstein). Except for some rooms that show gothic features, it's like a living tribute to Wagner's operas. Anyway, I was just wondering whether there are other buildings today that mainly reflected the person, instead of the environment and the culture.

I'm sort of wondering when we start studying about music and dance or was that covered by the Art In Action shows? I guess I am just more interested in other forms of art. That or maybe I'm starting to feel the itch of the impending break.

I'm quite intrigued by the creative project to be done tomorrow, Monday. I wonder what it is. Is it still about architecture? Is there a new topic? I don't know. I somewhat hope that there is a new topic. Architecture was somewhat taxing for me. I just find it hard to sit there and listen intently since I'm not that interested in the topic. It's pretty much like in my other subjects. I sometimes space out or have to exercise great control over myself not to space out. I just really like music and wish we start discussing it soon.

So the discussion on architecture has begun. I don't really know if I should be interested or just be okay with it. For some odd reason, I see it as if it follows the law of supply and demand. What the people need, what the current culture is--- it is what is catered or given to us in our structures. Anyway, let us stir from that since that's another half-baked thought that I don't really care to further ponder on.

I don't know why but I've always preferred the older styles. Contemporary doesn't really do it that much for me. I do admire it though from time to time despite the minimalist value it gives me because to me it somehow reflects some oriental (to be more specific, Japanese) influences. Why? Well because of the simplicity and elegance of it all. There's still the reach for tranquility and harmony. I must note that you don't see that often in renaissance or older western forms. Still, I've never been gray, but always black and at the same time white about such things.

I don't really know what I'm taking about now so I'll end this with saying that the mall I went to for the assignment, the pricier-foreign stores were in the pretty section. This will show when I pass my pictures tomorrow.

I really thought the paintings were a glorification of the female form. After the discussion that it was the opposite, it got me to thinking. Isn't it something that the bodies are being painted and not locked away? That they're being celebrated (celebrated that is not like in a modern pornographic sense). Anyway, I don't really know what I'm typing about anymore. I just think that there are always two views on things (or maybe even more).

This coming week will be all about architecture. I was on my way home when I noticed the structures in Manila. I find it sad that we have buildings here that looked good before and now they're trashed. Everything is dirty and dilapitated. If it had received proper maintenance, walking through Manila would probably feel like strolling in the streets of Saschen-Anhalt or Hessen or Rome. They were built during the colonial period (which was pretty obvious looking at the types of windows, doors, crowns and roof, oh and the rails too). It's one of the things I don't like about our country. We can't seem to take care of what we have. We have this tendency to destroy and put things for granted. I'm not saying that other countries don't do this too but I live here, I notice it and it's just sad to see how beauty is wasted on us.

I just want to share my answer as to what the similarity is of the pictures shown last meeting (Monday). To refresh memories, the pictures were paintings of naked women. I saw that aside from being naked, the painting portray a celebration of the feminine form. The hips, the breasts, the curves. All those would traditionally pertain to a woman (I say traditionally because nowadays people think women should look like skinny prepubescent boys). Woman is soft, she is tender, there is a fullness to her because she is what gives life.

That's basically it.

Let me share with you a very interesting video (it is related to art). I never thought that Michael Bolton could sing opera.