Lauren Light: An introduction

I actually have Kira van Lil for a class this semester and so I've already thought about these, kind of weird to answer them twice, but here it goes ;)

1. Which was your favorite class so far? And why?
As far as my favorite class so far, I have to give that one to a Global Seminar (Art in Spain). I probably should probably exclude those classes, but I was so excited to visit museums such as the Prado, Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Seeing much of the artworks that I have studied in books, getting to experience them in person, really inspired and excited me.

2. How many pages was the longest paper you have written? Did it include endnotes and bibliography?
The longest research paper that I have had to write was required to be 20 pages (intense...). It included footnotes and a bibliography.

3. What was your favorite paper? Please tell us about the topic in a couple of sentences.
The most gratifying paper that I have had to write was one about the talented artist Remedios Varo. I explored her life and art, followed by a discussion of how her personal journey for freedom (in many forms) related to her artwork. I think it is cheesy to quote myself but for this question I will put those thoughts aside: “Her drive to become an individual became a crucial theme in her art work, and because of it, her work is centered on a desire to discover a sense of freedom or examines the ways in which she felt she was not free.”

4. Which books did you read of late - art, fiction, non-fiction, graphic novel? Comments are welcome.
My New Years resolution to read more has now been accelerated seeing as how, aside from what is required of me by classes and work, I have not picked up a book in about a year…. how embarrassing.

5. Which artist or writer or musician or director really impresses you? And why?
Jason deCaires Taylor (Artist). He really impresses me because he found a way to create art that alludes to a problem that the art itself is helping to correct. I have included a link so everyone can read about the project: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/01/pictures/110105-underwater-sculpture-park-garden-cancun-mexico-caribbean-pictures-photos-science/

6. What is your main interest besides writing, art, music, (i.e., the humanities)?
My main interests include my family (I try to spend as much time as possible with them), My dog (who, as an interest, includes outdoor activity like jogging and hiking and snowshoeing since I do those things with her...), and I am trying to get into cooking (which can be considered a form of art, so maybe we'll group that under "homemaking"?)

7. Please describe briefly an article in a newspaper or a magazine that got you thinking lately.
*See question #4 regarding reading, see question #10 for an article that really got me thinking ;)

8. Please share an event that you found out about through the media, including an on line news or blog that made you more aware of the culture you live in.
This is not an event, and I am not positive of its validity, but it got me thinking about culture and the power of brand names...
www.mint.com/blog/trends/the-rip-brand-vs-generic-drugs/

9. Which cultural event has really impressed you lately? This can be a museum, a concert, or anything like that, but also a sports game (if you consider this a cultural event, for which there are good reasons). Or anything I am not even thinking of … Again, tell us why.
I have spent about an hour trying to think of a cultural event that has impressed me, but I guess that I am harder to impress than I previously thought… Bummer.

10. Please share with us a thought or an idea that really widened your intellectual horizon. If possible, give a source for this idea so that those among the others who are interested know where to go to.
I hope that the link I am posting for this question gets visited. I would really like to hear thoughts you may have. It discusses postmodernism and commercialism.
http://www.adbusters.org/magazine/88/the_coming_barbarism.html