Author Archives: b.moran2

I visited the Museum of Modern Art, also known as the MoMA, for the first time ever on April 24th.  It happened to be particularly crowded this day and I had already arrived later than planned so I aimed my focus for my visit towards the fifth floor which consists of works from the 1880s-1950s.  I thoroughly enjoyed my short visit and fully intend on going back to see the rest of the Museum of Modern Art.

The work of art I chose is called “The Piano Lesson”  This work was created by the French artist, Henri Matisse, in the year 1916.  Matisse is considered one of the most important French artists of the 20th century.  An incredible title for someone who only became interested in art at the age of 21.

During the 1910s Europe was a central location for innovation, especially within the world of art.  Throughout Europe, there were new styles such as cubism, which were futuristic and daunting to some.  As a response to this futuristic style of art, many artists turned to exploring the possibilities of color.  Matisse was one of these artists.  The Fauve movement came as a result of Matisse’s new style of work.  The Fauve movement is a result of artists using bright color to express movement within their works, rather than a traditional three-dimensional setting.  This new style evoked mixed reviews but nonetheless, exemplifies true modernism.

I happened to come across this piece as a result of being in the Matisse section of the gallery.  Growing up my grandfather, an artist himself, was a big fan of Matisse and had an actual Matisse work in his apartment. I think what drew me to this work in particular was the flatness and the bright colors on the gray backdrop.  The colors give depth to the room even though it is two-dimensional.  Upon reading the description to the side of the piece I found out more interesting information.  Matisse had originally started this work in the “naturalism” style.  The naturalism style is the realistic depiction of objects in a natural setting.  Taking that into consideration it is interesting to see the progressive changes throughout his work.  You can see the boy’s face had begun as a natural style but as Matisse changed his style he added the triangle to his face.  Again by breaking the traditional style, Matisse created a piece of modern work.

I only have a few questions that I would ask for this piece.  Why did Matisse decide to change his work halfway through?  Were the effects of World War I, and its technological advances, a big influence on his styles of art?  Why did time play such an important role throughout Matisse’s works?

Tadeusz Borowski’s “This Way to the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen” is unlike any other World War II narrative I have ever read.  The story is told from the point of view of a prisoner, as he explains the horrors seen throughout the Extermination camp, Birkenau.  Throughout the narrative the teller, Tadeusz, has an almost nonchalant approach to the travesties surrounding him.  This attitude was what stuck with me the most from this reading.  The narrator’s composure during one of the most horrific events in history is stunning.  He speaks so calmly about carrying the corpses of children; his “matter-of-fact” attitude that the newly arrived prisoners were going to die; his collected attitude towards this is shocking.

Another attribute of Tadeusz that surprised me was his “lone survivor” mentality.  Usually when faced with great adversity or travesty, there is a story of people coming together to survive.  In my reading of Elie Wiesel’s “Night” there is constant occurrences of people sticking together to get through it.  Wiesel speaks of prisoners realizing they are all facing the same struggle and that they depend on one another.  Burowski, however, tells a different story; he points out the differences amongst people.  Whether it be their race or religion, Burowski focuses on the point that they are different than him.  His “better them than me” attitude is what separates this narrative from other Holocaust narratives I have read.

Going through something so horrific definitely changes somebody.  It hardens them in a way that many cannot even imagine.  This is why although Tadeusz’s actions and attitude come off as surprising, compared to other World War II narratives, I can somewhat identify with them.  Although I would like to think I would have an attitude of “let’s stick together” I don’t think I actually would.  Sad to say, but I believe I would react the same way as Borowski.  During something as traumatic as what he describes, I would most likely have the survivor mentality.  Especially realizing I am the same age as he was during these experiences, I could definitely see myself behaving in the same manner as he did.  It is not great to admit but I believe most people would do what they had to do to survive in the same situation as Borowski.

Hello, my name is Brian Moran.  I am 22 years old and have just recently transferred to Baruch from Westchester Community College.  I am majoring in Corporate Communications during my time at Baruch.  I live just outside of the city in Yonkers.  Along with attending school, I also work at a gym and at a bar called The Brazen Fox on the weekends.  I attended high school in the Bronx and after graduating I attended SUNY Cortland.  I spent a year at Cortland and felt that it was not the right fit for me so I transferred to a school closer to home.  After transferring to Westchester Community College, I was able to complete the requirements for an Assosciates Degree in Liberal Arts.  I am excited to now be in Baruch and learn more under the Corporate Communications major.  I hope to complete my major and work in the public relations field, preferably for corporate media or for a hospital.

Some things I enjoy doing in my free time are playing rugby, playing basketball, and travelling.  I mostly travel to visit family in Ireland because both my parents are from there.  Along with school and work, I am also training and hope to make the newly founded professional rugby team in New York.  I look forward to learning more about everyone through their introductions and hope each person has a good semester.