This week we concentrated on finalizing our Paucartambo PPP and starting to learn how to make a good TPPP. By writing the report about Cultural and traditional influences, and thinking about some plays we've watched this year, I asked myself if a play can be completely independent from the culture of its creator.
Analysis and connections
As we have discussed in TOK, areas of knowledge such as human sciences, history, arts and ethics have greater dependence on culture due to their subject matter. The culture in which someone grows usually affects him/she in different ways, such as the person’s view and perception of the world, the interaction with others, their decisions and generally, their way of living life.
However... it is arguable if a play can be completely independent from the culture where it is created.
It is easy to know it in plays such as "Los músicos ambulantes", where the culture of a country is portrayed, however, what can we say about plays such as "Lo más resistente", or "Hebras"?... are they "more universal" plays, as one of the girls of the group Lila referred to their first performance of "Oda a una estrella"?
However, culture also involves the way the audience is approached in a play, like we analysed in our PPP's report. So, by using the western convention of theatre (audience sitting in front), is "Lo más resistente" already involving part of our culture?
Along with history, different Theatre practices and styles have appeared, due to the circumstances and cultures. For example, plays in Elizabethan Theatre have different characteristics than plays from German Expressionism, and all theatre traditions are linked to the cultures where they appear.
Finally, a Japanese person who knows a lot about Kabuki theatre will not comprehend, think and feel the same about a Kabuki performance than me, and people may think about different strong memories conveyed in "Lo más resistente".
Reflections
In my opinion, a play which seems independent to its surrounding culture can be created.. However, I think that the process of creation, and the content of the play will always say something about its creator. Even if she/he doesn't want to, something about his/her life will be portrayed in the creation (according to one of the readings from the Paucartambo research).
On the other hand, the empathy and understanding of a play will always depend on your culture and beliefs.
Can we consider some plays and their meaning to be "more universal" than others?
Along with history, different Theatre practices and styles have appeared, due to the circumstances and cultures. For example, plays in Elizabethan Theatre have different characteristics than plays from German Expressionism, and all theatre traditions are linked to the cultures where they appear.
Finally, a Japanese person who knows a lot about Kabuki theatre will not comprehend, think and feel the same about a Kabuki performance than me, and people may think about different strong memories conveyed in "Lo más resistente".
Reflections
In my opinion, a play which seems independent to its surrounding culture can be created.. However, I think that the process of creation, and the content of the play will always say something about its creator. Even if she/he doesn't want to, something about his/her life will be portrayed in the creation (according to one of the readings from the Paucartambo research).
On the other hand, the empathy and understanding of a play will always depend on your culture and beliefs.
Can we consider some plays and their meaning to be "more universal" than others?
A very good entry, though you should've gone further when you identified that it is the WAY (the FORM) in which a play is performed (and not necessarily the content) which carries the culture in it. When you identify the settings for the audience in "lo más resistente" and "hebras", you're hitting the nail right on the head, but you fail to spot more examples that develop and support your finding. How about the use of the voice, the way actions are presented, the costumes? What beliefs, values or other cultural traits can be found behind the surface in these two plays?
ResponderEliminarYour entries are slowly and steadily getting there. Keep it up.
Roberto