WEEK 43, 2020

Traditional Culture The Chrysanthemum Symbol of Strength and Resilience National Palace Museum Cora Wang away from the bustle of city life. As a result, the s the chill of autumn chrysanthemum became sets in, trees be- a symbol of seclusion and gin to lose their a life free of materialism. vibrancy, and Aplants begin to wilt. How- A Righteous Heart ever, one particular flower This characterization of prevails—the chrysanthe- the chrysanthemum can mum. While its surround- further be seen in litera- ings fade away, defeated by ture, such as in the story the frigid winds, this resil- “Yuchu Xinzhi.” Written ient flower starts to bloom. in the Qing Dynasty, it Since ancient times, the tells the tale of a scholar chrysanthemum has been named Gao Chan. He was admired by Chinese schol- viewed as peculiar by his ars and literati, inspiring fellow intellectuals, as he countless poems, stories, had no desire for fame or and artworks. Besides wealth, and was often at praising it for its beauty, odds with the Confucian they celebrated it as a sym- scholars prevalent at the bol of vitality and tenacity. time. Gao Chan kept a low profile, but he was known Humble Origins by those close to him for One of the earliest in- his kindness and righ- stances of the chrysan- teousness. He was always themum being refer- seeking self-improvement enced in poetry is in Qu and frequently carried out Yuan’s famous poem “Li good deeds in secret. Sao,” composed during Gao Chan felt disillu- the Warring States period. sioned by the fickleness of In it, he writes: “Dew from the world around him and magnolia leaves I drank longed for the freedom of at dawn, / At eve for food the countryside. Thus, he were aster petals borne.” decided to leave the tu- Aster refers to the As- mult of the city and moved teraceae family of flow- with his family to the ering plants, to which mountains. For years, he the chrysanthemum be- lived a simple yet fulfilling longs. Chrysanthemums existence amid nature. All were commonly used for was well, until one day a medicine. In just a few flood suddenly destroyed lines, Qu Yuan conveys his home. Once again, he that what matters isn’t was forced to consider the one’s wealth, but rather volatility of life. the purity of one’s one’s After some deliberation, heart. Gao Chan realized that As the poem suggests, living a peaceful, idyllic the chrysanthemum was lifestyle didn’t necessar- a relatively unremarkable ily mean he had to retreat flower, frequently used completely from society. by the common people. Therefore, he moved back In the “Compendium of to the city, found an emp- Materia Medica,” a Chi- ty plot of land downtown, nese herbology volume and built a new home. In written in the Ming Dy- his garden, he planted nasty, numerous species 500 chrysanthemum of chrysanthemums were bulbs. Once autumn came documented. One may around, his garden was in wonder how such an ordi- full bloom. Its beauty and nary plant acquired such sweet fragrance attract- cultural significance. ed visitors from all over The chrysanthemum’s the city. escalation in status didn’t Gao Chan opened the occur until the Jin Dynas- doors of his garden to the ty, when it was brought to public, hoping to share his prominence by the poet tranquil oasis with others. Tao Yuanming. Much of However, he chose to stay his poetry described his in the background, un- simple life of reclusion in known to visitors. the countryside. He often drew inspiration from the Continued on Page 4 beauty and serenity of na- ture, with the chrysanthe- mum being a frequent motif. In one of his most famous poems, “Drink- ing: No. 5,” he wrote: “I pluck chrysanthemums under the eastern hedge, / and gaze afar towards This elegant chrysanthemum painting is one of Zou Yigui’s the southern mountains.” most celebrated pieces. It Yuanming’s poetry of- depicts vibrant clusters of ten evoked in readers a chrysanthemums amid lush yearning for the simplic- green leaves and was painted ity of a pastoral lifestyle, with the “mogu” technique. B22 | ARTS & CULTURE TUESDAY, OCTOBERWeek 20,43, 2020 TUESDAY,Week 43, 2020OCTOBER 20, 2020 ARTS & CULTURE |B3 3

PUBLIc DomaIN TradiTional CulTure think? Are we imprisoning or banishing our culture because of crimethink? Will the “safe spaces” of some of our universities, the The CloC ks Are sTriking 13 self-censorship of campus conservatives, and “cancel culture,” meaning the end of history as we know it, soon be common throughout our land? Culture in an Hope Recently, I spoke with a 19-year-old Ep- och Times reader from Montana. Maddie had written me an email of more than 2,000 words addressing her concerns Age of Deceit about America and her belief that we need to place more value on the family Jeff Minick the windows of a nearby WalMart, beat and on faith if we are to save this country. four employees, and stole $10,000 worth In her letter, she wrote about the “clear ore than at any other time of goods? lack of honesty” and “overarching theme in our history, we live in Then there is the Black Lives Matter of conformity and acceptance” in our an age of fraud and men- movement. A Martian who reads a bit society. Behind the dacity. about our culture might believe BLM During our subsequent telephone con- Here’s just one example. aims to reduce inner-city violence in versation, Maddie at one point asked, “I MDespite many health officials decrying places like Chicago, where black-on- know this sounds trite, but do you have the practice as useless, our mayors and black violence weekly produces dead hope for America?” Subscription governors have decreed citizens must and wounded tolls worthy of a battle- I replied, “Yes, I do. Because of people like wear masks to prevent the spread of COV- field. But no—BLM with its Marxist you, Maddie, and because of my own chil- ID-19. Most of us, even those who despise agenda makes reference to blacks killed dren, and other young people I know. I’m Your subscription will not only provide you with the masks as demeaning and inhumane, by the police, apparently meaning that an old guy, but you young people are the accurate news and features, but also contribute slip on the masks when required. some black lives, those killed by cops, future. You are my hope.” to the revival of American journalism and help But do they work? matter more than others. Maddie and others understand that cor- Here’s a test. Slip on your mask, put on a Many in the media have encouraged rupted language walks hand in hand with safeguard our freedoms for future generations. pair of glasses, and exhale several times. Black Lives Matter, in part because of corrupted morality and a corrupt culture. That fog on the spectacles is air, and pos- the nobility of that title. Like the masks we wear today that hide us We aim to tell you what we see, not how to think; we sibly viruses, escaping from your mask. In 2018, writer Kevin Baker, in The At- one from the other in the public square, the associated Press recently stated that we should use a euphemism instead of the word “riot” to describe the terror in our cities nationwide. Other experts—academics, counsel- lantic, called for a “truth and reconcilia- bankrupt words hide the truth from us. “the riot” by Philip hoyoll. Private collection. strive to deliver you a factual picture of reality that ors, doctors—tell us we can choose to be tion commission” in the wake of Trump’s Th e novel “1984” begins with the line PUBLIc DomaIN PUBLIc DomaIN lets you form your own opinions. male or female, or some other gender we presidential victory. Sounds noble, yes? “It was a bright cold day in April, and the fancy, without regard to biology or sex Who would oppose truth and reconcili- clocks were striking thirteen.” In this sea- chromosomes. Whatever happened to ation? Unfortunately, Baker then spends son of elections and pandemic, our clocks We believe that we live in truly epochal times, where “You can’t fool Mother Nature”? the rest of his article slamming Trump, are striking 13 as well. the faithful representation of our current events Our politicians and the pundits of our his staff, and his supporters (there’s But Maddie and so many other young won’t just be important for the people of today, but mainstream television media so infre- reconciliation for you), claiming “the people I know give me hope that truthful quently tell the truth that many Ameri- right lies pervasively and it lies well.” He language will prevail. Th eir eyes and ears also for the generations to come. The records we cans are tuning out, looking to online makes no mention of the lies of the left. are open, they are aware of the machina- keep now will directly inform the foundations of the sources for news, and feeling more and This “truth and reconciliation com- tions of the word-shapers pushing for New- history they’ll learn and the values they’ll cherish— more like citizens of Soviet Russia read- mission” sounds more like a kangaroo speak and doublethink, and with courage ing between the lines of Pravda to eek court during the Maoist Cultural Revo- and resolution they may restore clarity and and this knowledge is what drives us. out some real news of the day. lution than an attempt at peace. truth to our language. So what effect does this barrage of Words matter. Fight for them, young Learn more at chicanery and euphemism have on Revisiting ‘1984’ people. Fight the good fi ght. our culture? In his novel “1984,” George Orwell intro- EpochSubscription.com duced the world to the concept of New- Je Minick has four children and a Masking Reality speak: “War Is Peace,” “Freedom Is Slavery,” growing platoon of grandchildren. For Euphemism long ago entered the lan- and “Ignorance Is Strength”—all slogans 20 years, he taught history, literature, guage, a useful device to soften real- concocted by the Ministry of Truth. and Latin to seminars of homeschooling ity. “Passed away” instead of died, for In his Appendix to “1984,” Orwell students in Asheville, N.C., Today, he lives

TRUTH AND TRADITION example, is a common expression used quotes from the Declaration of Inde- and writes in Front Royal, Va. the first-edition front cover of the novel today it feels like most news we read is propaganda. a 1934 delegate at the 17th congress of the to lessen the blow of a death. pendence the famous passage begin- See Je Minick.com to follow his blog. “Nineteen eighty-Four.” all-Union communist Party (Bolsheviks) holds the Soviet mouthpiece: Pravda newspaper. In recent years, however, some euphe- ning “We hold these truths to be self- misms seek to camouflage truth. Some evident…” and then writes: “It would military reports tell of “collateral dam- have been quite impossible to render age,” which is a softer way of saying “dead this into Newspeak while keeping to civilians,” “pro-choice” sounds less harsh the sense of the original. The nearest than pro-abortion, and “senior citizens” is one could come to doing so would be now the usual substitute for “old people” to swallow the whole passage up in the in public communication. single word crimethink.” In our present age of political cor- Today, Newspeak and crimethink rectness, these attempts to conceal have led us to such outlandish ideas as meaning and intention behind a mask university safe spaces, cancel culture, How to Share The Epoch Times of deceptive words continue apace, rais- and limitations on free speech. ing a question: What effects does this In his explanation of Newspeak, Or- corrosion have on our language and, well introduces the idea of doublethink, consequently, on our culture? which involves the ability “to tell de- liberate lies while genuinely believing With Your Friends and Family TRUTH and TRADITION The Media and Language in them, to forget any fact that has be- Recently, the Associated Press declared come inconvenient, and then, when it TRUTH and TRADITION that writers should no longer use the becomes necessary again, to draw it word “riot” to describe the ongoing back from oblivion for just so long as it As an Epoch VIP, you’re else after you’ve read it. 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* (1) Please log into your account at TheEpochTimes.com (2) Click your name to manage your account (3) Click “Request Free Papers” on the left menu bar and follow steps a statue of George orwell, located outside Broadcasting house, the BBc’s headquarters in London. 4 | ARTS & CULTURE Week 43, 2020 Week 43, 2020 ARTS & CULTURE | 5

Traditional Culture The Chrysanthemum Symbol of Strength and Resilience

all photos by National Palace Museum unless noted otherwise

Public Domain Continued from Page 1

Guests remained unaware of the mysterious owner’s true identity, and referred to the garden by two words on the sign near the door— “Hua Yin,” meaning “hidden in the flowers.” This story demon- strates the upstanding character of Gao Chan. His love for chry- santhemums contributed to the flower’s becoming a symbol of righteousness as well as a sign of seclusion and simplicity.

Grace and Purity In Chinese art, the plum blos- som, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum are known as the “Four Gentlemen.” They are the most common subjects of traditional ink-wash paintings. Artists were attracted to them not only for their beauty but also be- In this central panel of an ink-wash landscape cause they symbolized upright- painting, artist Du Jin portrays poet Tao Yuanming ness, purity, and perseverance. strolling through the mountains and admiring the Throughout the Qing Dynasty, chrysanthemum blossoms. The Metropolitan the chrysanthemum, in particu- Museum of Art. lar, served as the muse for many talented painters. One of the most famous artists of the Qing Dynasty is Yun Shoup- ing. He is regarded as one of the “Six Masters” of the Qing period, and his works were known for their vibrancy and expressiveness. He repopularized the “mogu”— also known as “boneless”—paint- ing technique. This skill is par- ticularly difficult to master, as there are no outlines, and brush strokes are made directly in ei- ther ink or color. Though it is chal- lenging, the resulting artworks are exceptionally beautiful, as the technique captures the essence of a scene or object. Another famous Qing Dynasty painter is Zou Yigui, who started out as a follower of Shouping’s style. He was an artist for the imperial family and was known for his meticulous eye for detail, especially in his stunning flow- er paintings. In his book “Xiao Shan Hua Pu,” he explains the methods and techniques needed to improve one’s landscape and flower compositions. According to Yigui, being a good artist is not just about having skills. One must truly understand and be in tune with one’s subject. This means not only appreciating the Qian Weicheng was one of the leading landscape beauty of the flowers, but genu- and flower painters of the 18th century. In this inely feeling the essence of na- vibrant and detailed painting, he illustrates five different types of chrysanthemums. ture on a deep level. One of Yigui’s most celebrated chrysanthemum paintings is currently on display at the Na- tional Palace Museum in Tai- wan. It depicts vibrant clusters of chrysanthemums blooming amid lush green leaves, and was painted using the mogu method. By painting each petal with a soft gradient effect, Yigui gives the flowers a vivid, three-dimension- al feel. Looking at the painting, one is filled with a sense of peace and comfort. As the autumn leaves start changing color, and cold winds have a sharper bite, the aromatic scent of the chrysanthemum will once again fill the air. With thou- sands of years of rich cultural history, the chrysanthemum is much more than just another pretty flower. This autumn, take a page from the books of the ancient Chi- nese literati: Brew yourself a cup of chrysanthemum tea, sit by a window with a view of the changing landscape, and enjoy some traditional poetry.

This article was written by Cora Wang and translated by Angela Feng into English. It is Zou Yigui impeccably captures the soothing republished with permission feminine essence of the chrysanthemum in this from Elite Magazine. In this exquisite chrysanthemum painting, Yun Shouping uses a gradient effect on each petal, giving the flowers a vivid, lifelike feel. In this black-and-white ink-wash painting, the chrysanthemum takes on a more solemn, sophisticated feel. It is depicted alongside citruses and painting through his use of gentle brush strokes melons, which symbolize virtue and literary talent. and soft pastel colors. B66 | ARTS & CULTURE TUESDAY, OCTOBERWeek 20,43, 2020 TUESDAY,Week 43, OCTOBER2020 20, 2020 ARTS & CULTURE |B7 7

ALL PHOTOS IN PUBLIC DOMAIN UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE INSIDE-OUTSIDE KEITH BERNSTEIN/WARNER BROS. PICTURES crickets and trucks on thruways. Enter Johnny Flanagan (Justin Timber- lake). Johnny, formerly known as “The Flame” when he pitched blazing 100 mph fastballs in the big leagues, blew out his rotator cuff early and now scouts for a living. Gus once scouted the young Fla- nagan. The former Flame runs into Gus at a game, and one look at daughter Mickey fans Flanagan’s flame into a forest fire. Theirs is a courtship of highly rarified baseball trivia competitions. All the congregated scouts are having themselves a look at above-mentioned high school batting powerhouse Bo Gen- try (Joe Massingill), who’s as prima-don- na-annoying as he is talented. Mickey helps her dad scout, displaying an eye and talent that reveals her to be Old-fashioned baseball scouts, as talented as the players they hire, happen to be daughter (Amy Adams) and father (Clint East- an undeniable chip off the old block. Just wood), in “Trouble With the Curve.” from having recognized—from her motel room—the sound a world-class fastball makes when it hits the catcher’s mitt, she seen a guy that didn’t have that pan out unearths a prodigious pitching talent in Mark Jackson grew up in Spring Val- and become big-time major league hit- Rigo Sanchez (Jay Galloway), the Latino An illustration by H.R. Millar for the 1885–1889 edition of Tolstoy’s “What ley, N.Y., where he attended a Waldorf ters. ... When a pitch is on the way, only kid who helps his mom run the motel. Men Live By,” Walter Scott Publishers. FILM INSIGHTS school. At Williams College, his pro- those special guys really have that little fessors all suggested he write pro- bit of whip there to really get that bat head fessionally. He acted professionally WITH MARK for 20 years instead. Now he moving and get it in the right spot to make writes professionally about sure you square up the ball.” Theme-wise, acting. In the movies. I find that quote from Baseball America JACKSON by an anonymous scout inspiring. Now, ‘Trouble With the Curve’ the science in “Moneyball” is inspiring too. But ultimately I’m an art guy. is the exact opposite of ‘Moneyball.’ POPCORN AND INSPIRATION Let’s Play Ball “Trouble With the Curve” is a good one; it’s right up there with “Moneyball,” Young Sanchez also sells peanuts at Old School Baseball maybe just as good. Come to think of it, the high school games. Bat-tastic brat Bo theme-wise, “Trouble” is the exact op- rudely calls Rigo “Peanut Boy.” posite of “Moneyball”: the art of the scout However, the father-abandoning- Scouting Versus versus scientific sabermetrics and the sta- daughter dysfunction eventually boils tistics of winning. over and they go their separate ways. Eastwood plays Gus Lobel, a legendary baseball scout whose finely honed under- Our National Pastime Sabermetrics standing of the game and the requisite The baseball movie is an inherent piece scouting skills are supremely masterful. of Americana, regardless of the era. The MARK JACKSON ‘Trouble With However, he’s perceived by the mov- timeless “Crack!” of a wooden bat smack- (Above left) A publicity shot of the great Russian basso Feodor Chaliapin. the Curve’ ers and shakers of the Atlanta Braves as ing horsehide, Ry Cooder-esque guitar “Trouble With the Curve,” produced by a computer-illiterate codger and an old musings on the soundtrack, the “Paff!” (Above right) Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, circa 1888. D i r e c t o r (Left) Portrait of Leo Tolstoy, 1882, by Nikolai Ge. and also starring Clint Eastwood, in 2012, Robert Lorenz coot with diminished capability. His all- of big stadium lights shutting down after was a worthy newcomer to the pantheon important sharp vision is going. The up- practice, and the inevitable showdown of American baseball movies. Eastwood Starring and-coming young Turks are snapping at between a super batting talent up against Clint Eastwood, Amy TRUTH TELLERS got back to doing what he’d done best Adams, Justin Timberlake, his heels like jackals. a dangerous pitcher, or a super pitching for the past couple of decades—playing John Goodman The Braves front office sends him to talent up against a dangerous batter— grouchy old men who’ve still got skills scout a high school superstar batter, and these are some of our favorite American Rated that shouldn’t be bet against just yet. PG-13 Gus’s boss (and buddy) Pete Klein (John things, and “Trouble With the Curve” What skills might those be? Baseball Goodman) also recruits Gus’s highly reminds us of that. Leo Tolstoy, in Love With Truth scout skills. There’s a prodigious amount Running Time baseball-savvy daughter Mickey (Amy While 2011’s “Moneyball” made a strong of knowledge involved. Here’s a good 1 hour, 51 minutes Adams) to go with him. case for sabermetrics (statistical analy- quote from a scout, such as the one East- Release Date Mickey (named after Mickey Mantle, sis measuring in-game activity) as being RAYMOND BEEGLE notice, as he would feel terribly ally a form of prostitution. “As ter- all the truths he had so sincerely wood plays, which demonstrates the tra- Sept. 21, 2012 naturally) and dad don’t get along. He the future of the game, “Trouble With ashamed.” Tchaikovsky also noted rible as it is to say, most of the art written about and believed in were ditional art of scouting: abandoned her when she was a child. the Curve” makes just as strong a case he hero of my in his diary: “Perhaps I have never As Tolstoy of our time is prostitution: It can no mere theories, no mere abstrac- “The single biggest thing for me, and Now an ambitious attorney, she’s less for tried-and-true, in-the-field scouting tale, whom I love in my life been so gratified and my always be at hand according to tions. He had to live them. They I write it down all the time, is handsy than thrilled with the prospect of spend- as being the foundation that the house with all the power creative ambition so touched as began to live the demands of the market. Like a were indeed true, truer, more en- looseness to the swing. In other words, ing time with her stubborn mule of a dad. of baseball was built on, and therefore of my soul, who when L.N. Tolstoy, sitting beside his ideals, prostitute it needs to be decorated. during than his own life or the lives just that little whip in the bat with the But they eventually get on the road. Cue nondismantle-able. Make that: nondis- is, was, and will me and listening to the andante It answers only to profit. It corrupts, of others, which pass away and are hands instead of the strength. ... I’ve never motel shots and nighttime sounds of MickeyMantle-able. ‘‘Tever be beautiful … is truth.” So of my First String Quartet, burst his spiritual distracts, dissipates, and weakens forgotten. wrote Tolstoy at the beginning of into tears.” life and one’s spiritual powers,” he writes As he began to live his ideals, his creative life. On his deathbed, Tolstoy demanded truth from in “What Is Art.” his spiritual life and worldview his last, unfinished sentence began himself in his literary works: They worldview But what is this truth that Tol- expanded. He stopped accepting with the word “Truth.” must be born of urgent necessity, stoy loves so deeply and finds so money for his writing and wrote To express the truth about man’s they must be simple, and they must expanded. beautiful? Ultimately, of course, less fiction, turning to philosophi- REWIND, REVIEW, AND RE-RATE soul, to express those secrets that be free of vanity. He convinced oth- it is a mystery, seen “through a cal and religious subjects. The intel- can’t be expressed by ordinary ers of this. Tchaikovsky wrote to a glass, darkly,” but still, there is lectual world did not approve. They words, was, in his view, the task and friend: “Tolstoy persuaded me that much to be seen, much to fill us did not approve of the marvelous A Real-Life Sports Fairy Tale the sole purpose of art. “Art is not any artist who works not from an with wonder. We find aspects of it essays “What Is to Be Done” or “The a pleasure, a solace, or an amuse- inner urge but with a shrewd eye In Tolstoy’s fiction, in his essays, Kingdom of God Is Within You.” ment; art is a great matter. Only on effect [Tchaikovsky’s italics] and diaries, and letters. Turgenev wrote from Paris “My MARK JACKSON team, he intuits a source of behind- ‘Moneyball’ at first considered a laughing land A’s team did the unthinkable. through the influence of art the who employs his talents with the For instance, we find that we friend, return to literature!” What the-scenes power emanating from stock, goes on to do great things in In terms of fairy tales, it’s always peaceful cooperation of man will idea of pleasing the public and pan- know little: Pierre, the hero of fiction he did write was severely D i r e c t o r “Moneyball,” starring Brad Pitt, an underling who turns out to be Bennett Miller “The Show” (Major League Base- great to see that it’s never just kid come about, and all violence will dering to it is not truly an artist.” “War and Peace,” remarks, “The criticized, although his great novel is based on a true story about a a Yale-educated visionary, Peter ball), tying long-standing records stuff. These things really exist, and be set aside.” Tolstoy advised the young Leo- one thing I know is that man can “Resurrection” and the few short paradigm shift in baseball and is a Brand (Jonah Hill in a departure Starring by the world’s best-ever teams and “Moneyball” is right on the money. It may surprise some readers to nid Andreyev that “simplicity is the know no thing: and that is the stories of this period are dazzling great example of how fairy tales re- from Judd Apatow comedies; this Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, generally standing the world of That said, “Moneyball” is the Robin Wright, Philip learn that of all art forms, the great necessary condition of the beau- height of wisdom.” We find that in their clarity and simplicity. ally do exist. “Bull Durham” might role put him on the map perma- Seymour Hoffman, baseball on its head. complete opposite of Clint East- Leo Tolstoy, the great man of let- tiful” and reproved the great and love is many faceted: Anna Kar- Truth always remained the hero still be No. 1 in baseball movies, nently as a dramatic actor), and Chris Pratt The movie is hilarious. The -hu wood’s “Trouble With the Curve,” ters, was most moved by music. His proud Bernard Shaw, telling him: enina, before her tragic affair with of his tales. Well into his new life, but “Moneyball” might have to hunts him down. He grills him, mor consists of uniformly under- which touts the traditional ap- Rated son, Serge, a composer, said that “I see in your book a desire to sur- Vronsky, when asked by jaded so- Tolstoy published “What Men Live join the Top 5 baseball movies of senses sea-change potential, and PG-13 stated and impeccably timed dead- proach to scouting baseball play- no man he had ever known was prise and astonish the reader by ciety friends “Well, Anna, what do By,” written in the old folk tradition. all time. hires him on the spot. pan throwaways that—much like ers. This newfangled relying on so deeply affected by music as his your great talent and intelligence. you think of love?” replies, “There God sends an angel to a small Pitt’s character, Billy Beane, had Espousing statistician (and Running Time the ballplayers’ talents—come in math formulas and analytics, father. Notable people witnessed But it distracts the reader’s atten- are as many kinds of love as there Russian village to learn three truths huge potential as a ballplayer but baseball writer) Bill James’s long- 2 hours, 13 minutes under the radar like smart bombs rather than human abilities, takes his reaction to music as well. The tion from the subject, and focuses are human hearts.” We find an ex- about humankind. They are the turned out to be a dismal disap- ignored “sabermetrics” theories, Release Date and leave the audience roaring. some of the fun out of it. Not for great Russian basso Feodor Chal- instead on your own brilliance.” planation for man’s cruelty to his truths that Tolstoy, in the course pointment in the big leagues. Then Brand uses statistical analysis to Sept. 23, 2011 team owners looking for wins, of iapin recalled that when he came Art was a moral issue to Tolstoy. brother: Because of ignorance and of his long life, came to own: he made the move to manager and do two things for the Oakland A’s: The Actual Fairy Tale course, but to see the profession of to sing for Tolstoy, Sofia Tolstoya He considered plays, novels, paint- coercion, we are blinded to the fact found his true talent. 1) find budget-friendly players, and But the main appeal of “Money- the scout fading away (and slightly drew him aside saying: “It might ings, operas, created solely for en- that every human life and every “What dwells in man”—“Love.” In 2002, the Oakland A’s had lost 2) assemble a motley crew of over- ball” is that it’s an archetypal story. ridiculed, in “Moneyball”). Be- be that when you sing, my husband tertainment and for profit, to be human soul is precious—holy be- “What is not given to man”— their star players to big-money of- looked and undervalued players There are many classic fairy tales cause then it’s all about the win. will shed tears. Please try not to counterfeit and unethical, virtu- yond words—and we are violent to “It is not given to man to know fers from other teams, and Beane who’ve each got a very specific and that tell this particular story, the each other only out of ignorance what tomorrow will require of had to rebuild with a piddling very special talent that goes unno- best example being “The Flying or coercion. him.” budget. ticed for various reasons. Ship” (a story from Andrew Lang’s Thoughts such as these were “What men live by”—“God in In a trade meeting with another The resulting Oakland A’s team, “The Yellow Fairy Book”). The main appeal

stated and restated in a succes- our hearts.” MELINDA SUE GORDON/COLUMBIA TRISTAR MARKETING GROUP, INC. Once upon a time, a young man sion of marvelous works—until the sets out to seek his fortune. On his of ‘Moneyball’ author’s 50th year. Crisis came; it Raymond Beegle has performed journey, he assembles a motley is that it’s an was a spiritual crisis. In his “Con- as a collaborative pianist in the crew of misfits to help him find fession,” Tolstoy describes his pro- major concert halls of the United that fortune. He finds, for example, archetypal story. found struggle: “I desired with all States, Europe, and South Amer- a man with his ear to the ground my soul to be good. Every time I ica, has written for The Opera who can hear everything going on Baseball should be one of those expressed the longings of my heart Quarterly, Classical Voice, Fanfare in the world. He recruits him. He things that remain about the jour- to be morally good I was met with Magazine, Classic Record Col- says to another one: “Hello! What ney: the human touch, wooden contempt and ridicule but as soon lector (UK), and the New York are you doing, hopping around on bats, the smell of a new-mown This portrait of as I gave way to low passions I was Observer, and has served on the one leg?” The man replies: “I can’t lawn, stadium lights glowing in unknown woman (or praised and encouraged. Ambi- faculty of The State University help it. I walk so fast that unless I the dusk, fireflies, hotdogs, Cracker “The Stranger), 1883, tion, love of power, gain, lechery, of New York–Stony Brook, The tied up one leg I should be at the Jacks, and everyone involved in the by Ivan Kramskoy, pride were held in high esteem, Music Academy of the West, and Brad Pitt (L), as the end of the earth in a bound.” whole production highly invested is often considered A’s team manager, and to have caught the and I lived for them for years until The American Institute of Musical Jonah Hill, as a Yale- And so it goes. Each man has a and enjoying their jobs. Sure, a essence of Tolstoy’s my life came to a stop. Life seemed Studies in Graz, Austria. He has educated economist, particular supernormal skill that robot can assemble a Harley-Da- heroine Anna Karenina. meaningless and I was drawn to taught in the chamber music divi- work together in reforg- turns out to be perfectly matched vidson quicker. But we should get Tretyakov Gallery, suicide.” sion of The Manhattan School of ing the A’s success in to overcoming a particular prob- back to caring less about wins and Moscow, Russia. Then came the realization that Music for the past 28 years. the drama “Moneyball.” lem. This is exactly how that Oak- money ... ball. B88 | ARTS & CULTURE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBERWeek 43,21, 2020 WEDNESDAY,Week 43, 2020 OCTOBER 21, 2020 ARTS & CULTURE |B9 9

ALL iMAgEs iN PuBLic DoMAiN HuLToN ArcHiVE/gETTy iMAgEs PeRFORMing aRtS Casting Musicals: Big-Name Actors or Little-Known Talent? The legacy of the ubiquitous

MichaEl KurEK and Nicole Kidman (“Moulin Rouge,” 2001), Meryl Streep n recent years, we have and Pierce Brosnan (“Mamma seen a new trend in mu- Mia,” 2008), Hugh Jackman sicals that are made for (“The Greatest Showman,” 2017; television and film. That with Anne Hathaway, “Les trend has been to cast a Misérables,” 2012), Emma Wat- well-known actor in the son and Dan Stevens (“Beauty Ilead, one not known for singing and the Beast,” 2017), Emma and dancing. Using high-profile Stone and Ryan Gosling (“La La actors would seem to deliver bet- Land,” 2016), and Emily Blunt ter ratings than using great but (“Mary Poppins Returns,” 2018). lesser-known Broadway singers. As a fan of musicals, I have A Solution From tuned in to watch these experi- a Voice Out of the Past ments, admittedly out of curios- In every case, I confess that ity as to whether the star was my mind and my heart went on the set of 1964’s “My Fair Lady.” The voice of (first right) was dubbed over by Marni Nixon for really up to the task, and also back to the great unsung singer much of the singing in the musical. due to the excitement and risk Marni Nixon (1930–2016). At gABriEL Bouys/AFP ViA gETTy iMAgEs because some of these had their first, she was uncredited as a American music. film and TV roles but also have premieres on live TV. It seemed “ghost singer” whose lovely Nixon was known for hav- the pipes to do musicals. to me, predictably, that some of voice was dubbed into several ing a personality as lovely as I will venture to speculate that the actors sang and danced only movie musicals when the star’s her voice, though she was not the mediocre singing in some of passably, if that, leaving me to singing was not deemed ad- entirely lucky in love. Her first the recent TV and film musicals wish the producers had used equate, and they lip-synched to husband and father of her would have been completely real Broadway talent. But I was her vocal track (or she to their three children, Ernest Gold, unacceptable to producers of pleasantly surprised to learn failed attempt). This eventu- was known for composing the the past. It might be that the that a few of these stars actually ally leaked out and became classic theme for the movie public is less demanding of did get their start as singers and known by at least some people. “Exodus.” She married twice great singing now, or more used could manage better. I am old enough to remember more and began to battle breast to hearing average singing. having quite a letdown and no cancer in 1985, eventually suc- However, I doubt they would small feeling of betrayal when cumbing to the disease in New now accept the kind of overdub- I learned that ’s York on July 24, 2016, at the age bing done by Marni Nixon, if Maria in “West Side Story” and of 86, having lived nothing less they found out about it. Ironi- It seemed that Marni parts of her role in “Gypsy” were than a rich, fabulous life. cally, audiences of years gone “The Tower of Babel,” 1563, by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Museum of Art History, Vienna. Nixon was turning up not sung by Natalie Wood but by by appear to have been more everywhere, usually Marni Nixon! Actress and singer Marni Nixon in Weighing the willing to suspend disbelief in Reaching Within: What traditional art offers the heart Then I found out that the same Hollywood, calif., in 2011. Merits of 2 Approaches that area, yet far more sophisti- behind the scenes, interloper had made an impos- And so I must return to consider cated than we in their expecta- tor out of the perfect Audrey also began to perform live roles the merits, or perhaps the lesser tion and discernment of great but also on screen as Hepburn in “My Fair Lady,” and in opera, live solo recitals, and of evils, in having a real actor singing. Dispersing Our Pride to Get Closer to Heaven in both “The King as a soloist with The New York with an average singing voice Sister Sophia trying and I” and “An Affair to Remem- Philharmonic and other major or having a great singer provide American composer Michael to solve a problem ber”! That list went on to include orchestras. I remember doing the voice for a “fake” perfor- Kurek is the author of the recent- Jeanne Crain in “Cheaper by a double take in college when mance by a more famous actor. ly released book “The Sound of like Maria in ‘The the Dozen” and even Marilyn the teacher put on a recording Of course, the ideal situation Beauty: A Composer on Music in Monroe in parts of her famous of Arnold Schoenberg’s spooky, would be to find people who can the Spiritual Life” and the com- Sound of Music.’ number “Diamonds Are a Girl’s signature atonal work, “Pierrot do both well, like Julie Andrews. poser of the Billboard No. 1 clas- ‘The Tower of Babel’ Best Friend,” plus several more. Lunaire,” and mentioned that Alas, there may simply be too sical album “The Sea Knows.” This new casting vogue, with It seemed that Marni Nixon it was recorded by, who else, few of those in existence. The winner of numerous compo- Eric BEss these people and confuses their language all its mixed results, has in- was turning up everywhere, Marni Nixon! Yet, there would seem to be sition awards, including the pres- is because they are attempting, together, cluded Glenn Close in the role usually behind the scenes, but Nixon taught at the California any number of great singers on tigious Academy Award in Music always think about what it means to create a heaven on earth, when maybe of Nellie Forbush in a 2001 TV also on-screen as Sister Sophia Institute of the Arts and even the live Broadway stage who from the American Academy of to be a good person, and I often the journey to heaven is an individual and version of Rodgers and Ham- trying to solve a problem like hosted a children’s television do act well enough to star in Arts and Letters, he has served ask myself what mindsets prevent internal one. merstein’s “South Pacific.” We Maria in “The Sound of Music.” show in Seattle in the late 1970s nonmusical movies, if only they on the Nominations Committee us from being authentically good Maybe their attempts are futile since their saw country-pop star Carrie She sang the voices of the Sing- and early ’80s, for which she were allowed to build name rec- of the Recording Academy for the people. Pride is always a mindset hearts and minds are not on God. There- Underwood attempt the role of ing Flowers in Disney’s ani- won four Emmy Awards. She ognition and star status in that, classical Grammy Awards. He is that comes up. fore, God does them a favor by dispers- Maria in a 2013 TV version of mated “Alice in Wonderland” won several other awards, the too. Kristin Chenoweth and a professor emeritus of composi- Even our good deeds are some- ing them and confusing their language. “The Sound of Music.” The list of and the Geese in “Mary Pop- most prestigious being the 2011 Mandy Patinkin come to mind tion at Vanderbilt University. For times fueled by a desire to show off. We In their new situation, they as individuals actors in musicals on film goes pins.” In all, she appeared on George Peabody Award for as two from the world of the more information and music, Ibehave “righteously” not on principle but can once again turn inwardly toward God. on to include Ewan McGregor more than 50 soundtracks and Outstanding Contributions to stage who made the leap into visit MichaelKurek.com for the praise of our peers; we act not for To me, the tower is a symbol of pride. I others but to sustain our pride. see it as a symbolic representation of our A classic example of pride and hubris is tendency to show off to those around us. the story of the Tower of Babel. We find ways, sometimes deceptively, to elevate ourselves above and beyond our The Tower of Babel peers so that we can be perceived as high New Online Store Shines Spotlight The story of the Tower of Babel is referenced and mighty: a false and doomed attempt in the book of Genesis and in the “Agga- to reach heaven on earth. dah,” the classical rabbinic literature of on Award-Winning Oil Paintings Judaism. These books tell of a time when people were unified under one language cathErinE Yang the world appreciate as well. From participated in top competitions lo- and settled on the plains of Babylonia. Switzerland to Brazil to China to New cally in São Paulo, but was excited to The Babylonians were led by Nimrod, a All around the tower is he NTD International Fig- York, finalists arrived last fall to mar- compare his works side by side with the fearless and mighty conqueror, who made (Above) Detail of “The the rest of the city. Bruegel ure Painting Competition vel at the finalist exhibition in New best of realistic artists internationally. his people rebel against God. He wanted to Tower of Babel” showing is unique among the art York, and more than one contest vet- build a city with a tower that reached heaven the workers. Museum has shown the contrast in competitions of the world. eran remarked that the quality of the and served as a place of idol worship. The of Art History, Vienna, size between the everyday That it only judges repre- works was a cut above what is typi- Babylonians wanted to make a name for Austria. Tsentational styles is rare enough, but cally found in competitions. The competition has themselves and stay unified and strong. the competition also places focus on Sandra Kuck, an artist for 50 years, (Left) Detail of “The Tower person’s dwelling and the God came down to witness the building a mission to promote of Babel” showing King enormity of the tower. content and meaning, not just tech- has won many awards and partici- of the tower and concluded that nothing Nimrod. Museum of Art nique. The competition has a mission pated more than once in the NTD traditional fine arts, the Babylonians planned would be im- History, Vienna, Austria. to promote traditional fine arts, and International Figure Painting Com- possible for them if they remained uni- has as its central theme “pure truth, petition. The finalists’ work both -im and has as its central fied under one language. So God decided Maybe there’s more wisdom in attempt- pure kindness, pure beauty.” pressed and inspired her. to confuse their language and spread the ing to reach heaven from within than The mission served as a beacon for “Really, I’ve been to a lot of shows, theme ‘pure truth, pure people around the world. The building of through pursuits that fuel pride. Maybe the burgeoning movement of repre- and this is one of the best,” said Kuck. kindness, pure beauty.’

the tower ceased. we reach heaven not by building up our in- sentational artists last fall with an She said that as an artist, her style and Duo Loc ner worth through the praise of others but exhibition of the 2019 competition works celebrate beauty, and in recent

Pieter Bruegel’s Great Tower of Babel by discarding and dispersing the outward finalists’ works in New York City. years there has been a renais- “I saw that the mission of NTD is to N g Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1525–1569) was a ures helping to build the tower. They are building site. desires and pride that may prevent us from Now, for the first time, the sance in this field. promote traditional art, which I think Netherlandish artist of the Northern Re- all working together and scurrying about obtaining the inner quietude in which God works previously avail- Her piece titled “Yin and is very good. It is great that they can, “unmoved” by Loc Duong. For more naissance during the 16th century. He was to complete the task. Dispersing Our Pride may speak, and we may hear him. able only through private arts and culture Yang,” painted in her through a competition, be able to pro- greatly influenced by the Northern Renais- All around the tower is the rest of the city. The question that immediately strikes me auction are for sale to articles, visit characteristic romantic mote traditional art,” he said. sance painter Hieronymus Bosch and cre- Bruegel has shown the contrast in size be- is, why does God disperse these people and Art has an incredible ability to point to the public. Both original realism style, won the Secondly, he was moved by the ated fantastical, multifigural compositions tween the everyday person’s dwelling and confuse their language? We often think what can’t be seen so that we may ask paintings and reproduc- TheEpochTimes. Technique Award at the themes of pure beauty, pure kindness, with large landscapes. the enormity of the tower. that there’s wisdom in working together “What does this mean for me and for tions of works by selected com NTD competition. But and pure compassion. Martins said In 1563, Bruegel painted “The Tower of Our eyes are then led from the landscape to complete a grand task, but it seems God everyone who sees it?” “How has it influ- finalists can be found online some classical-style works that his works are usually filled with Babel,” one of his two representations of down to the bottom left of the composition, thought otherwise in this case. enced the past and how might it influence at InspiredOriginal.org caught Kuck’s eye during the harsh light and a dramatic mood, but the tower; it is now located in Vienna. where there is a row of dark bushes. In front I think one reason might be that man the future?” “What does it suggest about All of the proceeds from the store exhibition, and she said that perhaps these competition themes inspired The first thing we see is the tower. It’s in of these bushes is a group of figures—our has replaced God with himself. Bruegel the human experience?” These are some will go toward the artists and the she would start to go in that direction. him to paint in a way he hadn’t before. mid-construction, and the soft yellows of secondary focal point—one of which ap- depicted Nimrod as the one being wor- of the questions I explore in my series competition. The selection of works “Yin and Yang” is currently listed in In depicting innocence, Martins

its outer walls contrast well with the dark pears to be Nimrod. shiped instead of God, and Nimrod, as a “Reaching Within: What Traditional Art available is subject to change. the new store, with prints available brought soft light, patience, and a sAND

reds of its inner chambers as it stretches Nimrod is dressed like a king, wearing a mere human being—despite his successes Offers the Heart.” as well. sense of compassion into his work. r A from its beginnings on earth, past the ho- cloak on his back and royal crown on his at conquest—is unable to reach the heav- From the Artists When Brazilian artist Clodoaldo “I was thinking of repeating this Kuc rizon line, and into the heavens. head. Peasants kneel before him, while ens since God thwarts his prideful plans. Eric Bess is a practicing representational The competition’s mission and vi- Martins learned about the competi- type of theme that I used in this paint- K Bruegel painted hundreds of small fig- workers lift and carry large slabs to the I think another reason God disperses artist. sion is one that artists from around tion, it inspired him twofold. He had ing,” he said. “yin and yang” by sandra Kuck. B810 | ARTS & CULTURE TUESDAY, OCTOBERWeek 20,43, 2020

UnITed ArTISTS PoPcorn and InsPIratIon Big, Beautiful Western Epic Asks, What Makes a Big Man? Ian Kane to the American West in order to meet his fiancée, Patricia Terrill s an unabashed fan (Carroll Baker), who lives on her of one of the greatest father’s enormous ranch. The Ter- American film direc- rill ranch foreman, Steve Leech In “The Big Country,” James McKay (Gregory Peck, L) is considered a coward by ranch foreman Steve Leech (Charl- tors, William Wyler, (Heston), shows up via horse and ton Heston, C) and ranch owner Maj. Henry Terrill (Charles Bickford), but nothing could be further from the truth. as well as classic buggy to pick up McKay. AWesterns, I’m a little ashamed to It becomes immediately appar- before riding off with his cackling about what transpired the pre- their roles convincingly, Ives’s have never seen “The Big Coun- ent that Leech isn’t fond of McKay. cohorts into clouds of dust. vious day, but rather a feud that performance, in particular—as try” before. Wyler’s Wild West The foreman suggests to the new Patricia’s surprised McKay already exists. In particular, the the head of the Hannassey clan— opus directly preceded his sword arrival that he not wear his duster didn’t fight back. He calmly re- Major’s personal vendetta against was peerless. His depiction of a and sandal historical epic “Ben- hat “around here,” explaining (in sponds that he didn’t want to es- the Hannassey patriarch, Rufus rough-hewn, yet principled man Hur,” headlined by actor Charlton a condescending way) that “one calate something that wasn’t that (Burl Ives), which sinks even is something for everyone to see, Heston. Here, however, Heston of these wild cowboys might take serious in the first place. deeper than their dispute over and the veteran actor steals every appears in one of the few sup- it into his head to shoot it off ya.” McKay meets the ranch’s cattle water rights. single scene he’s in. porting roles he played in his life, baron (and Patricia’s father), Hen- From that point on, McKay is I saw a lot of Westerns grow- with the spotlight going to lead ry Terrill (Charles Bickford). Ap- largely considered by the locals to ing up, but I’m actually glad that Gregory Peck. parently, Henry is a war veteran be cowardly, since he won’t be ca- I didn’t view “The Big Country” The film opens in dramatic since everyone on the ranch refers joled into taking up arms against until I was older and able to ap- fashion, with a rousing title score This film left me to him as “the Major” and his im- the Hannasseys. However, two preciate it. It’s a complex, mul- by composer Jerome Moross. This wanting to be mag- mense ranch house is decorated people know better—schoolteach- tifaceted film that has a lot of is accompanied by beautiful cin- with weapons galore. er Julie Maragon (Jean Simmons), moving parts, yet it never sags or ematography by Franz F. Planer, ically transported During breakfast, McKay inad- who is Patricia’s best friend, and breaks down under its own gir- and we see a stagecoach being vertently touches a nerve when at- the Terrills’ ranch hand Ramón thy, 2-hour, 46-minute runtime. drawn by horses through craggy back to director tempting to minimize his run-in (Alfonso Bedoya). They rightly That in itself is an incredible feat canyons and over dusty, wind- William Wyler’s with the Hannasseys the previous perceive that McKay’s cool-head- in filmmaking. swept prairies. These opening se- day—causing the Major to break edness entails immense self-dis- quences really give a sense of the Wild West. from his cordiality and reveal his cipline and an unwillingness to Ian Kane is a filmmaker and au- optimism that the post-war boom vehement hatred for them. stoop to unethical behavior. thor based out of Los Angeles. To see period of the 1950s (when the film Leech walks in and interrupts But will his seemingly passive more, visit DreamFlightEnt.com was produced) encapsulated. After McKay meets up with their breakfast, reminding the resolve be able to withstand the The stagecoach rides into a small wife-to-be Patricia, the couple Major about a morning hunting ever-escalating family feud when ‘The Big Country’ town and rolls up to its depot. The are soon accosted by a scurrilous trip. McKay, sensing something’s it begins to boil over? tall, gentlemanly stranger, James bunch known as the Hannasseys. amiss, asks what the men are Director McKay (Peck) emerges from the Led by a troublemaking drunkard hunting. Leech’s reply shocks A Big Experience William Wyler stagecoach and takes in his sur- named Buck Hannassey (Chuck him: They’re going out to hunt for I must say that this film left me Starring roundings, and the scrappy inhab- Connors), the men commence Hannasseys—to seek revenge for wanting to be magically trans- Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Burl Ives, Charlton itants take in him as well. Dressed to roping McKay up just as one roughing up McKay. ported back to Wyler’s Wild Heston in a relatively clean three-piece would a common herd animal. As the Major and a large contin- West—it was that immersive of suit and sporting a rounded derby After some crude mocking and gent of his men saddle up, some- a cinematic experience. Wyler’s Running Time 2 hours, 46 minutes hat, to say that McKay stands out jeering, the men grow bored of thing dawns on McKay. He briefly steadfast direction, coupled like a sore thumb is a bit of an un- their noncombative captive and pleads with the Major not to esca- with the fantastic performances Not Rated derstatement. untie him. With a parting re- late matters. When that doesn’t by its star-studded cast, elevates Release Date McKay is a retired sea captain mark, Buck declares to Patricia work, he posits that the Major’s this film to something sublime. October 1958 (USA) who has traveled from “back East” that McKay “ain’t much of a man,” conflict with the Hannasseys isn’t Although everyone performed