EDI: ART AND WRITING.

I hope you are enjoying the different groups' stories and role-playing as much as I am! Lots of fun!! And thru your great presentations we are all learning a lot about the painters. Good!!
Here's an assignment for you.
1- Choose one of the stories presented so far (not yours, of course!) and change the end.
2- So far we have dealt with Picasso, dalí, Cezanne and Monet. Write about what impressed you most about each of them.
Post your work on the blog. Deadline: may 14.
Enjoy!!!

GROUP: Romina, Sharon and Julieta.

 LE MOULIN DE LA GALETTE. (Based on Pablo Picasso's painting)

Plot:

-        Three single cousins at a party.

-        They are trying to get a rich husband

-        The three of them want the same guy

-        He left the party with another woman.

Characters:

-        Drusilla: envious, resentful, mean. Never had a boyfriend. 18 years old.

-        Charlotte: depressed, broken-hearted recently. Lovesick. 16 years old.

-        Nina: naïve, “in love with love”, innocent. No boyfriend. 15 years old.

The three cousins are sitting and talking at a party. The classic music is heard background. They are gossiping in a low voice, using their fans to hide their mouths. Suddenly, Charlotte sees something and stands up violently.

C: I’m leaving!

N: (surprised) what? Why? Wait! We’ve just arrived!

D: (in a tired tone) here we go again…. What’s the problem now?

C: (Sobbing) I can’t see him with another woman… It’s so hard!! I can’t stand it! (Crying loudly now)

D: (nervous) Stop crying for God Sake! You are embarrassing us! (Pour a glass) Drink this! (She handles her a glass with a strong beverage). He’s been always a jerk! I’ve warned you since the day you met him!

N: (with a calm voice) Drusilla… don’t be so mean to her… she is in love.

D: (serious and talking to Nina) she has to face the truth. We have been listening to her crying for two weeks now… I’m getting tired. (Not looking at Nina, looking to another part of the room)

C: (with tears) I’m sorry…. He has just broken my heart. I can’t handle it.

N: (comprehensive and loving) OH!! It’s ok Charlotte… Here you have a handkerchief. (She handles it to her.) Try to calm down. (She rubs her back)

D: Drink this! (She handles Charlotte another glass)

They are sitting, looking at the people dancing and listening to music. Suddenly, Nina sees someone.

N: Charlotte! I have an idea! There is lot of handsome men here. Let’s look for a husband for you. Look around! (Showing her the place with her hand)

C: I cannot see anyone. I only have eyes for him. (With deception and sadness)

N: There is George. (Pointing to someone) He looks nice tonight.

D: (straight away) He has no money. And lives with his mother.

N: (with nice voice and looking to her with a “stop” looking) Drusilla… and... What about David? (Looking at Charlotte) He’s such a gentleman.

D: He is a no one. He doesn’t have his own business. He is an employee. (Speaking in a low voice, almost whispering and with her fan in her mouth)

N: I don’t care about money (with a strong voice now) I only care about love, just like Charlotte. (With a romantic voice)

D: That’s why you are with us. (With a sarcastic voice)

N: Wait!! Gregg would be perfect for you! He is a musician… tender, generous..

D: Boring!! (With an unpleasant voice and putting her finger into her mouth, miming that is going to throw up.)

Charlotte looks at him, with a doubting face. Suddenly, she sees someone entering and her face completely change to a happy one. She grabs her cousins’ arms and gasp:

C: Wait! Look at him!! Who is him? (Pointing to the man)

N: ahhh… (Love sight) He looks like prince charming… we are going to have beautiful kids together…  (Hopeful tone)

D: (with a sharp tone) keep dreaming. He is mine. He is worthy. (Standing up and preparing herself to go and gets him)

C: No! (She grabs her and sits her down) I saw him first! We were looking a man for me, not for you. I’m the broken hearted here.

N: Girls… (Looking at the man) Don’t fight. He is looking at me. (Making an “in love” face and moving her lashes)

D: (talking to Charlotte) you are not the only desperate here. Besides, I’m the old one. I have the right to choose first. (With an arrogance voice)

C: Why don’t you look for a widow or someone of your age? (Looking to Drusilla, angry)

N: Girls… you are losing your time. He is already in love with me.

C: So, why is he dancing with Elizabeth? (to Nina and pointing at the couple)

N: (not paying attention) I can see it in his eyes. He loves me.

D: I’m not worried about her. She is an insipid skeleton.

C: (sad again) She is more beautiful than me!

N: Don’t be silly… (Calming her down) You are also beautiful. (She sees someone else)

D: (suddenly and angry) See!!! (Pointing at the couple) We’re here talking and he’s leaving with her!! Because of you, I lost him! Jeez!!! (Nervous)

C: That’s not true! (Angry now) You lost him because you are old and mean! Isn’t she, Nina?

N: (already watching to another man, not paying attention to the conversation) what?  Never mind. I’ve just fallen in love again… we are going to have beautiful babies… (Romantic tone)

D: (impatient and with no hope) Here we go again…. 

GROUP: Ma. Florencia, Gabriel and Juan Pablo.

Hopes die last. (Based on Dalí's painting Figure at a window)

Hopes die last

It was about 1945, two weeks after the end of the Second World War. The German nation was devastated by its consequences and Helena Kofman was not the exception.

 “War is finally over but I don’t know anything about my love. I feel so empty without his presence and I really miss him. I can’t wait to see him again and to take up our lives where we left it off. Loneliness has been my only friend for the last two year but I can’t stand it anymore” her voice was suffocated with sobs.

What she did not know was that, that day, everything was going to change.

As news travels fast, Johann, a neighbor, turned up to her house and let her know something really important.

 “Mrs. Kofman, I have some news!” he said.

 “Please, tell me! – is it about my husband? – is he alive? – Where is he?  Please just tell me!” She said desperately.

 “I’m sorry. I just know that downtown there are some lists with the survivors’ names and many soldiers will be back home soon. But we need to have a look at those lists. If you want, I can go with you.” He expressed.

Frantically, they rushed to that place with the hope of finding her husband’s name.

“Helena! Look! He is alive! In the twinkling of an eye, you will be with him again. ” Johann exclaimed cheerfully.

When Helena saw his name there, she broke down into tears.

Feeling extremely excited, she went home to prepare everything for his arrival.

Days passed on, but he never arrived. She was very worried when, one morning, general Meyer, knocked at her door.

 “Good morning madam. Are you Mrs. Kofman?” He asked seriously.

 “Yes, I am. Can I help you? – Why are you here? She faltered.

 “I’m sorry but I’ve got bad news… Mr. Kofman passed away.” the general informed.

 “What? What are you talking about? That’s not true.” She yelled.

 “I’ve been sent to let you know about it. I’m sorry.” He replayed

“Wait…what?...What happened? There must be a misunderstanding, what you are saying doesn’t add up!” said Helena.

“Unfortunately, he was seriously injured and died on his way back home. We are deeply sorry for your loss.” the General explained.

Helena’s biggest fear was borne out by the General. Although she knew that that was true, she did not accept it, and from that morning onwards, her life started to fall apart. Even though nobody spoke to her again, people could see Helena Kofman at the window every morning. Everybody guessed that she was hoping to see him again.

GROUP: Valeria, Luisina and Florencia
The silly bet, based on Man smoking a pipe by Cezanne.

THE SILLY BET

Long time ago in a far away country, there were two well-off rivals families who had been fighting for their honor from generation to generation. Until one day, the day when the two elder sons of each family, Richard Thomson and Henry Lancaster, decided to bet all their possessions to defend their family´s honor.

Henry entered the tavern and approached to the counter saying violently:

 “A whisky on the rocks!!!”

As he turned around, he unintentionally hit Richard´s arm, making his glass drop from his hand. So, Richard got really angry and exclaimed:

“Let´s finish with this. I´ll bet you Henry Lancaster all your belongings in a card game. If you win, apart from taking all my possessions, you will win not only my respect but also the whole town´s. What´s more, you´ll have the chance to choose something else I cannot refuse to give you. But if I win, my rights will be the same.”

“I do accept your challenge, Richard Thomson. Let´s do it now!!!” Henry answered.

People present gathered around a table situated in the middle of the tavern where Henry and Richard would play the card game. The tavern keeper offered himself to be the judge.

When the game started, they weren´t conscious about the importance of such a silly bet. As the game was progressing, the nervousness dominated their minds and little by little, it was noticeable in their game performances.

“How does it feel to be about to lose everything, Henry?” Richard said sarcastically.

“I wouldn´t be that sure. If I were you, I would measure my words”, Henry answered.

Everybody there was anxious expecting the game to finish. So, they encouraged them to keep arguing as it was a spectacle never seen before. The game progressed  steadily, and it was hard to know who the winner woulb be.

Richard threw the cards abruptly at Henry and said:

“I win Henry Lancaster!!  Straight Flush!!

Henry got serious and put his head down for a while. Then he exclaimed:

“Royal Flush, in your honor! “And threw his cards on the table.

People became excited shouting Henry´s victory with enthusiasm. As Henry heard them, he interrupted them saying to Richard:

“Wait, wait, wait. I´m the winner and apart from taking all your possessions, I demand something else…”

“Yes, that was the deal.” He said resigned.

“I want your beloved lady for me”, Henry said with a smile on his face.

“Are you serious?” Richard said shocked.

“Oh yeah. I mean it!”

Henry left the tavern feeling victorious with people accompanying him chorusing his name. But only one man remained there. It was Richard Thomson finding himself in bankrupt and defeated.

Too late did he realize he had lost everything. Honor is not something that can be won or lost in a bet.

 GROUP: Paula, Guadalupe, Maira and Virginia.

Story based on The luncheon by Monet.

This is the story of a wealthy family of Cambridge. The family’s members were: the mother, Martha; the father, John; two daughters, Katrina and Victoria; a son, Little John and a servant, Elizabeth.

They had lived happily together till John’s death because of a terminal illness.

A month after his death, the family received a letter revealing  John’s last will.

Elizabeth. Excuse me madam, a letter has just arrived.

Martha: Oh!!! (in a voice of joice) What brings this man here???? Hope it is good news.

Martha starts reading the letter outloud.

Martha: “ To my beloved family:

                                               If you are reading this it is because I’m dead. I have planned its delivery previously with the postman. I wanted to write you to tell you what the important things in life are since I did not find the right moment to teach them to you before.

                                               First of all, the FAMILY: it is important to remain all together because it is the only way to (carry) go  through problems. Second, LOVE: being together and loving each other will give you the strength to succed in life and to feel that you are not alone in the world. And last but not least, WORK: to get a job will give you a sense of resposibility needed to take care of yourself, of a family, and will teach you that the things you earn or buy, thanks to your hard work, are much more valuablethan the ones you get for free.

Martha: Just a second...

Katrina. Stop a minute. Is there anything wrong mom???

Martha. Kind of... I’m feeling a bit dizzy.

Katrina. Give me the letter. (she takes the letter away from her mother’s hands) I’ll go on. (she continues reading it for herself)

Victoria: What does it say?...Katrina!!!!...Oh!!! Give it to me. (stealing the letter from her sister’s hands)

                                               Now that I have expressed my heart-felt intentions,there is something else to be told: my whole fortune must be given to Elizabeth. She is pregnant  with my child. I do not expect you to forgive me neither to love this baby, but I hope you understand I want to give him/her a  good  life .

                                               I will always love you,

                                                                  Daddy.

Victoria: I can’t believe it!!! My dad!!! Our dad!!!!

Katrina: What are we going to do mom???? Mom wake up!!!!!!!

Mother: The honour of my family!!! My honour!!! I’ve given him the best years of my life!!!!

Katrina. I know!!!!, Elizabeth won’t ever know about this ok???? The money is ours!!!!

Victoria: Don’t forget our father’s words: remain always together.

Elizabeth: (enters the room) Do the ladies need anything??? Is everything all right???

Martha. Go away!!!!

Victoria. Get out of here!!!!

Katrina: Don’t you have anything to clean up???

Elizabeth, resignated, goes away to do the dishes.