Assess the influence and importance of dissidents in Brezhnev era Russia.

Assess the influence and importance of dissidents in Brezhnev era Russia. Dissent, which may be defined as voiced or written disagreement with aspects of the Soviet regime, appeared in many forms during the years after Stalin's death. Literary dissent stimulated other forms of 'intellectual opposition', which continued to flourish during the 1960s and the 1970s, despite increased crackdowns. However, by the early 1980s the vast majority of dissidents were imprisoned, exiled or repressed into silence.1 In order to assess whether or not the dissident movement of the 'stagnation period' should be accounted a failure, it is necessary to first define the term 'dissident movement' and the aims and activities of those involved before considering what influence it had, what it achieved and whether it should be considered a failure. The three main types of dissent which existed during the 'stagnation period' were linked to religious, nationalist and humanitarian causes. The latter is often known as the 'human rights movement', or the 'democratic movement', and in this essay the term 'dissident movement' will apply to this group. The democratic movement was morally opposed to the regime's suppression of civil liberties and constitutional rights, and concerned with the lack of protection for the individual and their rights.2 Initially, the dissident movement of the 'stagnation

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Creative Arts and Design
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Post modernism Essay

Post-modernism as a critique of Modernism Caroline Presbury By Modernism I mean the positive rejection of the past and the blind belief in the process of change, in novelty for its own sake, in the idea that progress through time equates with cultural progress; in the cult of individuality, originality and self-expression. Dan Cruickshank Post-modernity exists in the form of a desire to wipe out whatever came earlier, in the hope of reaching at least a point that could be called a true present, a point of origin that marks a new departure. Paul De Man Post-modernism is a movement of ideas arising from, but also critical of elements of modernism. Post-modernism is only understood after Modernism is explained as it opposes modernism, rejects it and progresses from it. Modernism began as a rejection of the old Victorian standards of how art should be made consumed and valued. It stems from the humanist ideals of rationality, reason, science and knowable self. Modernism held an emphasis on impressionism and subjectivity. It was interested in HOW seeing takes place rather than WHAT is perceived. It is a movement away from objectivity in narrative but rather looks at the immediacy of the here and now. The artist creates art from the self instead of telling an external story. Modernism blurred the distinctions between genres. It emphasises fragmented forms and randomness and

  • Word count: 1338
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Creative Arts and Design
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Can Debussy's Music be accurately described as Impressionist?

Can Debussy's Music be accurately described as Impressionist? Claude Debussy is arguably the most famous composer to be associated with the style of Impressionism. Many of his works are compared, often favourably, to the works of Impressionist painters such as Monet. Yet Debussy himself frequently denied Impressionism's influence upon his works. In fact, it is clear he regarded it as a term of insult, as, apparently, did the Académie des Beaux-arts, in their report on Printemps (1887): Monsieur Debussy... has a pronounced tendency - too pronounced - towards an exploration of the strange. One has the feeling of musical colour exaggerated to the point where it causes the composer to forget the importance of precise construction and form. It is strongly to be hoped that he will guard against this vague impressionism, which is one of the most dangerous enemies of truth in works of art. Incidentally, this was the first time that the term 'impressionism' was used to describe a musical work. 1 Nonetheless, we must be wary of taking such an insult as the truth, even if it originates from such an influential institution. Before determining how the term Impressionism could be applied, if at all, to Debussy's music, we must first ascertain exactly what it is. Impressionism as a visual art form grew out of a frustration with traditional 19th Century styles of painting, resulting in

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Creative Arts and Design
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What Influence did Black American Music have on the British Working Class Youth in the Sixties?

Mini-Research Project on the Sixties What Influence did Black American Music have on the British Working Class Youth in the Sixties? 960's Britain was a time of great cultural change. A huge change of the time was the birth of the teenager; children no longer dressed like their parents, opening a huge gap in the market for young people's fashion. Music also saw huge changes, pop music rose up becoming a dominant force with black people playing a major part. Working class youngsters took great influence from this in their lifestyles in particular fashion they called it modernism. Modernism can be dated back as far as early-fifties Soho where black American influenced jazz musicians would take great pride in the way they dressed. They would always go to extreme lengths to ensure they were looking as a cool as possible. They would perform in live venues around the city attracting a large following of working-class youths who would always enjoy having a place where they go out dressed up, meet people and dance till late. This continued to the late fifties when Rock 'N' Roll music took over, the craze died down and would only return in the early sixties. The Sixties saw a time when the first people born after the Second World War would become teenagers. Also the fifties was said to be a time of gloom still in the aftermath of the war, rationing on certain goods and

  • Word count: 1426
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Creative Arts and Design
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How does photography affect us?

Frankie Earnshaw How does photography affect us? Photography can be used for many different purposes, it can change our opinion on how we think and feel. Newspapers, magazines, home photography, leaflets and posters all use photos in different ways. Newspapers use it to inform us and make us feel like we are there when looking at them. Magazines use photography to entice us to buy products and to show us images about famous people and their lives. Home photography is used to capture a happy moment so you can remember it and show others. Leaflets and posters are used to advertise and inform us about what they are trying to sell. All pictures are encoded with messages. When we look at pictures we de-code them without realising. Ever since you were young you have been taught to de-code messages. For example when you look at a picture of someone thin from Africa you associate it with being poor. I have looked at a photo taken by Heinz Kluetmeier. In the photo, four men are running a 400-metre championship. The photographer has very clearly achieved a sense of speed. Their feet are blurred which makes you recognise the speed at which they are moving and the determined expressions on the runner's faces clearly shows how they are pushing themselves to win. All pictures have signs, which signify something that we understand. I have studied a picture by Martin Parr.

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Creative Arts and Design
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The life of Mozart in summary.

Mozart's Piano Sonata 7 in C Major: Andante un poco adagio The Life of Mozart in Summary Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born to Leopold and Anna Mozart on January 27, 1756 in the town of Salzburg, Austria. At age five, it took Mozart all of thirty minutes to master his first musical composition on the piano, a scherzo by Georg Christoph Wagenseil. Shortly after that, Mozart wrote his first composition, an andante in C Major (K. 1a).1 Both Mozart and his only surviving sibling, Maria Anna, showed exceptional musical talent at a young age and were both instructed by their father who at the time served as Kapellmeister to the Archbishop of Salzburg. Mozart's talent was not restricted to the keyboard; he also played the violin, the organ, and was fluent in seven languages. Mozart spent the majority of his childhood and youth developing his talent and performing around Western Europe along with Leopold and Maria Anna for audiences such as the Empress Maria Teresa of Vienna.2 In 1782, Mozart married Constanze Weber despite the disapproval of his father. The couple made their home in Vienna where Mozart supported his family by writing music for the public. The final ten years of the composer's life were difficult. He received little or no commission for his works, and the genius of his talent and compositions remained unrealized. Mozart died at the young age of thirty-six on

  • Word count: 998
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Creative Arts and Design
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Consider the current unequal distribution of food between developed and undeveloped countries

Consider the various factors which make the current unequal distribution of food between developed and developing countries likely to improve and/or worsen. By Gareth Griffiths In the following essay the various factors involved in food inequality around the world such as food insecurity in developing countries and how the west controls most of the food distribution in these countries through trade. The reasons behind why there is enough food to go around yet it doesn't actually go around and also possible solutions to the problems posed by food inequality will also be discussed such as the fair trade promotion and the world food alliance. The problem of food inequality is not a new problem for developing countries, having been established within existing trade agreements set up by the western world, which Kruse wrote about in 1966 making the following statement- 'developing countries point out that the so-called terms of trade are constantly changing to their disadvantage and in favour of the industrialised countries; development aid--so it is argued--is being completely neutralised by this harmful trend' (Kruse, 1966, p.16) This statement shows that food inequality has been around for a long period of time and is not likely to disappear in the near future. The way in which trade exists between the west and developing countries is that the west decides the price and

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Creative Arts and Design
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Discuss the three imperial mosques designed by the architect Sinan in Istanbul.

Discuss the three imperial mosques designed by the architect Sinan in Istanbul. Sinan is without doubt the most famous Ottoman architect, and some even say he is the most famous architect in the entire Islamic world, though one thing is certain, and that is that Sinan was the key architect of his time. Sinan lived during the golden age of the Ottoman Empire, and was recruited as a boy from his birthplace in Greece as a soldier, and it was in the military that Sinan first began learning about architecture. During his lifetime, Sinan designed over one hundred buildings and was well known for placing his stamp on entire cities (Hillenbrand, 1999: 264), including the city that was the hub of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul. In the 1540s Sinan received his first Sultanic commission from Suleyman I, who wished for a mosque and surrounding complex to be built in the memory of his eldest son, Sehzade Mehmed, who had recently passed away (Necipoglu, 2005: 191). This funerary complex was to be built around Sehzade Mehmed's existing mausoleum, which had been built in 1543, located between the main ceremonial avenue, named Divanyolu, and the Valens aqueduct (Necipoglu, 2005: 196). This location, in central Istanbul, was to become a key part of the glorious city skyline visible from the harbour it encompasses. This was an apprentice work of Sinan's, and though he used the concept of the

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Creative Arts and Design
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) The D major Concerto is a transcription of his C major Concerto for oboe. It is still very popular to this day and for good reason. Its melody lines are infectious and has a driving rhythm. This is a playful Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) The D major Concerto is a transcription of his C major Concerto for oboe. It is still very popular to this day and for good reason. Its melody lines are infectious and has a driving rhythm. This is a playful Mozart in the sunny key of D major which suits the flute so well. This piece was composed in the 18th century. At this time the modern flute had not been invented. This means the range of this piece is limited in comparison to a modern piece. There is very little vibrato needed and dynamics would have been harder to achieve. As a compensation many intricate rhythms are used to create excitement. . Allegro This movement is a very upbeat and fun piece to play. Its is almost in sonata form. The exposition at the beginning contains many fast runs usually scalic. It creates an image of birds singing and has a smooth light melody line. The exposition is a drastic contrast. It is stormy and uses suspension to great effect to portray lightening. The recapitulation uses dramatic dynamics to create tension before the coda. The coda contains many challenging runs but this is the part of flute playing that I enjoy the most. 2. Adagio This section is very different to the 1st movement. It is particularly slow and so requires the flautist to be extremely expressive in their playing. It requires a rich tone and controlled vibrato. Each note needs

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Creative Arts and Design
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The Artistic response to Exile

The Artistic response to Exile After Tibet became the Chinese colony, Tibetan exiles attempted to create a new way of art alluding to their roots. There are a number of images of the fourteenth Dalai Lama that spread around the world to show, in fact, that Tibet still exists, but in another place. The 'capital in exile' can be found in Dharansal in Himachal Pradesh (India) which is the centre of the exiled community. It consists of the government of exile, monastic institutions and the palace of the Dalai Lama. Therefore, for me, the art of Tibetan art in exile primary depicts the life style of Tibets exile and finds a new identity, which influenced by politics. In addition, the aspiration of creating a new Tibet is a new development. However, how Tibet in exile becomes an independent country? "An exilic elite of religious figures and artists, writers, performances and musicians has been at the forefront of the promotion of what is in fact an invented tradition of what it means to be Tibetan after 1959: an invention defined in terms of the imagined communities of Tibetan Buddhism and neo-nationalism." ( Clare Harris, In the image of Tibet, Tibetan painting after 1959. p.42) At the present time, the development of Tibetan culture and the invention of Tibetan tradition can be seen in the art, for example, in painting. The paintings of exiled artists are concerned with

  • Word count: 1493
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Creative Arts and Design
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