Friday, November 9, 2018

Word: Rococo




rococo

[ruh-koh-koh, roh-kuh-koh]
noun
  1. a style of architecture and decoration, originating in France about 1720, evolved from Baroque types and distinguished by its elegant refinement in using different materials for a delicate overall effect and by its ornament of shellwork, foliage, etc.
  2. a homophonic musical style of the middle 18th century, marked by a generally superficial elegance and charm and by the use of elaborate ornamentation and stereotyped devices.
adjective
  1. ( initial capital letter ) Fine Arts .
    1. noting or pertaining to a style of painting developed simultaneously with the rococo in architecture and decoration, characterized chiefly by smallness of scale, delicacy of color, freedom of brushwork, and the selection of playful subjects as thematic material.
    2. designating a corresponding style of sculpture, chiefly characterized by diminutiveness of Baroque forms and playfulness of theme.
  2. of, pertaining to, in the manner of, or suggested by rococo architecture, decoration, or music or the general atmosphere and spirit of the rococo: rococo charm.
  3. ornate or florid in speech, literary style, etc.

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              Ben tilted his head to one side, paused, then tilted it the other way.  He returned his head to neutral and took a step back, then two steps forward.  He sighed.
               “I don’t get it.” He said quietly.  “What’s so great about this?”
               “Honestly?  No idea.” Will replied.  He stood much more still than his companion, occasionally lifting his hand to his chin to give the impression of contemplation.
               “Okay, good to know I’m not to only one.”
               Silence fell upon the two young men.  They resumed looking at a small white statue.  It depicted a cherub with raised arms and an almost eerie smile on its face.  The small wings were outstretched, and there was a bed of something similar to clouds at the figure’s feet, giving it the impression of flight.  It was a beautiful statue, but neither Ben nor Will had any real interest in it.
               “Remind me why we let her talk us into this?” Ben asked.
               Will answered by looking over at the person in question that had convinced them to go to the art museum.  The young woman, Sarah, was engaged in closely examining a different statue in a similar style.  Both men found her much more interesting to look at than the stone.  She noticed them looking and smiled.  They returned the smile somewhat more awkwardly.
               Sarah nearly skipped over to her escorts and beamed.  “Isn’t this place great?”
               “Oh yeah, amazing.” Will said.
               “Very…enlightening.” Ben responded.
               “I know, isn’t it?  So inspiring.  Here, look at this one.” She ushered them over to the statue she had been looking at.  It looked remarkably similar to the other, but the cherub was in a different pose and held something in one of its hands.  “Doesn’t it just fill you with a sense of freedom and adventure?”
               “Fills me with something.” Ben said quietly enough that neither of the others heard it.  Then, louder, he replied, “Oh yeah, definitely.  I can almost feel myself flying away right now.”
               “Exactly.  It’s such a powerful piece that it almost feels like we’re the ones with wings.”
               Both her eyes and her smile were wide as she spoke.  She rushed off to look at another statue, this one was a bit larger.  It depicted a woman in a fancy, 1800’s style dress laying on an ornate sofa.  Her hands were draped in a relaxed posture and she seemed to be staring off into the distance.
               “So beautiful.” Sarah said quietly.
               “Not the words I would use.” Will whispered to Ben, who gave a subtle nod of agreement. 
               Sarah examined the statue, taking in each and every detail of the carved stone.  The two men took in every inch of something different, while pretending to hold focus on the same thing she was.  They quickly shifted focus to the stone when Sarah turned to look at them.
               “You two aren’t bored or anything, are you?” She asked.
               “Of course not.” Ben answered.  “I mean, how could we be?”  Will nodded his agreement.
               “Good, because there’s a lot more exhibits I want to check out.  Come on, let’s go.”   
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Ladies, pay attention, because there's something important you need to know about us men.  We're stupid and will do just about anything if there's a pretty woman involved, even if we don't particularly want to.  Not exactly a huge revelation, I know, but it's true.  

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