Mistral by Callie Parsons

Mistral by Callie Parsons

Have you ever dipped a butternut squash and maitake mushroom pizza into snail sauce? Mistral Bistro in Boston, Massachusetts has an incredible array of dishes, each innovative and delicious. My meal began with classic escargots in a burgundy sauce. The tenderness of the snails paired beautifully with the smokiness of the sauce and the warm semolina toast. I immediately regretted my decision to split the appetizer with a friend.

Starting with rich escargots had me craving something light and refreshing. For my entrée, I had black bass—two filets and the tail—served over a bed of Yukon gold potatoes and boiled spinach in a lime, ginger broth topped with sweet crab meat. Served elegantly in a silver bowl, the fish was both delicate and filling. The tender fish acted like a sponge, absorbing the acidic and slightly spicy broth. The vegetables continued to hold both the flavors of the broth and their own natural flavors, making this dish truly exceptional.

For dessert, what better than chocolate? And what better to go with chocolate than anglaise and homemade ice cream? A chocolate torte with a bitter chocolate cake exterior and a smooth, sweet, melted chocolate interior was surrounded by a silky vanilla bean anglaise and a single scoop of simple vanilla ice cream. The warm torte had a slightly crunchy exterior and a completely smooth inside—eaten with the crème anglaise and ice cream created a symphony of textures and flavors. We made our way to the actual symphony after the meal, and it is entirely possible that I have never been so full. Though perhaps in a building too small for the demand, Mistral is an extraordinary restaurant and I will certainly be going back again. 

Bockscar by Callie Parsons

Bockscar by Callie Parsons 

  

         Thick, coarse blackness is contrasted by a vivid sunny sky, telling the story of a world at war. Currently on display at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, Bockscar is an incredible piece about the effects of World War II. Bockscar is the name of the United States Air Force’s B-29 which dropped the second atomic bomb over Nagasaki, Japan on August 9, 1945. Artist Matthew Day Jackson has created a first-person view of Bockscar’s cockpit, creating the illusion of being inside the vessel. Made from burned wood, the blackness of the cockpit creates an eerie and striking contrast against the rich, bright colors of the sunset in front of it. The warm sky, made with Formica, creates a smooth background for the rough and jagged textures of the wood. Formica was often used to make airplane propellers during WWII and the burned wood is a representation of the pain and destruction caused by the bombings in Japan. The charred interior creates such intense blackness which was evident during WWII, while the bright, inviting sky is a reflection of the popular 19^th century painting style.  Jackson’s use of unconventional mediums helps to make this a distinctive piece. His use of the Formica is a beautiful way to incorporate materials used during WWII with burned wood which would have been a result of the bombings.

            When first viewing this piece, it caught my eye because of the incredible contrast of colors. However, upon reading the description, it held my interest. The materials and execution made me want to linger and see every little detail of the piece. The entire cockpit is black, making it easy to miss or overlook specific choices and nuances that Jackson decided to include. Though this piece was only made in 2010, it is sure to remain a beautiful piece of artwork about our world’s history.

Tents of Lake O'Hara by Callie Parsons

Tents of Lake O'Hara by Callie Parsons



Tents of Lake O'Hara by John Singer Sargent



          The Wadsworth Athenaeum in Hartford Connecticut, has an extraordinarily broad collection, creating a truly unique experience. From minimalist contemporary works to classic pieces, each room of the Wadsworth has a different feeling and different provoking elements. One particular piece which still resonates with me was done by one of the greatest portrait artists of the 20^th century, John Singer Sargent. His piece Tents at Lake O’Hara depicts a lone man facing away from an extinguished fire and two tents. Aside from the detailed scenery and movement within the painting, this piece tells a story. As there is one man and two tents, it makes you wonder—who is this man? Who is he with? Why is he camping? He is sitting on the ground slouching. Is he upset? Why? The blue tint in the smoke from the extinguished fire adds cool tones to the warm colors of the woods and ivory tents—while also adding to the “blue” feeling given off from the slouching man. Though this piece is fairly small, it carries a big story.

Metamorphosis by Callie Parsons

Metamorphosis by Callie Parsons

          “He needs more space!” Lucy exclaims as she and her daughter clear every piece of furniture from Gregor’s room. Gregor screams, desperately trying to communicate—but they understand nothing. Gregor can do nothing but watch as his mother and sister remove both his belongings and his humanity. Both terrifying and beautiful, Metamorphosis tells the story of Gregor Samsa, the breadwinning son in an average family, who awakes from a nightmare to find he has been transformed into a giant insect. Diverging from the typical monster movie transformation plot, Gregor’s family makes no effort to discover the reason for his peculiar situation. Gregor’s parents insist on keeping him locked in his room while they pretend he no longer exists. Though for a short while his sister, Greta, attempts to create peace between Gregor and their parents, it is only a matter of time before she, too, finds it impossible to live with a giant bug.

               Metamorphosis shines a harshly realistic light on human nature and our fear of the unknown. I found it hard to watch at times—at first disgusted with the family’s treatment of Gregor, then terrified of how similarly I might react in their situation. Directors David Farr and Gisli Orn Gardarsson have adapted this Kafka fable into a breathtaking piece of artwork. Aside from the ominous and stunning soundtrack composed by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, the curious set designed by Borkur Jonsson is truly exceptional. The split-level set combines the family’s ordinary dining room below with Gregor’s upright, bird’s eye view bedroom above. In an incredible feat of agility, Gardarsson—who also plays Gregor—scales the walls and truly creates the eerie feeling of a giant insect in a small room. As the play progresses, the set allows the audience to see the Samsa family attempting to carry on with their ordinary lives, while also seeing Gregor neglected and abused. Filled with incredible attention to detail, Metamorphosis tells a thought-provoking, beautiful, and tragic story of a boy who awoke from a bad dream into something even worse.