Friday, January 11, 2008

the birth of taste

Katie got to stay up late the other night because we were watching Project Runway. The designers are such total oddballs, but the clothes are sometimes fun and interesting. I am most interested in the process of how they create their designs. It's interesting to me to see how the artistic process works so differently for different people. Much of the the time I'm thinking thank you TiVo for letting me skip all the commercials and silly banter! The meat of the show - if we can call it that - generally totals about 30 minutes.


Katie was cracking me up, because at the ripe old age of 23 months, she is already expressing quite definite opinions about what she does and does not like. At first I thought she was just echoing me as I talk to the TV - 'I like that, I don't like that.' When I paid closer attention, though, I realized that she liked - and disliked - different designs than I did. I could still be kidding myself here, of course, and she could have just been mimicking how mom was talking to the TV.

It's TONS of fun to watch HER little artistic process develop. She is VERY into painting on her new easel. She puts a lot of care and thought into her little projects. So much so that she couldn't even chat with me while she was first painting. She's getting better.

So, is there hope for training her to hate rap 'music?' If she exposed to the classics - classical music, as well as 80s classics like Peter Murphy and New Order, of course! - will she come away with a natural aversion to garbage? My dad is shaking his head, because despite his best efforts at modeling good musical taste I still had a Devo phase. I can dream, can't I? :)

6 comments:

Mia said...

You meant there is something wrong with rap music?!?! ;)

Margaret said...

I'm glad you and Katie enjoy Project Runway as much as Kalle and I do. I wish Christian went home last night (or Wednesday, if you watch when it airs) because he annoys me the most. I liked how Chris couldn't believe a mom and daughter pair would pick him because of his outrageous portfolio. He had the best dress.

I hope Katie can stay away from the rap. I also hope she can stay away from your taste in sensitive man music. I bet you enjoy Josh Groban's Christmas album. Blech.

Dave Reese said...

I wonder if when katie grows up she'll have a pathalogical need to have music on in the car all the time, too? I'm trying to imagine the last time I was in the car with you without music on, and I'm coming up empty.

Disco Mom said...

Ooh, fun, a Project Runway discussion! I was thinking of starting one on my blog but I had no idea who else watches it, if anyone. Mag, I agree Christian is annoying but, this week excepted, he does make cool stuff and seeing him humbled this week made him grow on me. My projection for the final four: Gillian, Rami, Victorya and Christian. Beyond that it's a matter of who bombs. Some of the challenges are so bizarre, like that Eye Candy last week. It would be ok with me if we had a weekly dish session on here after every new episode. Anyway...

That is a very interesting observation about katie. I haven't really seen things like that in Hazel yet. I keep the music to kid stuff or light background; Hazel paints with abandon, not purpose. And we don't even discuss fashion except to say how beautiful she always looks. This is because I am unwilling to give up creative control in the wardrobe department until absolutely necessary. It is one of my great pleasures of motherhood. You should see the dress (or shall we call it a gown?) I got Hazel for her birthday/Easter - I'll post pictures when I give it to her.

kat said...

dave - pathological? i guess it could be music with me all the time or cell phone with uncle dave . . . :)

i TOTALLY wish christian went home, but he does usually have some good designs, and his construction is good. but i'm getting a little tired of him thinking he's so FIERCE! my money is on crying ricky getting kicked this week. and NOT SOON ENOUGH! i agree with younce's final four almost - i think i'll sub kit for rami. he keeps doing the same dress every time. i really think gillian will make it to the end - she's consistently good - even though her voice is so beyond annoying. and i don't like her personal style. :)

Stephanie F. said...

Rap 'music'? Haha! I know you secretly love sir mix-a-lot Kat! I LOVE Project Runway & TiVo too. Make Betsy invite me to Colorado again, it was fun seeing you and your kids and eating good burgers :)