Art a Play by Yasmina Reza

Marc, Serge, and Yvan are friends. They are three middle-aged men of comfortable means who have stayed friends with each other for fifteen years. Since men of their age often lack opportunities to meet new people and sustain new friendships, their courtesy towards and their tolerance for one another’s quirks and affinities have been worn raw. At the opening of the play, Serge is smitten with his acquisition of a new painting. It is a modern art piece (white on white) for which he paid two hundred thousand dollars. Marc can’t believe that his friend bought a white on white painting for such an extravagant amount of money. Marc could not care less about modern art. He believes that people ought to have a few more standards when it comes to determining what is good â€Å"art† and therefore worthy of two grand. Yvan gets caught in the middle of Marc and Serge’s arguments. He does not find the painting or the fact that Serge spent so much to acquire it as offensive as Marc does, but he doesn’t adore the piece as much as Serge does. Yvan has his own real-life problems. He is planning a wedding with a fiancà © turned â€Å"bridezilla† and a host of selfish and unreasonable relatives. Yvan tries to turn towards his friends for support only to be ridiculed by both Marc and Serge for not having a strong opinion in their war over the white on white painting. The play culminates in a confrontation among the three strong personalities. They throw every personal choice that the others disagree with and look down on into each other’s faces. A piece of art, a visual and external representation of inner values and beauty, causes Marc, Yvan, and Serge to question themselves and their relationships to the core.  Ã‚   At his wit’s end, Serge hands Marc a felt tip pen and dares him to draw over his white on white, two hundred thousand dollars, adored, a piece of art. How far will Marc go to prove that he truly doesn’t believe that this painting is actually art? Production Details Setting: The main rooms of three different flats. Only a change in the painting above the mantle determines whether the flat belongs to Marc, Yvan, or Serge.Time: The presentCast Size: This play can accommodate 3 male actors. Roles Marc: Marc is a strongly opinionated man when it comes to what he values and an extremely condescending one towards what he does not value at all. Other people’s feelings do not factor into his decisions or filter the manner in which he talks to them and about them. Only his girlfriend and her homeopathic remedies for stress seem to have any sway over his strong and acerbic personality. On his wall above his mantel hangs a figurative painting that is described as â€Å"pseudo-Flemish† of a view of Carcassonne.Serge: Serge, according to Marc, has recently taken a dive into the world of Modern Art and has fallen head over heels with a newfound respect for it. Modern Art speaks to something within him that makes sense and which he finds beautiful. Serge has recently gone through a divorce and has a dim view of marriage and anyone searching to make a commitment to another person. His rules for life, friendship, and art went out the window with his marriage and now he has fo und peace in the realm of Modern Art where the old rules are thrown out and acceptance and instinct govern what is valuable.Yvan: Yvan is less high strung than his two friends about art, but he has his own issues in life and love that make him just as neurotic as Marc and Serge are. He begins the play stressed about his upcoming wedding and looking for a little support. He finds none. Although the physical production of art on canvas means less to him than it does to the others, he is more in tune with the psychological responses and reasonings behind such responses than either Marc or Serge are. That aspect of his personality is what thrusts him into being the middleman in this fight between friends and why he gets belittled by both of them. He actually cares more about their feelings and well-being than they do for him or each other. The painting above the mantel in his flat is described as â€Å"some daub.† The audience finds out later Yvan’s is the artist. Technical Requirements Art is light on technical requirements for production. Production notes specify the need for only a single set of a man’s flat, â€Å"as stripped down and neutral as possible.† The only object that should change between scenes is the painting. Serge’s flat has the white on white canvas, Marc’s has the view of Carcassonne, and for Yvan, the painting is the â€Å"daub.† Occasionally the actors deliver asides to the audience. Marc, Serge, or Yvan take turns stepping out of the action and addressing the audience directly. Lighting changes during these asides will help the audience understand the break in the action. No costume changes are needed and there are few props required for this production. The playwright wants the audience to focus on the art, the friendships, and the questions the play brings up. Production History Art was written in French for a French audience by playwright Yasmina Reza. It has been translated many times and produced in many countries since its debut in 1996. Art was performed ​on Broadway at the Royale Theater in 1998 for a run of 600 shows. It starred ​Alan Alda as Marc, ​Victor Garber as Serge, and Alfred Molina as Yvan. Content Issues: Language Dramatists Play Service holds the production rights for Art (translated by Christopher Hampton). Inquiries for producing the play may be made through the website.

Capital Punishment Is A Penalty For All Crimes - 1939 Words

Capital punishment has been occurring since the earliest of the ages and has been performed numerous times around the globe by all differently opinionated people. Last year only, 256 citizens have been executed by the hand of law and only more to be uncovered. Capital punishment was part of culture in Babylon where it coded the penalty for exactly twenty-five crimes, Athens where death was suitable for all crimes, and Rome. Since the olden ages, humans are still holding crimes against other people applicable by death. But now, as humanity grows and our minds expand to new ideas and thinking, we have come to the conclusion: As humans, do we really have the right to take away another soul’s life and living? So, as capital punishment makes†¦show more content†¦Capital punishment assesses the perseverance of humanity and its morals. Because, the question is, is the federal government allowed to murder such souls though tainted? But, the question is more, do these victims â€Å"deserve† the cruelty of death? Expressing one’s violence does not suppress it, in fact, it simply enforces the desire to express it. Controlling and demonstrating emotions in such a way that contaminates the good will in humans that is able to understand sentiment. As stated by Thurgood Marshall, the late Justice of the Supreme Court, in in a June 29, 1972 Furman v. Georgia, â€Å"In judging whether or not a given penalty is morally acceptable, most courts have said that the punishment is valid unless it shocks the conscience and sense of justice of the people. Assuming knowledge of all the facts presently available regarding capital punishment, the average citizen would, in my opinion, find it shocking to his conscience and sense of justice. For this reason alone, capital punishment cannot stand. Thinking rationally, while inputting variables into the equation of the justice of capital punishment, you could assume, depending on your variables, that capital p unishment might be of a formidable use. But thinking with your soul is much different. A â€Å"gut-decision†, you may call it. But, why would a functioning being, with a valid reason, chose to voluntarily murder a soul, another one, similar to yours? The government is a social

Comprehensive Professional Portfolio

Question: How does politics and regulation affect you as an accountant or in your future accounting role. Answer: Contextual appreciation and awareness of assumptions Politics and regulation affect largely as an accounting and accounting role at the same time (Shim, Siegel and Shim 2012). Theoretical positions This particular section explains theories of regulation and application as accounting standard-setting process by an accountant. The main goal is to set extend theories based upon empirical work for the same (Williams 2012). As far as economic theories of regulation, it envisages regulators in case of making direct political appointments for decision-making process. It affects allocation of wealth of producers as well as associated customers. Accounting is the collecting as well as analyzing and communicating economic information. It requires developing broader understanding of accounting as well as central role in society from social perspective (Shim, Siegel and Shim 2012). Conceptual framework covers main points like: The main objectives of financial statements as well as reporting It establishes and analyzing qualitative characteristics of financial information It defines elements in financial statements It recognizes as well as measurement of elements Conceptual Framework is an expensive process for setting right direction for some kind of knowledge base as well as reduced loopholes (Whittington and Delaney 2011). Users Role Strategy Analysis Portfolio Manager Versus Analysts Generalist Versus Specialist Domestic Versus Multinational Growth Versus Value Long Versus Short Buy Versus Hold Versus Trading Macro Versus Fundamental Equity Versus Debt Cost Versus Fair Value Roll forward Versus Narrative Quarters Versus Years More Versus Less Aggregation Auditors Role Strategy Analysis Principles Versus Rule-based Materiality Versus Expedient Preparers Role Strategy Analysis Public Versus Private Complex Versus Simple Large Versus Small Domestic Versus Multinational Financial Versus Non-Financial Challenges Accountants face various challenges in tackling the political and regulatory environmental factors for future analysis purpose. With the advancement of new technologies, rules as well as regulation are changing at fast pace (Weygandt, Kimmel and Kieso 2013). Cost of administration rises, as there are more accountants for taking major challenges facing industry in recent world. It requires proper implications of future accounting activities as far as possible. Unqualified accountants- It is easy in creating own website as well as starting new business from home. An increased unqualified accountant poses serious threat in the accounting sector. Online technologies- New online technologies as well as mobile internet culture involves in cloud-based accounting software. It is one of the well-established services of HMRC Online. Business owners solicit the services of an accountant as well as carry many functions (Weygandt, Kimmel and Kieso 2012). Qualified accountants mainly offer expertise on tax planning as well as business advice in along with variety of skills at the same time. It is necessary in educating small as well as medium sized company as checking pitfalls of self-administered online accounting software. It anticipates as well as facilitates requirements in accessing accounting information (Whittington and Delaney 2011). Risks Risks in accounting as well as audit firms in describing audit risk model. This particular model describes responsibilities of management by an auditor in combining determination of risk. It proclaims financial statements as per material misstatement for future analysis purpose. It understands components audit risk model by an auditor in testing performance of business organization (Shim, Siegel and Shim 2012). Inherent Risk- Inherent risk is the risk that is considered in case of internal controls as well as material misstatement at the same time. Control Risk- Control risk is the risk that is misstated as accounting records of the company. It arises due to fraud as well as error. This risk prevents and detects in timely manner in way of internal control system at the end of accounting period. It is the combination of control risk as well as inherent risk as per material misstatement risk 9 (Scott 2012). Detection Risk- Detection risk is considers as a risk for audit procedures as conducted by an auditor. It is the portion of risk acting as a responsibility by an auditor (Whittington and Delaney 2011). Issues Needs improvement in the financial reporting system for accountants Requires in keeping the standard current in case of business as well as economic environment Proper attention on checking on the deficiency of standards Needs improvement on common understanding of financial statements Conducting independent standard-setting process like due process, outreach of stakeholders as well as assessing feedback in an overall manner (Deegan and Unerman 2011). Ensuring new standard as well as improvement in US GAAP like better reflect economics, reduced complexity as well as assessing costs and benefits at the same time Examples Regulators of electric utilities mainly set prices that consumers need to pay for electricity. FASB and other accounting standard-setters aim at conducting as independent standard-setters by political process (Scott 2011). In case of tough economy, availability of financing increases inherent factors like involvement of factors in and outside company control. It includes competency of company accounting issues but at the same time, accounting staff does not possess required expertise as well as expertise as per material misstatement (Madura 2012). Accountants requires in lowering detection risk by increased audit procedures for future analysis purpose. It includes increased extent of testing in the near future. It requires lowering detection risk by tolerating misstatement (Deegan and Unerman 2011). Reference Deegan, C. and Unerman, J. (2011).Financial accounting theory. Maidenhead, Berkshire: McGraw Hill Education. Madura, J. (2012).International financial management. Mason, OH: South-Western, Cengage Learning. Scott, W. (2011).Financial accounting theory. Toronto, Ont.: Pearson Canada. Shim, J., Siegel, J. and Shim, J. (2012).Financial accounting. New York: McGraw-Hill. Whittington, O. and Delaney, P. (2011).Wiley CPA Exam Review 2012, Financial Accounting and Reporting. Hoboken: Wiley.

Constructively Managing Conflicts in Organizations

Question: Discuss about the Constructively Managing Conflicts in Organizations. Answer: Element Completed for selected article 1 Completed for selected article 2 1 The citation information should be in the same format as it would be in the reference list. Use Harvard Referencing Style - leave a line BELOW the citation Tjosvold, D., Wong, A. and Yi Feng Chen, N. (2014) Constructively Managing Conflicts in Organizations,The Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, . Verma, V. (1998) Conflict Management, inProject Management Handbook. San Francisco: Josse Bass, pp. 353376. 2 What is the journal articles author viewpoint? Write a short statement of the authors viewpoint. The authors in the article Constructively Managing Conflicts in Organizations objectively explore the topic of constructive conflict management in an organization. Although making argument for constructive conflict, the author acknowledges traditional studies on inevitable and destructive conflict (Tjosvold, Wong and Yi Feng Chen 2014). In the article Conflict Management, the author objectively addresses the topic of conflict in project management. The author starts by giving an overview of traditional perspective of conflict where it was viewed as negative and bad. The author then gravitates to the newest perspective where researchers have seen it as necessary in increasing performance (Verma 1998, p. 353). 3 What is the article about? Write a short summary of the theory, research findings and/or argument. The article is about developing constructive conflict management mechanisms in an organization. The authors note that conflict has pervaded many organizations and the use of an elegant constructive conflict management model can help end conflicts. The article recommends open-minded discussions as the foundation of constructive conflict resolution. The authors observe that participants in constructive conflict can express diverse ideas while considering and understanding each others opinions. The article postulates various arguments among them mutually beneficial relationships as the drivers that help managers and their employees to share their ideas in an open minded manner (Tjosvold, Wong and Yi Feng Chen 2014). The authors delve into the idea of constructive conflict noting that conflict does not always have to be destructive. The author explores the issue of conflict in project management noting that it is as inevitable as change. The author observes that when team members interact in the course of project execution, conflict is bound to occur. It is therefore prudent as the author suggests, that project managers analyse, identify, and evaluate negative and positive aspects of conflict and their effect they have on performance (Verma1998, p. 353). 4 What are the strengths and limitations of this journal article? Write a comment on the usefulness and/or limitations of the text for your topic The article succeeds in defining conflict and in postulating the idea of constructive conflict. Although many studies have attributed conflict to opposing forces, the article observes that people or circumstances without opposing can still conflict. The article also brings out the idea of constructive conflict noting that maximum benefits can be realized out of a conflict when the issues are discussed skilfully and openly. The article however seems to focus more on interpersonal conflict at the expense of intrapersonal conflict. Intrapersonal conflict is where there is incompatibility within an individual and this has been overlooked in the article (Tjosvold, Wong and Yi Feng Chen 2014). The author does well in exploring the nature of conflicts in projects. Apart from highlighting possible causes of conflict in project management, the author goes ahead to recommend a strategy for conflict resolution. The author recommends a win-win approach as one of the most effect conflict resolution strategy since parties know they have to reach an amicable solution that is satisfying to everyone. Although the article does well in highlighting the views of conflict from past scholars, it fails to talk about intrapersonal conflict as it focuses more on interpersonal conflict (Verma1998, p. 353). 5 What is the value or contribution of this journal article on the topic being researched? Write an evaluative comment on the work, taking into account how this work will fit into your research on your topic. The article has contributed immensely to the topic of conflict management in an organization. While borrowing from past research, the article explores the concepts of constructive conflicts, open-minded discussions in conflict resolutions, as well as mutually beneficial relationships as foundation of conflict resolutions. The article uses studies carried out on the dynamics of open-minded discussions to propose skills that employees and managers should have to manage conflicts constructively. All these have greatly enriched the field of conflict management (Tjosvold, Wong and Yi Feng Chen 2014). This article contributes richly to the concept of conflict and especially conflict management in projects. Delving more into the topic of conflict in projects, the author introduces a new concept of conflict stimulation which the article notes can help improve performance. The ideas in this article can be beneficial to any person undertaking any project (Verma1998, p. 353). Contrast and comparison between the two articles Questions to consider Complete for your selected articles 1 What are the similarities between the arguments presented by each author about the topic? The two articles presents quite similar concept in conflict management. Both articles note that conflict does not always to be destructive. The authors agree that unlike traditional perspective of conflict, newest perspective looks at conflict as one that can increase performance. The two articles are in agreement that managers and employees should know when to use conflict to increase performance of team members. This they termed as constructive conflict. The two articles also failed to bring the argument of intrapersonal conflict as they focussed more on interpersonal conflict. 2 What are the differences between the arguments presented by each author about the topic? The two articles follow different arguments although on the same topic of conflict. The first articles focussed more on the benefits of constructive conflict in an organization while the latter postulated the concept of conflict management in projects. The two articles also differ in the choice of conflict resolution strategies. While the first article recommends open-minded discussions as the effective method, the latter article notes that conflict resolution strategy is determined by several factors. It however proposes a compromised methodology there the parties think win-win. 3 How do the conclusions drawn by each author differ? The first article concludes by reiterating the importance of open-minded discussion as a means of constructive conflict resolution while the latter articles concludes by summarizing a range of conflict resolution strategies in project management. 4 Which author provides the stronger or more robust argument and why? The first article seems to provide stronger arguments on the topic of conflict management. The author before delving more into the concept of constructive conflict begins by exploring several studies which have traditional described conflict as always negative. The reader is drawn attention to the fact that conflict does always have to be bad. When the author therefore introduces the concept of constructive conflict, the reader is objective and can understand the new concept (Verma1998, p. 353). 5 Having compared and contrasted the two journal articles, what questions do you now have about the topic? What else do you want to know about the topic? The idea of constructive conflict is quite interesting. I would like to know more about constructive conflict and what other ways apart from open-minded discussions can constructive conflict be realized. References List Verma, V. (1998) Conflict Management, inProject Management Handbook. San Francisco: Josse Bass, pp. 353376. Tjosvold, D., Wong, A. and Yi Feng Chen, N. (2014) Constructively Managing Conflicts in Organizations,The Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, .