A Song with Relative Clauses #9

Yes, it’s true. I heard a song with Relative Clauses at MONA ……. but that’s the end of the story! Let’s start at the very beginning …….

Last week, I went to Hobart, Australia for a few days with my two children, my two sisters and my husband. The occasion was to celebrate my birthday. (Don’t I have a lovely family?)

On Thursday, we caught the ferry to MONA – an acronym for Museum of Old and New Art. MONA has  one of the most controversial private collections of modern art and antiquities in the world.

Overlooking the void, MONA
http://www.prc-magazine.com

We marvelled at ancient Egyptian and medieval art as well as contemporary art.  The latter had something to appeal to all tastes. There was an obvious focus on experiencing the art and the artistic environment, not just observing them. What impressed me the most was the architecture.

Saunders & Ward’s welded steel staircase, MONA
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We felt like we had descended into the bowels of the earth and arrived at a subterranean city. There were vast heights and long, eerie, labyrinthine passages.

My son Christopher experiencing the art. Note: the room is the artwork! Detail from room installation Dots Obsession—Tasmania 2016 by Yayoi Kusama

The art was displayed in a series of rooms and upon entering we had no idea what to expect. I wandered into one room and what should I see on the wall but a video of Australian singer/songwriter Gotye singing his hit song ‘Somebody that I used to know’. I have often watched and enjoyed the same video on YouTube and couldn’t have been more surprised and delighted to see it featured in MONA. I was so glad that such a clever creation had been recognized as art. As soon as I heard the words You’re just somebody that I used to know, I thought “Relative Clause! I’m sure my English students would enjoy this!”

Today, this post is all about enjoying English with art while focusing on just one Defining Relative Clause – that I used to know – from one line – You’re just somebody that I used to know from one song. 

From the video of Gotye and Kimbra singing ‘Somebody that I used to know’

Click on the picture above to watch and listen to living art. Do you agree that it deserves to be featured in an internationally recognized art museum?

It’s almost the end of the year. You have been working and studying hard and the last thing you need is more work and grammar, so please just enjoy the video. The tune is very catchy and you will easily remember the Relative Clause in the chorus (and title) without thinking about grammar.

If you would like to check out my earlier posts on Relative Clauses, click here.

One more thing: much as I love the Gotye version, there is a cover of this song by the band Walk Off The Earth which is creative and wonderful in a completely different way. Click here to watch their version which also has helpful subtitles.

Canadian band Walk Off The Earth http://www.insidehalton.com/whatson-story/2901593-walk-off-the-earth-rock-sound-of-music/

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