Module 10 Blog Questions

1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.

2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to the understanding of the readings and art concepts?

1)         The two videos I’ve chosen were African Art: Legacy of Oppression and Buddhism. The reasoning behind these selections came as a result of having a curiously of such cultures. Although significantly different, each culture has similarities when it comes to their creative process and connection to the supernatural.  

2)         From the African Art: Legacy of Oppression I learned that African art is very naturalistic, simple yet dramatic, and startling and exaggerating. Additionally, central African art focused on magical aspects behind their work. This included the creation of masks which often provoked fear to its audience to send certain messages on how to treat others. Buddhism demonstrated several concepts about eastern spirituality – in that Buddhism is seen as a religion that leads more to spiritualism rather than religious teachings. Founded by Buddha, one must achieve their own spiritual awakening, or nirvana, through meditation and ethical living.

3)         Both videos do not relate to anything within our text because neither cultural idea was mentioned in the book. However, I do appreciate how the videos convey ideas that are new to art, outside of that we’ve learned in the text.

4)         These video add a vivid understanding to art in cultures outside of North America. I realized how each part of the world interpret their arts differently with different meanings and ideologies.

Module 9: Art Making/Material Exploration Drawings

1. What was it like using your hand as subject matter for a drawing?

2. What media did you select - pencil or charcoal? Why?

3. How did it feel to create a drawing with your non-dominant hand?

4. Compare and contrast your final drawings. Do you think they are successful studies?

5. Would you consider using your non-dominant hand to create artwork in the future?

1)         Using my actual hand as a subject for my drawing was very new and exciting for me. Since I was in extremely close contact with the subject, I was able to be more attentive to the small details of my hand including the symmetry, palms, and depth.

2)         I decided to go with a pencil because this is the media that I felt most confident using. The pencil allowed me to erase any potential mistakes I made along the way and it conveyed the look/texture is was going for.

3)         Using my non-dominant hand was extremely challenging in terms of drawing. It literally forced me to get out of my artistic comfort zone all while building the confidence in using my non-dominant for drawing in the future. Although my non-dominant hand drawing came out completely different (and less desirable), I was still able to execute the drawing in a decent way.

4)         When comparing the two drawings, I’d infer that they are very close but no cigar. Although they appear visually different from each other, the effort put fourth to create them was very exciting and challenging.

5)         Yes! Using my non-dominant hand was a challenge that I needed to face sooner or later and it couldn’t have come at a better moment. It gave me the confidence to believe that I can further my artistic endeavors using my right hand (non-dominant hand) from now on.

Module 9 Post

1)         The reason why I chose The Power of Art: Caravaggio and The Drawings of Michelangelo to review was because they both emphasized the level of skill and passion that both Italian artists had in their works. I was always interested in Italian cultural artworks, so these videos really opened my mind to this world.

2)         The Power of Art: Caravaggio Key Concepts Learned:

-Most of his drawings were shrouded in mystery.

-He never wanted them to be seen publicly and destroyed many hundreds shortly before his death.

-He was somewhat obsessed with the perfect body expressed in today’s mass adoration of footballers, athletes or gymnasts.

 The Drawings of Michelangelo Key Concepts Learned:

- His approach to painting was very unconventional.

- He avoided the standard method of making copies of old sculptures and instead took the more direct approach of painting directly onto the canvas without drawing first.

-He often used people from the street as his models and his dramatic painting was enhanced with intense and theatrical lighting.

3)         These videos relate to the text because they emphasize in great detail the story behind these iconic artists. Whereas, the text mainly touches on their works as artists. It feels good to know them as people in contrast to their work. Also, both the text and videos highlight their creative process when making their drawings/sculptures. This includes their creative process and tools used etc.

4)         The films further add to my understanding of the observation process of creating art and how both Michelangelo and Caravaggio’s works of painting, sculpture, and architecture rank among the most famous in existence.