Module 8

1. Explain why you selected the video you choose from the selection listed above.

I just like Gothic Architecture. I've always found it very beautiful and interesting. Some of the lines remind me of bat wings.

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

How Art Made the World 

These "Venus" sculptures can be found ll over the body, made by different cultures... all depicting the female form. What is interesting is that all of the cultures created the bodies with dramatically large breast and big round hips. The video analyzes why this is. They connect the findings to the findings of a research project done with seagulls. Basically, the scientists study how baby chicks react to the beak of its mother with a single stripe verse a fake beak with multiple stripes. What they find is that the chicks go crazy over the fake beak. The analogy here is that these ancient cultures are hardwired just like the chicks. They created these forms with over dramatized features that were valued in their culture and saw them as the most beautiful.    

Late Gothic Art and Architecture
During this time we start to see people having more things and having more comfort. People have things that aren't just religious; We see portraits of regular people and simply beautiful things. However, the church structure is still very grand. Stained glass during this time I found very beautiful and ornate. I thought it was interesting too that they said in the video that a lot of what we consider English art from this time, was actually imported. Books are also a part of this time. Very ornate printed books were sometimes even painted. The concept of printing books was new for the time. 

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

The first video relates to the ancient Mediterranean worlds portion of the reading. The Venuses were all create by ancient cultures and it analyzes why there is this similar dramatization of the female form. The second video I chose about Gothic Art relates to the formation of Europe and Christianity. Gothic art was particularly grand when it came to churches and it originated in England.

4. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
The first video I had seen before, but it's still an interesting piece. I re-watched a lot of it actually. The second video was decent. A little dry in areas, but not horrible. It added depth to the reading by explaining a little more in detail England during this time and Gothic Art.