Module 10 // Video Review

1. Explain why you selected the 2 videos you chose from the selection listed above.

I chose the video on Buddhism because the Buddhist religion really interests me. I love the symbolism in Buddhism like the Lotus flower because it is very peaceful and nice. I chose the video African Art: Legacy of Oppression as well because African art is very small and neat and abstract. I find it interesting because it represents a time I am not to knowledgeable on. 

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

Buddhism:

• Bodhi tree (pipal tree)
• Enlightenment
• Buddhists art & architecture includes stupas, stone, stone umbrellas, buildings.
• 14th century is when Sanchi was discovered.
• 4 gateways of Buddha's life
• South gateway has a wheel of law that is worshiped by devotees (ex. monks & pilgrims)
• Each gateway is built with square posts, crowned with lion, elephant, and pot-belly dwarf sculptures.
• Pilgrims can be infatuated with the art, but call Him for mindfulness.
• The balustrade (walkway) used wood techniques in stone.
• Stupas were carved with serious of medallions.
• Stupa umbrellas represents the 3 level of Nirvana, Buddhist heaven
• Largest Buddhist shrine is called the Borobudur in Java, Indonesia
•  Borobudur is a stepped pyramid in the shape of a Lotus and took 100 years to make.
• Lasted 30 years of pilgrimage until volcano exploded
• Chuang Yen Monostary is in Carmel, upstate New York
• Kuan Yin hall was built in the architect style in 1985
• Centerpiece is a large Buddhist sculpture at 6 ft. tall and is made of ceramic
• Simplicity architecture by than Tang Dynasty
• Glulam structure, structure that allows buildings to have no ceiling pillars & no structure, made of layers of timber glued together
• Surrounding is 10,000 small Buddhist sculptures.

African Art: Legacy of Oppression:

• Yombe masks worn by priests with the spirits of the dead whose colors were white.
• West African art is more abstract
• Not a lot of naturalistic art is found in African.
• The signs of the art can be read by the people of their society.
• Magical dead pieces of art which contain containers for magical potions
• Masks represent certain things-- the half black & half white mask represents the black side being ill and the white side being pure and healthy.
• A mask scared male kids to adulthood, making them respect their elders.
• Boa culture masks were made to intimidate people in battle.
• The Boa stopped creating the masks when they realized the magic didn't work, since their people were being shock and killed by Western people and their guns.
• Belgium massacre in 1880 -- the slaves created a lot of art.
• Ivory (elephant tusks) were used a lot to make sculptures and pieces of art.

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

The videos relate with the readings in the text because both the text and videos talk about the relation of art and religion. People use their religion in art a lot now and in history. The text goes into detail on the Buddhist religion and the art that comes along with it. The videos expand my knowledge on both the religion concept and the art concept.

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

I believe these videos were very informative and were beneficial to my understanding of art. It added depth to my understanding by showing images of certain art and going into depth of  religion and art as well as culture and art.