Week 11 Video Reviews

1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR 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 understanding of the readings and art concepts?

Buddhism
1. I chose to watch Buddhism first because while doing the discussion forums I was really intrigued by Buddhism and couldn't wait to learn more about it.
2. Buddhism began in India. The prince had everything and one day stepped into the real world and saw suffering, wasting and death. His perfect work was crushed and a monk answered all of his questions. He craved contentment and meditated. He opened his eyes and saw the world differently. That is when Buddhism was born.  His basic message was love. Bodh Gaya is sacred to Buddhists. After Buddha died, Buddhism divided into two different groups, hinayana and mahayana. There is a monastery in Carmel, New York. There are many buildings dedicated to Buddhism. Buddhism is full of paradoxes. For instance it is flourishing in all Asian countries except one, India where it began.
3. Buddhism is discussed on page 424. The text references Gautama the prince as well as the beliefs that time is cyclical and all beings are condemned to suffer an endless series of lives. The book talks more about the artist aspects of the religion while the video talked more about the religion itself.
4. I really enjoyed the film. Buddhism really interested me after reading about it in the text so I was excited to watch this video. It added to my knowledge of the religion itself, not so much the art piece of it all. The best part was the end when it talked about how it was full of paradoxes.

Hinduism
1. I often hear of Hinduism but don't really know anything about it. I thought it would benefit me to watch these videos and gain a greater understanding of the religion.
2. Varanasi is the holiest city in India. The Ganges river is a symbol of death and reincarnation. Hinduism believes life is for millions and billions of years because of life, death and rebirth Hindus can worship anywhere. Aarti is a Hindu ceremony that means "removal of pain". Shrines are a large part of Hinduism that are carved from boulders. 9th century a temple was created. There are exotic treasure found all around the temple which made it famous. Kama Sutra is from Hindu. Brahma gave life to everyone so sex is applauded in this religion.
3. Hinduism is talked about on page 428. The text also refers to Brahma and the Kandariya Mahadeva temple.
4. Seeing the picture in the book does not do the temple justice. It was amazing to see the amount of intricate detail that went into created the decorations of that temple.

Chinese Art
1. Honestly there really wasn't any specific reason for choosing this video.  The title about treasure caught my eye.
2. A lot of art from the museum was shown in this video. The chicken bowl was interesting because you don't often see color being used that that on a cup or bowl in America. Seeing the perfumer was the first time I have ever heard of something like that. They talked about the patterning and intricate detail that went into making it. The goblet that was shown showed how the curves were included for both practical and artistic reasons. The crosses are found no a lot of early bronze works.
3. The text refers to Chinese art on page 432. It talks about the Formative period, Confucianism and Daoism  as well as Buddhism and landscape painting
4. This video was a little long and didn't keep my attention as well as the others. It got into a lot more in depth parts of Chinese art that added to my knowledge base of the subject.

African Art
1. Once again, no real reason for choosing this video. I just specifically remember reading about it in the text.
2. Hairstyles, rituals, and performances were the ways in which art was shown. Art is very important to them and they like to show it through dancing. The different concepts of African art are color, sound and movement.
3. The text refers to African Art on page 413. It refers to sculptures with the D shaped eyes, the Nok culture, the Benin culture, the Yoruba, and Dogon.
4. I never knew that Picasso was inspired by African masks and sculptures. That was really interesting to me. It also talked about the historical parts of it which the book didn't really mention. The video was okay, but nothing can beat the first video I watched, Buddhism.