1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above. The first video I was immediately drawn to was the video on Pop Art. I really like Andy Warhol work and I also think it's pretty amazing that some of his pieces are here in Buffalo. I wanted to learn more about other artist of the 50's and 60's and see if I liked their art just as much. I picked Uncertainty: Modernity and Art because I don't really understand all modern art, I don't think most people do. I was interested in the title and had hopes that the video would provide an explanation behind modern art and provide a gateway to the world of Modern art.
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
Abstract Expressionism and Pop: Art of the '50s and '60s- This movie is about abstract expressionism. Abstract Expressionism was born from a fusion of American art and European avant-garde art, but was later discarded for its nonfigurative and apparently egocentric character in favor of the phenomenon known as Pop Art. The video explores Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art through various artist and their work in this time period. Frankenthaler's work changes the way a viewer looks at a picture. His work is both feminine and magical. Abstract paintings works in the real space. Viewer travel toward the painting as it comes to meet us half way. The painting literally absorbs the viewer and invokes and immediate response. Jasper John's "Flag" makes a ordinary subject visually seductive. He uses drips and layers to make the viewer move have a personal experience with his art. Andy Warhol became known in the 1960's for his pop art work. He became an icon of the 60s and paved the way for other pop artists.
Uncertainty: Modernity and Art- This video explains that 20th century modern art communicates confusion, nervousness, and above all, uncertainty. In this movie, the works of Pablo Picasso are contrasted with the abstracts of Paul Klee and Piet Mondrian and the architecture of Le Corbusier. The movie starts with an explanation of Man and the idealized version of one's self and how modern art is the contemporary society's version of Greek idealized statues. Modern art documents the transformation of mankind. The industrial revolution was a large chain in mankind. It took separate mankind from nature and associated it with the machine. The movie explains that modern art says there is no single code for living and that uncertainty is the foundation of modern art. Modern art keeps responding to modern life, which is why it's constantly changing. The movie also explains how the Nazis tried to eliminate modern art’s uncertainties with some devastating certainties of their own. Nazi took away modern art because in the Nazi Regime, uncertainty did not exist. Mark Rothko is an artist who is feature in this film. His painting has a "looming void". The painting drags you back to something ancient, something angry. Art for Rothko is a trial. His morality sums up Modern art and its mystery. Finally, the movie shows how modern art’s relationship with modern life changed. This started with the rise of Abstract Expressionism and continued with the excitement of Pop Art.
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
These videos expanded on the final chapter of the book and really brought the course to a close. The movie about modern art brought the art world full circle for me. It explained the reason why modern art exist and why art has moved on from the idealist statues of Greek and Roman times. I thought this was really interesting and I felt like this movie served as a connector for the whole textbook.
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
I thought the films were interesting and did add depth to the understanding of the readings I did. They add depth by providing examples and exploring certain works from artist. Although we learn about Andy Warhol in the book, the movie has more time to explore him as a person and explain his paintings through a personal view.
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