MOVIE REVIEW

1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above. This week I chose the movies I viewed based on interest. I chose to watch African Art because I am very fascinated in African culture and wanted to know more about the art and the rituals behind it.  I watched the movies on Buddhism and Hinduism because I wanted to advance my knowledge about different religions. I try to incorporate Buddhist ideas into my everyday life and I don’t know much about the Hindu religion so I thought these movies would help me understand the two religions better. Finally, I chose The Great Wave (Japanese Art) because the title caught my eye and I wanted to see what it was about.

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

AFRICAN ART- This movie relates African art to the culture of Africa. The movie talks about how the art of Africa is handed down from generations. The art provides an understanding of Africa’s historical aesthetic revolution. The movie was saying that most museums only have African Art from up to 200 years ago because of the delicate and degradable materials that were used. Artistic achievement flourished in the southern countries that developed. The movie ended with a segment on Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe was a power center and the focus of a sophisticated political and economic system. Zimbabwe features many agriculture successes.

BUDDHISM- Using architecture and art, this movie examines the founding of Buddhism in India and its spread to other lands, where it has thrived. The key to Buddhism is “tanha” which is the extinguishing of all desires and all things that nourish the ego and hamper enlightenment. The movie traces the split of Buddhism into two groups known as “hinayana” and “mahanyana”. Also the movie talks about Sanchi, which is a center of Buddhist art . This center holds the symbolism that represents Buddhism.  The Mahabodhi Temple, in Bodh Gaya; the Great Stupa at Sanchi, India; the Borobudur Temple—the biggest Buddhist shrine in the world—in Indonesia; and the Chuang Yen Monastery in New York State, with its 37-foot-tall marble statue of The Enlightened One surrounded by 10,000 smaller statues, are featured in this movie.

HINDUISM- The movie provides insight into the practice of Hunduism also through the art and architecture of India. Hinduism teaches that there are many ways to get to Brahma and many gods represent these ways. Hinduism carries within it a profound sense of spiritual in the commonplace and everyday. The movie highlights carved-stone shrines such as the Krishna Mandapan, the ancient Shore Temple, and the Kandria Mahadev Temple. The movie highlights the god and goddesses of Hinduism and their function. Hindu architecture is abundant with decorative sculpture of many gods. The movie primarily focuses on the river Ganges, which is a symbol of life, death, and rebirth. This river provides a site for prayer and guidance and is a symbol of the great love of nature.

THE GREAT WAVE- the movie main focus is on Hokusai’s The Great Wave. The movie gives insight into the live and times of Hokusai. Hokusai started out as an apprentice to a artist and became a print designer. It is a temple that he was living it that is where “The Great Wave” was created. This painting is seen as a symbol of implacable Nature to Americans but to Happiness the image is about courage and perseverance. The main question is if the picture is about internal struggle or literally about nature. “The Great Wave” is become a phenomenon and has influenced many artists.

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text? These videos expand on what I have learned form reading the chapters. They provide an insight into the specific cultures we have studied. I particularly liked the movie on Buddhism because the book didn’t focus on the ideas behind the religion, just more about the art (obviously). I thought the movie was educational and inspiring. I also like The Great Wave because I have seen that print so many times but never new the true story behind it. I also think it’s fascinating that Japanese and Americans have two totally different ideas about the meaning behind this Great Wave.

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts? I thought these films were some of the more interesting films we have been assigned. I thought they provided good information in a decent amount of time. Sometimes if the movies are too long I’ll loose interest and starting skipping around the film. These were perfect lengths that held my attention. I though they added a lot of depth to the readings. I actually think if I watched these first I would have had a better understanding of the text and maybe a better response to it. I believe a visual enhances the learning experience and provides a firm foundation for increased learning.