Week 9 Video Blog

The Mind of the Renaissance
I chose this video to learn more about da Vinci. Complete artists as the video explains, are artists that can move from one discipline to another such as art to music. His quick thoughts often led him to examine the philosophical aspects than the technical aspects. At the age of 20 Leonardo was accepted into the Painters Guild.

The Power of Art: Caravaggio
Caravaggio was quite a different type of Rome than the typical stereotype. This part of Rome was more of slum area where soldiers, artists, and merchants tried to make ends meet. These individuals lived day to day doing whatever possible to stay alive. They lived by the motto, “without hope without fear.” I chose this video to see what Caravaggio was.

La Primavera
This video explained the many different elements that were used in this work of art. He used many different types of flowers in his work which don’t align to one particular season. There are so many different flowers in this work that one individual has set out to try to prove meaning to each of them. I find this almost an impossible task as there is no way to really understand what the artist was trying to say.

The Nightwatch
What I learned in this video is that over time parts of this painting were lost. These areas of loss were around the edges. Because of this the painting has lost some of its power and meaning. Over time the painting has darkened due to the varnish. Even the name Nightwatch was given much later than the actual composition.

Each of the videos further expand ideas that were talked about in the text. La Primavera and The Nightwatch are very thorough videos that really get in depth about each of the two works of art. I also learned how the changing of art over time due to discoloration and even physical damange can be a large impact on how the work is interpreted. I thought that each of the videos I watched were very good and really expanded on the textbook readings.

Week 9 - Exploring Line

I thought that using my hand for subject matter for this drawing was an interesting idea. I don’t think I would have ever thought to try this. I selected a pencil because I thought that the charcoal would be harder to work with and that I might have smeared it since operating with my non dominant hand in this type of process is foreign to me. I do not feel that I have much of an artistic ability when it comes to drawing or creating art in general but I was interested in how different drawing with my non dominant hand felt. I try to use my non dominant hand for daily activities just to be used to it. I think with some practice I could get a better grasp of this skill.

Week 8 Video Blog

From the More Human than Human video explained how our hunter and gathering ancestors had a natural stimulation to parts of the body that they deemed most important. The work shown of the woman had no distinct face but her womanly parts were over exaggerated. These artists created works that showed what was most important to them including women and animals. This relates to the text because we read that the artists represented many animals in most of their art because they drove survival of humans.


Late Gothic Art and Architecture

In this video I learned that like gothic architecture the flying buttresses and such were integral pieces to sustain structural stability. In the Gothic churches the same concept applied but to the works of art that filled the inside of the church. There were representations of saints that were supposed to bring upon good luck finding an item lost, or a saint that would protect over safe travels. The video also explained how churches were focal points of societies, where people would come from any distance to take part in the service and gathering of parishioners. I chose this because my favorite time period is the late gothic period.

A World Inscribed: The Illuminated Manuscript

This video showed how during ancient times every book that was created was by hand. A single individual would spend countless hours transcribing a work or idea into a book. These individuals were the first publishers. An individual would devote his entire life to being a scribe. In the time it took to master this art the printing press was invented which was able to replace this profession. We have already read about how the printing press was able to produce books and documents without errors and in a much more efficient manner. I chose this video because of the title. Manuscripts were created by individuals and were one of a kind. Being able to handwrite a book with minimal errors is quite a task.

Beyond the Classical: Byzantine and Later Greek Art

The ideas of classical art were developed thousands of years before during the Renaissance. During the 19th century architects looked back at ideas and designs of classical Greece to develop what we know as the modern world. Of all created works architecture as some of the biggest impacts. The Renaissance was a rediscovery of Greek art. Just about every modern city has elements of Greek architecture. Usually banks and public buildings show these characteristics.

Each of the videos that I watched touched on many of the ideas that were discussed in chapters 14 and 15 as well as others chapters we have already read. Each of these videos furthered understanding of the chapter and proved to be good supporting material for the assigned reading.

Week 7 Video Reviews

Prairie Style


Wright talked about his houses being “organic.” His idea was that his houses should look like it they grew out of nature. It was also evident that these historic builds take every measure during renovations to keep the naturalistic ideas that were originally intended. During the renovations over 10,000 sq. ft. of cedar was replaced. Keeping in line with the green architecture the book touched on. Wright’s layout allowed the rooms to flow together as well as his use of picture windows to act as the joining force between outside and inside.

The Science of Design

I find it to be truly amazing the amount of work required to design a structure in terms of integrity, especially skyscrapers that the video talks about. I was not aware that there was an international regulation based on how far a building can sway in 8 seconds. If the force on the building it too great the inhabitants can be subject to motion sickness, the elevators can shut down, or even structural damage may occur.

Classical Architecture

This video explained that nations use buildings to represent their level of power and success to the rest of the world. The Queen’s house was an example of this idea. Her house was built to be perfectly square. The video also touched on the idea that the human body was the measure of all things. The body’s ratios and symmetries were displayed in Vitruvian Man by da Vinci. His drawing showed how the human body held similarities to design elements of square and circular shape.

Last Call for Planet Earth

I thought that it was an astonishing task for an architect to design a train station that was completely energy free. Only after countless hours of research could he have come up with that type of design. I think it is farfetched to accept this as a reality for every structure but with zero pollution it is a great start to changing the way we treat the environment.

The Prairie Style video was relational to the chapter because the author discussed about taking into consideration what building materials would be best fitting to a project. Each of Wright’s designs demonstrated a use of the nature that surrounded them. He also used a lot of wood flooring which also touches on the green architecture. The Classical Architecture video led us even more in depth than book’s examples. The Romans and Greeks designed the basic model for all construction. Our replications of it, to represent nation capitals and palaces for royalty are built this way because it shows power and domination. During the restoration of the Wright house all cedar was replaced and because it was a renewable resource it followed a green model.

The films were each very good as they added a further level of understanding to what the book talked about. I feel that between the videos and the book we got to see many examples for each of the main points discussed this week. I chose the “Last Call for Planet Earth” video because of the word sustainable. A recent trip to Disney in Florida taught me that we as humans can develop self-sustaining environments with the proper research. This idea will ultimately need to take off if we really want to make drastic change in how architecture is designed.

Video Review

Through the Eyes of the Sculptor

I learned from this video that the sculptor had to touch up the leaves of the building because over time they got built up with grime from the weather.  It is true skill that the individuals making the restorations have to freehand everything. This relates to the text reading of the carving section on page 243. It was great to see the videos show an artist at work and how they make the skill seem so easy.

Glass and Ceramics

The glass section of the book explains how glass is heated to become molten allowing it to be shaped into almost any form. In the video it is interesting to actually see the glass blower at work in this craft. He can use many different tools to shape the glass which the text doesn’t really make as clear. I wasn’t aware that there was a butane version of glass sculpting as well. Glass even has the capability of being engraved. I really liked this video as I am fascinated with the art of glass blowing. I would like to try this at some point in my life.  I always have a tendency to understand something better if I see in action and this video did exactly that.

Installation Art

Even the design of installations requires taking into effect each of the elements and principles of art. Even in the spots sculpture there are repeating shapes however different sizes which move the viewer’s eyes and even bodies through the exhibit. Examples are the best way that I can dissect a process. This video did a good job of showing the many possibilities are for installation art. From anything like a  shovel to an arrary of plexiglass pieces.

Week 6 Peer Review

I posted comments for both Chris Wolf and Monica White's blogs. Both individuals found images that expressed each of the elements and principles of art. Most of the images chosen do include other elements as it is the combination of these elements that are required for masterful art.

I noticed in Monica's first image the view of a rocky beach and an embankment. I made a connection to almost a replicate of the view from my backyard. The hues of blues and murkiness of the water with the rocky beach made me really think this was "too close to home." A few images later and her example for line I saw something I truly recognized, the Toronto skyline. I almost selected the same image(colors, birds flying, clear day) for my example. Small world and amazing recognizable even in a distance learning class!

It seems like that either Chris or someone very close to him enjoys the outdoors and has traveled far from this area. Did the photographer take a ride in that helicopter? I also respected the fact he was involved with the CBP as I have a few friends that are Border Patrol Agents as well.

I think that these blogs are great because people seem to be honest with all of their comments without putting the creator down. I also find that is enjoyable to check out the others work with no sense of judgment in this type of class.  I'm glad that others enjoyed my work by them posting their comments! Each of the images were very special to me and I am glad that someone else was able to enjoy them!