1.
Explain
why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed
above.
·
I selected the two videos, African Art: Legacy of Oppression and African Art, because I wanted to have a better understanding of a
single type of art, not a general understanding of several types. African Art
was the only type of art concisely listed in the video titles. Also, I am
intrigued by the stark difference in the art of Africa verse most of the art
that we have studied thus far. Lastly, I think that I am drawn to the African art
because there is something decidedly earthly about it. I’m not sure if it is
the mediums they use or the subject matter but it seems reminiscent of nature, and
that appeals to me.
2.
For
each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
·
From the videos I learned that art in Africa was
functional. Also in contrast to European art and other art that we have learned
about African art conceptual, rather than perceptual. The first video I watched,
African Art, eluded to the reason why
African Art never seemed to evolve like the art from other areas that we have
seen. The video sited that the “goodness” of the art came from the accuracy with
which it copied previous art as opposed to being original. I was also
interested in how the African people incorporated art into their lives, in
religious ceremonies and the beliefs that they had in the power of art, especially
masks. That to them art was the embodiment of unseen spirits, not meant to
represent life but to give life to the unseen. In the second video I watched, African Art: Legacy of Oppression, there
was much reiteration from the first video and the book, but I was shocked to
learn of the cruelty and abuse that the African people faced. I was horrified
to see the images of the one handed children, and it is heart breaking to think
of the devastation that was cast upon them. To add insult to injury the fact
that their magic and spirits that worked to protect them in nature and squire
them through the changes of life, were rendered useless in the face of the
cruel white men that enslaved them, is sad beyond words.
3.
How
do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
·
I was surprised by how much detail the text went
into about the history of government and trade. The book also discussed the masks
of African artist length. The videos about African art were much more in depth
about the belief, the rational, and the art itself. Both mediums played into
the concept of magic and belief about African art holding value to the African’s
that superseded that of art in the way it is typically assigned.
4.
What
is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the
readings and art concepts?
·
I thoroughly appreciated the films that I chose
this week, and the way that they added dimension to the readings. I think that it is interesting that our
culture still aligns so singularly with the heritage and art of our European ancestry.
It was fascinating to see how totally art
was embodied by every aspect of the African way of life. It also seemed as
though because the written word was scarce much of African history that has
been discerned has been so through the fining and interpretation of the art
found there. I also thought that the videos were instrumental in explaining the
variety of ways that art was used and illustrating its importance.
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