Module 10: Video Reviews

1.      Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.

I selected the videos “African Art: Legacy of Oppression” and “African Art” from the list because the seemed most interesting out of the selection. I also thought that these videos would be helpful in providing information and inspiration for the mask making project in this module.

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

Video 1: “African Art: Legacy of Oppression”

·         African Art has several different styles since there are so many different cultures

·         Africans did not focus on realism or naturalistic statues and masks. Many of their art objects were created unrealistically to portray ideas and concepts to the audience in order to form meaning

·         When bicycles were invented, rubber was found everywhere in Africa, and soldiers were sent to obtain rubber to meet quotas. Slaves were terribly mistreated in order to meet these quotas.

·          African culture was able to withhold the prevalence of art in their culture  regardless of the horrendous experiences they endured over the years

Video 2: “African Art”

·         Many statues, mask and other objects in museums have been previously used in rituals

·         Many artifacts were made of wood and straw, and since these materials deteriorate, they are typically not more than 200 years old in museums

·          Agricultural life spread after 7000 BC to Africa, and Egyptian ideas and artistic expression eventually spread to Africa as well

·         Great Zimbabwe contains a central feature that was most likely a royal residence. This site includes elegantly carved soap stone birds that inspired modern Zimbabwe’s national emblem.

·         African Art was relatively unknown to the Europeans until the 19^th century

·          Perceptual art is based on the artist’s observation of visual reality. Artists use perceptual reality to create life like or human like statues

·         Conceptual art differs as it flows from the artists imagination, and expresses an internal opinions or ideas rather than realistic objects

·         African Art was focused typically on making masks, home décor, or embellishing utilitarian objects. Artists’ talent was based on focusing on creating traditional works of art with more skill rather than unique pieces.

·         African Art is intertwined with magic and religion, and everything is harvested by unseen spirits. Art is supposed to represent a spirit, not another person or animal. Believed that art gave humans access to power or religious authority, through statues and masks.

·         Statues were created to be a “home” for ancestors or spirits, and the statues often included pieces of their hair, etc.

·         African sculptures are usually rigid frontal sculptures. Masks are often embellished with feathers, fur or other materials. Wearing the masks in Africa ensures that you gain power, a bountiful harvest or a successful hunt.

·         Today, these masks are often found in museums, and African artists focus on creating objects for tourists, collectors, and interior decorators.

3.      How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

These videos relate to the readings in the text because Chapter 18 has a section detailing the Arts of Africa. This section in the text discusses several different famous pieces of African Art, and the elements they contain. The videos also discuss famous masks and sculptures, and how the challenges that Africa has undergone throughout history have never prevented the creation of these works of art.

 

4.      What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?

I thought these videos were very interesting, in regards to learning about the history behind African Art. It was easier to see how African Art was created and why they chose to repeatedly create masks and sculptures with more skill as opposed to creating unique pieces of art as European artists focused on doing. I think that the videos add more depth to understanding African Art than just reading about certain sculptures/masks in the text.