Week Ten Video Review

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

I chose the Buddhism and Hinduism videos, because I am very interested in the principles of Buddhism and non-Western religions. I also chose the Chinese Art video and the Great Wave video, because I am fascinated by Japanese wood carvings and the delicacy of Chinese art and its relationship to nature.

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

Buddhism

-Buddhism was founded in India.

-The key to Buddhist teachings is the elimination of all desires and all things, like material possessions for example, that feed the ego and obstructs enlightenment.

-After Buddha’s death, Buddhism split into two groups known as hinayana and Mahayana. During and after the Golden Age of Buddha, Buddhist art and architecture flourished across India.

-Sanchi is a center of Buddhist art and architecture. Within the ornate carvings of the Great Stupa, Buddha disappears into symbolism and is represented only by the Bodhi Tree.

-Around the Great Stupa is a walkway where every step is a discovery of Buddhist art and architecture. As the pilgrim walks clockwise around the Stupa, he lets go of material things for the attainment of virture.

-In the central highlands of Java, lotus-shaped Borobudur stands as the largest Buddhist shrine in the world. At the top of the monument stand 432 Buddha statues.

-Buried by the volcanic debris and vegetation, Borobudur is uncovered in 1815.

-A religion that began by repudiating rituals, questions, prayer, and the idea of a personal god, ends up embracing all of these things.

-In India, Buddhism and Hinduism share commonalities.

-Religious monuments are truly “Heaven on Earth.”

Hinduism

-Varanasi is the holiest city in India and Hinduism

-The Ganges river is the symbol of life, death, and rebirth.

-Hinduism’s gods and goddesses function in a way similar to Christian saints by providing access to Brahma

-Hindu architecture is heavily decorated with sculptures of gods

-In Mamallapuram, India, the Ganges turns to stone which is a highly decorated and holy place. Several figures are carved within the stone there.

-The shrines in Mamallapuram are lavishly decorated and carved from single boulders. The Shore Temple holds a lot of Hindu art and displays Hindu architecture. It was excavated from the Bay of Bengal.

-The Kandariya Mahadev Temple, in Khajuraho, India, was built in the ninth century by the Chandella rules.

-It has lavishly carved panels that are covered in erotic images. The Hindus pay homage to the lingam/phallus for its life-giving and creative forces.

-The source of all life for Hindus is Brahma/God- the Great Breath. Hinduism teaches that there are many ways to God and these ways are symbolized by many gods.

-Hinduism carries within it a deep sense of spiritual in the ordinary and the everyday.

Chinese Art

-A lot of pottery was created for Imperial use and was highly decorated.

-Rich glazes and an enameling process called doucai were used during the Zhou dynasty

-People used black glazed bowls to complement the fairness of the tea.

-Imagery and symbolism derived mostly from nature.

-Had some painted pottery vessels that look prehistoric.

-Dragon motifs used on a perfumer and a leaf motif used on a handle to a vase.

-A lot of bronze use and blue porcelain.

-Fruit stone carvings are so small and delicate.

-Painted enamels derived from the West and became widely used on teapots and other pottery.

-Bamboo screens were common and held elaborate pieces of artwork telling narratives.

-Use of Buddhism imagery and symbolism.

-Calligraphy was an important art form.

The Great Wave

-Hokusai’s The Great Wave is probably the best known image of Japanese art in the Western world today and yet prints were selling in the 19^th century.

-The print was designed to be a throw away piece of art, but became an icon for Japanese art.

-Hokusai is apprenticed to a well-known artist and becomes a professional print designer. He learns how to cut wood blocks.  

-Many westerners see the painting as a symbol of implacable nature. To the Japanese, the image is one of courage and perseverance. Critics agree that the wave is not a tsunami.

-Hokusai spent most of his time working with a distinct tradition of Japanese art called the floating world style. He is influence by the sensual indulgences and eroticism of Shiba Kokan’s works, which are, in turn, influenced by Western art.

-Waves come and go throughout Hokusai’s work, even when the mountain is the primary subject.

-At age 70, Hokusai creates “36 Views of Mt. Fuji” to see to tourists and religious buyers.

-He includes everyday activities in the series and critics argue that the wave is a self-portrait of the other artist who has a strong strain of mortality. With The Great Wave, Hokusai introduces Prussian blue, a pigment that won’t fade.

-Hokusai’s The Great Wave is based on his structural theories of geometry. It consists of circles and triangles in a back to front arrangement influence by Western art.

-The title in the cartouche is translated many ways, but no one knows its exact meanings. People speculate about the geographical location, the types of boats, and the purpose of the oarsmen.

-Once it is finished, The Great Wave is a bestseller. Only a few of the highest quality historical prints exits. Hokusai’s wave painting is a perfect example of fractals, as the images repeat themselves at ever decreasing scales.

-Four years after Hokusai’s famous painting was published, a major earthquake strikes Mt. Fuji. Hokusai’s wave design is adapted in illustrations of the mountain.

-After Matthew Perry opens up Japan to the world, all things Japonaise become international. Other artists become influence by Japanese art. After WWI, Japan’s art loses favor. In WWII, it becomes associated with Japan’s aggression.

-In the 1960’s, a new generation of artists become excited by pop culture. Artists take ideas from Hokusai and reinterpret his vision. Today, the painting is viewed as a moral tale- a way to look inward and view oneself.

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

The Hinduism and Buddhism videos really convey the main teachings of the various religions and the lifestyles that accompany them. They also show the architectural and temple aspect of the two religions. There is so much history attached to each religion. In the Chinese art video, we can see the relation between functional objects, decorative objects, and the natural motifs and elements incorporated into those things.

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

I really liked the films. It’s so interesting to learn about different religions and their art. The various teachings set up a moral and ethical history for humans. I think my favorite is the Buddhism video. I really liked how Buddha’s main goal was to share his enlightenment with others and not necessarily gathering people to join the monastic order or follow a set religion. He just wanted to share his teachings with others to help them live better. The Chinese Art video was kind of slow and was just different viewings of pieces. I wish they would have maybe picked a few different pieces and went further into the history of each objects and Chinese process of making the piece, or how it was used for their culture at the time.