Video Review

The Drawings of Michelangelo

1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I chose this video because Michelangelo is such an iconic person, and although I know enough about him to understand a reference to him or one of his more famous works I would like to know more about him.
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
-Michelangelo was a perfectionest
-he drafted many, many sketches before creating final copies of his work to achieve exactly the image he wanted
-Michelangelo also researched and studied before starting on works
-Michelangelo prided himself with teaching himself his own techniques of art
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
I think that this waa a good video to watch on top of the text because of the prepratory work and thumbnail sketches that it showed, because if the textbook included all of the sketches that came before the final images it shows it would easily be hundreds of pages longer.
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
This video kind of helped me to see better why we need to have practice sketches handed in alongside our final projects for this class, not only so you can see that we spent time on it, but so you can see the evolution of our work.  It also taught me why you don't have us just work blindly and we research and watch videos and do readings so we can be well informed and our resulting projects wil reach their potential.

Velazquez

1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I chose this video because I did not recognize this artist, and I came into this class with relatively no knowlegdge of artists and works that I liked so I see this as a chance to explore a new artist's works and styles and see if I prefer them.
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
-Velazquez painted things naturally, as there were and did not pose and stylize them
-emotions such as sympathy are evident in his paitings (esp. those of deformed people)
-he believed in simple religious paintings so their meanings could be simply understood
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
I liked how Velazquez's techniques differed from a lot of artists we have learned about so far, especially regarding religious paintings.  Most that we have seen so far have been so elegant and intricate and almost overwhelming, but Velazquez kept them simple which to me seems much more spiritual.
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
It is good to be reminded about artists that are and were truly individuals because sometimes for our projects I feel like I have to create something in the same guidelines that the artists featured in the text or the film followed, but Velazquez did things differently and is a renowned artist because of this.

The Night Watch

1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I chose this video based solely on the title, it really interested me because I wanted to know what it was about.  I wondered if it was actually about a night watch or a painting named The Night Watch or maybe a night watch who was also a painter.
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
Rembrandt used many elements and principles in The Night Watch including:
-light
-perspective
-movement
-composition/balance
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
This video related more to me with the chapter in which we explored the elements and principles of art, because looking at the painting The Night Watch it is very obvious how thought out Rembrandt's use of these tools was and how that planning and use led to the successfulness of this painting.
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
I will take a lot from this video, by recognizing and searching for elements and principles when looking at others' works.

The Power of Art: Caravaggio

1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I liked the title of this art and chose it because I feel that art is a very powerful thing and like to see artists use their works to say or do something and I thought that this would have that.
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
-Caravaggio painted dramatic scenes from everyday life whether or not they were what audiences wanted to see
-not only did he use models from the present day and off of the street, but he brought historical and biblical events into the present day
-the violence and chaos in Caravaggio's art came from his real life
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
Again, I liked learning more about an artist that is not focused on in the text.  I think the more artists and works I am exposed to the more of a perspective I can develop and use when I am analyzing and evaluating pieces.
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
I found myself thinking about writers in American history, such as E.A.Poe, when watching this video because his erratic life manifested in his stories, just as Caravaggio's did in his artworks.  It really made me think about where inspiration comes from.