Video Review

African Art
1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I chose this video because African art interests me a great deal, as does African culture.  It is one of my dreams to travel there one day. 
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
-art is a part of daily life in African culture (ritual masks, tools, utensils, clothing, etc.)
-rituals included art works and preformances for different purposes including wishing for successful hunts
-African art is conceptual; comes from the artist's mind
-African art differs according to which tribe/location you are looking at
-crafts were important to all African cultures
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
This video went into much more depth than the book did about African art.  Instead of just a few pages, it was like having an entire chapter dedicated to this areas art, which is important because it differs greatly depending on where and what African tribe you are dealing with.
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
I liked how this video reiterated some of the information from the text.  IT really emphasized the importance of crafts not just in one or most African tribes, but in all of them  I think that is important.  We were also to see more about the rituals that we read about in the text, which obviously meant a great deal to these cultures since everyday life was centered around them.

Buddhism
1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above.I chose this video because I am going to Thailand in January and I think that having a better understanding of Buddhism or even a basic understanding will help me appreciate more of the culture while I am there.
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
-symbolism is often used in Buddhist art
-architecture is an important form of art in the form of temples and shrines
-Buddhist shrines can be found in NY, not just in the far east
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
This video related to the text in that it not only gave some history and background on Buddhism, but it built on that and explored the different types of art that are important to this religion and culture.  I like that the video brought in Buddhism in New York and the US in general because in recent years there has been a substantial movement to Buddhism here.
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
I think that not only did this video add to the depth and understanding from the class, but it will add to my future experiences when I visit and see shrines first hand.  I will be able to recognize and appreciate the symbolism and understand the idea of "tanha" that is behind all of their art somewhere.

Hinduism
1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I do not know much about Hinduism and I feel like it is commonly mistaken with other eastern religions so I would like to learn more about it.
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
-heavy symbolism use
-many Gods are recognized in artwork and in prayer
-artwork is intricate and decorative
-ancient Hindu temples and shrines still exist today
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
This video relates to the text in alot of ways.  Hindu artwork is a perfect example of the spiritual realm in art, because Hinduism is such a spiritual religion.
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
Learning about a religion and culture that is new doesn't only add understanding and perspective to what I know from the text but it adds to how one can tolerate and understand other cultures in life.  I think that this video about Hinduism would be a great way for art to be used to explain aspects of a culture.

The Great Wave
1. Explain why you selected each of the FOUR videos you choose from the selection listed above.
I chose this video because I enjoy Japanese art and have noticed the prevalence of waves in this culture's art and wonder if it stemmed from this one iconic piece, or if this piece was created because waves were commonly used.
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.
 -The Great Wave is the most iconic piece of Japanese art
-it utilizes the "hanging world" technique
-some interpret this piece as a symbolic self portrait of the artist and his morals
-although this image can be seen on t-shirts and coffee cups, only a few of the historical prints exist
2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
I think that this video goes a lot with the chapter in which we learned about iconography, because of the different interpretations of this iconic image.  Before watching the video I would have found it very difficult to believe that one could interpret this image as a self portrait of the artist, but now I understand how through symbolism this is a valid thought.
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
This video made me think a lot about other famous images that have become very popular such as the legendary photograph of the kissing couple during WW2.   I think that like that photograph, The Great Wave has lost a lot of it's value with the popularity of it. People stop looking into the piece deeply and only see the surface just like how I had no idea this piece was so symbolic even though I had actually seen it before.