Module 10: Video Reviews

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

I watched African Art: Legacy of Oppression and Buddhism. I chose to watch both of these videos because I wanted to learn more about both African Art and Buddhism.

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

African Art: Legacy of Oppression begins by showing imagery of a travelling exhibit of African art from the collection of the Tervuren Museum in Belgium. The video discusses the huge range in African art styles, as there were over 250 different cultures that resided there. However, the African art that influenced Western Cultures was more abstract and emotionally driven; specifically on the early masters of early Modernism, such as Picasso. These masters used this inspiration to help learn how to convey emotion within their work. The video then discusses the violent Belgian massacre of the Congo in the late 1800's. King Leopold II took over this area and enslaved its people to collect rubber and ivory. African art and even its people were seen as exotic curiosities, and were brought back to be placed on exhibit. In turn, these exhibits did have a monumental impact on Western art, however, it was at the cost of many innocent lives.

Buddhism discusses the beginnings of the religion and the beliefs Buddah discovered to created the religion. Buddah achieved enlightenment and worked to bring his followers into it as well. This was called "The Middle Way" and often referred to the right path of living. After Buddah died, its followers were split in two; and his death was seen as the end of the golden age, however, it was the beginning of an incredible flowering of art and architecture. The video discusses The Great Stupa at Sanchi which is explained as the finest example of monumental architecture and narrative art. The stones are all carved about Buddah's story with representational symbolism. The video also examines Borobudur in Indonesia, which is the largest Buddhist shrine in the world, which is also in the shape of a lotus; the sacred flower of Buddah. When a visitor climbs the summit, they must pass through carvings of all the temptations of the world, and once they reach the top, they have reached enlightenment. It took almost 100 years to build, spent 30 as a place of pilgrimage, and then was buried in a volcanic eruption for almost 800 years until it was uncovered in the 1990's. The last place of worship the video looks at is Chuang Yen in New York which is a complex of buildings. The monastery is constructed without any pillars, and houses a 37 foot tall statue of Buddah, surrounded by 10,000 additional statues. The video also discusses how Buddhism is practiced in every Asian country except India, where it was conceived, but explains Buddhism was not overrun by Islam and Hinduism, yet, enriches them.

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

The videos both expand upon the readings in the text. While the text touches upon African art, the video takes a deeper dive into how today we even know that art existed. The Buddhism video touches upon Buddhism, whereas I felt the text had a bit more information on the conception of the actual religion and its beliefs, however, the video actually takes the viewer to places of worship.

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

I enjoyed both of the films. I specifically enjoyed African Art: Legacy of Oppression. I never knew about King Leopold and the horrors the people of the Congo endured. It was interesting to learn how all of these African pieces of art were brought to the Western world under these awful circumstances, and following this, they were (and still are) used as a spectacle. The Buddhism video was also neat in that it was almost like you were able to take a tour of some of the places in the reading. I am also glad I did the reading prior to watching the videos, as I don't think I'd be able to understand some of the terms the narrator mentioned. It was also neat to see Chuang Yen in New York, which I never knew existed.