Mod 8 Video Blog

This week I watched:
More Human than Human
Cataclysm: The Black Death Visits Tuscany



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

We were asked to watch More Human than Human and then to pick one additional video.  I chose Cataclysm: The Black Death Visits Tuscany because it seemed to be the most interesting based on the descriptions of the videos.

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

In More Human than Human, the key concepts are learned were to expand the discussion on the baby Herring gulls and their reaction to the stick with a line(s) drawn on them, this was previously discussed by the same scientist in a previous video we had watched this semester.  I also found the concept of culture effecting the depictions of the human body in the art world.  In early times certain elements of the human female figure was grossly exaggerated, while other body parts were completely downplayed.  Then as society and culture changed so did the depictions of the human form, to those of the Egyptians, which were all very similar and all had the same scale.  Once again as the culture changed so too did the human depictions in sculpture, to once again exaggerating the parts they wanted to emphasize to showcase their strength as the Greek statues did.

In Cataclysm, the key concepts I took were the profound effect the Bubonic Plaque had on the cities of Sienna and Florence in Italy.  Not only did it have a huge death toll but it also effected pretty much every level of life in the region.  The plaque spared no one, rich, poor, clergy, sinner.  This caused the virtual stoppage of life as they knew it.  Life was now filled with pain, suffering and riches were lost.  Another key concept I took was the cyclic nature of development throughout the centuries.  While many historians originally stated that the decline of the arts and development in the second half of the 14th century was due to the plaque, now it is more likely that this was simply due to the cyclical nature of development and then lulls in development and innovation.  This can be documented on many centuries throughout history.  The century usually begins with a high level of innovation, new developments.  The second half of the century tends to lag behind and not many new developments come to fruition. 


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

More Human than Human expands on the Paleolithic era art, describing in more detail the Venus of Willendorf.  The Cataclysm video expands our knowledge of the Italian artists of the 14th century and their innovations to painting.  Duccio and Giotto had a great impact on the beginning of the Renaissance period. 
 
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?

I enjoyed both videos and felt they were both excellent in helping my knowledge of the chapters of text that this accompanied.  The information was presented well and held my interest throughout both videos.