How Art Made the World
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Movie Reviews of How Art Made the World
Movie Review: A feast for the eyes and mind
Summary: 5 Stars
While I agree with other reviewers that some of the conclusions and connections made in this ambitious series risk being overstated and oversimplified, there is so much fascinating material here, so magnificently presented, that I would hate to discourage anyone from seeing this extraordinary achievement. I was utterly in awe of the production values -- the attention to detail in terms of framing scenes with stunning natural landscapes, dynamic (including computer-enhanced) art direction, strategic use of archival footage, and making generous use of experts from multiple disciplines. The filmmakers here have cleverly applied many of the theories they discuss on what makes art effective and persuasive to making the documentary itself extremely compelling, from having the camera linger with mesmerizing intensity on the world's most dramatic images, shifting points of view to maintain interest, and employing dramatic tension to advance the narrative. While Dr. Spivey is a highly charismatic and erudite presenter, the way his rugged good looks and toned physique are exploited, in the semiotic context of this particular film, occasionally made me laugh out loud. Nonetheless, this series, which is somewhat reminiscent of Bill Moyers's wonderful interviews with Joseph Campbell, is a rare and visionary achievement, marrying the disciplines of art history, archeology, anthropology, psychology, and neuroscience, to give us a transcendent view of the way art both reflects and molds human culture.Movie Review: A wonderful explanation of art, especially for the average person.
Summary: 5 Stars
This video is exceptional, because it truly explains why humans make art, why we make it in the ways we do, and what is interesting about the art we make. If you've ever wished you could better appreciate a trip to a museum, or understand what makes both ancient Greek sculpture and the paintings of Picasso great, this series will be truly enlightening for you. The best thing about it is that it puts art in the context of society, psychology, the science of the brain, and history-- this isn't just art appreciation for those that like to look at pretty pictures-- this is a true explanation of deep-seated psychological, scientific, and historical drives, and how those drives manifest themselves in art.
The production is quite serious, and lacks the silliness of most American productions that can be seen on the Discovery Channel or National Geographic. I was impressed by the the fact that even though the program very fundamental topics for the layman, I never felt "talked down to."
Anyone who would like to gain a better appreciation for both human nature, and art, should be fascinated by this great series.
Movie Review: Fascinating for art lovers!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a really fascinating, very accessable series for any student of art and culture. Nigel Spivey is a very personable host, open-minded and a little humorous. The series included a number of surprising "new" connections and conclusions about ancient art and man's life today. I watched the first hour on a DVD borrowed from the local library, and immediately got online at Amazon to get my own copy. I have watched the entire set a number of times and still am picking up new information. I have used the section on "How Drawings Began" in the classroom with 5th graders, who were spellbound. I have recommended this set to all my friends and colleagues. If you have any interest in art and culture of mankind, I highly recommend this series!Movie Review: The Power of Art
Summary: 5 Stars
Wonderful photography and lighting make this program outstanding. The psychology, including some experiments done to back it up, was thought provoking and overall reminiscent of Joseph Campbell's series: The Power of Myth - also highly recommended. David Attenborough only appears in one episode, for about 10 minutes, both in the present and in some footage from the 1960s, which is a special treat for his fans. This is not a history of art, but an exploration of its meaning and impact through the ages and today. A bit uneven and overly dramatic at times, I think it is worth viewing and I plan on buying it eventually.Movie Review: Big ideas about how art influenced civilization.
Summary: 5 Stars
This series of five (approx. 1 hour each)segments asks and attempts to answer big, conceptual ideas in which art plays a central role. I'm a high school art teacher and have struggled to find videos which engage high school age kids and doesn't put them to sleep. This series and Schoma's "Power of Art" come as close as I've found to that goal. You won't find a pure chronological flow, but instead there are questions such as "How did the first artist manage to create a 2D image without ever being taught?" (Hypothesis: hallucinations). First, second and last segments are the strongest.