How Art Made the World
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Movie Reviews of How Art Made the World
Movie Review: art rules
Summary: 5 Stars
I like the author's perspective that art tells the story of history, that we are creative beings and our creativity is what to follow to find out about how we think. Great stuff.Movie Review: How Art Made the World
Summary: 5 Stars
I just love it. It is a great review about art since ancient times through 20th century. If you enjoy learning about art you have to consider this book for your library.Movie Review: Nice break from too much reading, reviewing.
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this along with several books for a grad student studying for exams. It provided an interesting alternative to endless reading.
Movie Review: The Brain that Made the Art
Summary: 4 Stars
Context. It seems to be the underlying theme in this series -- that every work of art is produced by a human brain within a cultural context.
Other reviewers have aptly pointed out the shortcomings of this series, and I could add a few more, but instead I want to let those considering viewing or purchasing this series know that perhaps the most redeeming aspect of this product is it's treatment of these two themes: brains and violence.
Two episodes stood out for me.
One looks at cave paintings as the product of artists who went to caves to experience sensory deprivation, have visions, and create art as a response to the sacred. To say this, as I have just done, sounds a little flaky, but to watch the episode, with it's slow unraveling of the mystery through visits to caves, experts, and finally an experiment on the host, is to suddenly see a new explanation as if you discovered it yourself.
The other episode that stood out for me is the last one in which the art of death is examined. The 40,000 deaths at the ancient Aztec(?) temple and the explanation for why people would stand for it was an earth shaking revelation for me. People would rather be on the side of the killers than on the other side. This tied with the research showing that people reminded of their own mortality are more likely to lash out at people not in their group, revealed something about our political leaders continual fascination with war. It is a way to gain loyalty and reinforce group cohesion. Art can either facilitate this mechanism, or reveal it for what it is.
For me, the insights just seemed to tumble out of this episode about religion, video games, non-violence, and relationships in the various groups I'm involved in.
I guess if you are coming to this series as an art historian, or a historian of any sort, you will find lots to complain about, but if you are interested in the psychology of art, this is a great source of ideas and insights.
Movie Review: Fascinating subjects but falls short of ambitious title
Summary: 4 Stars
Rather than a sweeping history of art this film excels at discussing a few fascinating subjects including the 25,000 year old Venus von Willendorf, 3,000 years of unchanging art in Egypt, Greek sculpture and their fascination with the body, the 12,000 year old Goblecki Tepe which far predates Stonehenge, and cave paintings. Also discussed but less interesting is how kings and politicians have used images to convey their power, and how images of death are used both to terrify and reassure. Subjects usually found in an art history book such as the Renaissance, Baroque, and modern art are not mentioned at all.
Some of the conclusions presented are not well supported and seem contrived. However there are enough fascinating subjects to make this well worth watching.