This module was dedicated to the evolution of realism in sculptures and art. Armed with a slew of videos and my textbook we set out to learn how we came from unrealistic portrayals of the human figure to the realistic nature we know so well today. I had the liberty to watch three videos on the topic with a slight range in the coverage, they were as follows:
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More Human that Humam:
This was a video that was selected for me and I am glad it was. It covers a more scientific side to the why we depict the human body as we do. As a man of science I really enjoy this approach. The key question was, does culture dictate how we perceive the human form? Is culture king? They make some solid points especially with regard to how long the Egyptians keep the same overall concept of how they portray humans, for 3000 years, Three Thousand; and it never even kind of changed. That was a shocker for me. They even are believed to have set out a set pattern in which to accurately draw the figures over and over again, by using the grid, transfer method. I really enjoyed this video and it opened up some levels of knowledge on art for me that I never knew I was interested in. The precision that was used to sculpt and how the figures are manipulated within 4 different quadrants to depict movement and show realism was a breakthrough that seems so natural to us now it feels like its been around forever. I think the biggest impact for me was how fast the trend seemed to change to life like from the distortions that once were and then once perfection seemed to be found, we started to move back towards minor distortion to make the pieces come more alive and feel more human, yet they are still distorted.
The Greek Awakening: Art from the 5th Century B.C.
I chose this video because after digging so much into the Greek art movement and how they changed the ideal portrayal of the human figure, I need to know more. This video focused mostly on the pediments that were showcased on the Greek temples all over their land. The focus was on Athens, the Capitol of Greece naturally. What was a little eye opening was how closely all of the sudden breakthroughs in modern views were developing at the same time. I never gave thought to it but to think that Math, Science, Philosophy and Art would all make revolutionary breakthroughs at the same time, in the same place is awe inspiring. I cannot even begin to imagine going through it all at once, how crazy it must have been for people outside the inner circles of these breakthroughs. What was also interesting was how the development of Greek tragedy took the world by storm and theaters were built to house these great shows during times of importance and how the Greeks still made use of these gatherings to integrate politics, was just funny to hear it brought up in this video. In the end this video highlighted the new way to depict humans and animals in such a lifelike manner and this was known as The Great Awakening, during the 6th-5th Centuries B.C. I can see why this period was named as such after seeing and hearing about all the breakthroughs that took flight in one place, so close together.
The Measure of all Things: Greek Art and the Human Figure
Had to stick with the Greek theme! After the extra credit assignment this felt like it could open up some more details that could really be interesting. This video focused heavily on the realism shift of the Greeks sculpting. What was noted is that even thousands of years prior to this Great Awakening the Greeks and other civilizations still were obsessed with the human figure. The Greeks went as far a depicting their Gods as humans, but they never lost any sign of greater power or divinity while being portrayed as humans. The amazing clips were really the Greek art prior to this movement that looks like so many modern art pieces. The abstract human figures, mildly distorted and slightly exaggerated in so many similar places. A new piece of info I grabbed was the depiction of scratches on the belly of a female figure is a sign of having given birth before, was something I have never heard. The shift from the Egyptian style and revelation of realism was quick and revolutionary. The sculpture of Nike was a fantastic idea, using the cloths to show movement and use space in a sculpture that seems to defy gravity and yet stands balanced though the figure looks as though it is just landing. Was well thought out to be honest and had to be a thing of beauty painted, because it looks great as natural stone. That was another fun fact that was brought up in this video, all of these great pieces were actually painted! I like how the speaker noted that he wondered how the Greeks would feel about this "Las Vegas like image" that they were keeping up. I honestly think these pieces look great a natural stone and can only imagine how they may look painted. The life like qualities would undoubtedly peak though more but I feel like they would lose some grandeur, but I am only speculating, they would be a sight to see none the less.
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