Module 11- video review

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

I decided to watch the two videos Matisse and Picasso, and Dada and Surrealism because I wanted to learn something new that I did not get from the text. I thought it would be interesting to connect what we learned in the text from this chapter to actual artists and their pieces. The first video helped me get perspective of certain aspects of art throughout history. The second video helped me understand key terms from the text that I did not focus on in my chapter response.

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

Matisse and Picasso- this film is about compiling a half-century of unparalleled artistic dialogue, the film documents the complicated relationship between two indomitable personae: Matisse, the serene, self indulgent father figure, and Picasso, the eternal adolescent and fiery primitive. The video employs archival photos of film clips, stunning images of painting and sculpture, and firsthand recollections of the Picasso and Matisse circles, illuminating the interesting creative journeys of both artists. Francoise Gilots and Picasso's son Claude shed light on the Spaniards formal reactions to and admiration a of Matisse, while Jacqueline Matisse Monnier and Matisse biographer Hilary Spurling reciprocate.

Dada and Surrealism- this film is about the Dada movement, born as a reaction to World War 1, and it's successor, Surrealism, opened new avenues for artistic creation by striving to bypass the reasoning process and tap directly into unconscious mind. The film takes time too look at work from Kurt Schwitter, Hannah Hoch, George Grosz, Joan Miro, Salvador Dali, and Man Ray.

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

The videos relate to the readings because they focus on the era during the French and American Revolution. The 19th century gave birth to our industrialized middle class culture of mass consumption, advertising and consumption of leisure activities. These activities included shopping, visiting art museums and going to entertainments. The first national museum is called the Louvre in Paris. It opened during the French Revolution. The text also touches on Neoclassicism, Romanticism, constructivism, and Expressionism which are different styles of art that were developed during this time which are also mentioned in the videos.

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

I believe that the films helped me get a good grasp on artists drive for artwork during the revolutionary time because of different styles of art. The historical events that were taking place during that time in history helped artist make real masterpieces in their collections. The videos also helped me get a great perspective of specific artists such as Picasso and Matisse and how they developed artwork during this revolutionary time to help with advertisements using different styles of work.