Mod 11 Video Blog

Module 11 Video Blog

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

Video #1: Dada and Surrealism

I selected this video for two reasons.  First, I enjoy viewing Surrealistic artwork.  I find it to be complex and different than many other forms of art.  Second, I did not know anything about Dada art and I wanted to learn more about its connection to Surrealism. 

Video #2: The Impact of Cubism

I selected this video for one simple reason.  I am mesmerized by Pablo Picasso’s art but he is the only Cubism artist I know.  I always find myself wondering what he was thinking while he was creating his art.  I knew that other Cubism artists would be discussed in this video and it would be an opportunity for me to learn more about them and the Cubism movement. 

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

Video #1: Dada and Surrealism

The main concepts of this video are the emergence of the Dada movement after World War 1 and then the development of the Surrealism movement that followed.  Dada was initially a form of protest that started in Switzerland.  The art that came out of it was a combination of many techniques.  The foremost idea was that Dada art was not any one specific type of art but a combination of different ideas and concepts.  Surrealism was a concept more than art in the beginning.  Surrealist artists looked at objects in a new way and distorted them at times.  The video uses Salvador Dali’s work titled “The Burning Giraffe” as an example of Surrealism.  The work was created by Dali to explore the subconscious of the human brain. Surrealism sets out to make no sense and let the viewer ponder the reasons for the distortions and abnormal situations.   

Video #2: The Impact of Cubism

The main concepts of this video were the beginning of Cubism, artists that created it, and how this type of art was created.  The video offers that Cubism found its roots in African tribal art.  The video gives examples from artists such as Robert Delaunay and Umberto Boccioni.  The video describes several different ways in which the artists create Cubism.  Some of these techniques are the same and some are different than described in the text.  

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

Video #1: Dada and Surrealism

The video paralleled the text in several areas.  First, they both used examples from Salvador Dali to show Surrealism.  Second, the text and the video both link Dada art to the development of Surrealism.  They both discuss Dada art in terms of a beginning to Surrealism. 

Video #2: The Impact of Cubism

In my opinion this video related to the text only in the fact that they both described Cubism.  The video gave examples of art that were not the same as the text.  The video went more in depth on the techniques that the specific artists used in each work of art.  The text gave examples from Picasso and Braque as did the video but he text did not expand much beyond those two artists. 

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

Video #1: Dada and Surrealism

The video gave many examples of the art for each movement of art.  It allowed me to get a good sense for the style, influences, and purpose for this type of art.  The video was a bit over an hour long and I think the material it covered could have been discussed in a shorter time frame but I will say the quality of the information was good.  The video added to the subject and was a good addition to the readings in the text.

Video #2: The Impact of Cubism

I liked this video on one point only.  It provided me with information on Cubism artists other than Picasso.  This is why I choose this video to begin with so my goal was achieved.  I do wish that this video and others were more entertaining to watch.  I understand the content is what’s important but the presentation is a killer to get through on some of these.