Video Review

I chose this video because I am not familiar with any culture or traditions from the 50s and 60s.

Abstract Expressionism and Pop: Art of the ’50s and ’60s- Abstract painting works in the real space between the viewer and the painting. Action painting: the actions of the artist while painting is important as the final painting. Jackson Pollack is an action painter who brings emotion to his painting. The Pop Art movement was not a clear, coherent movement. Artists of this movement were brought together because they lived in the same city. Pop Art was also the first 20th century movement since Futurism to embrace the rhythms of city life. De Kooning later becomes an action painter.

I chose this video because the title added my curiosity to what the power of art was.

The Power of Art: Rothko

 Rothko committed suicide in 1970 because he had spent so much time in his mind and the realm of the dead. Rothko was commissioned to do paintings for the Four Seasons Restaurants in the Seagrams building in New York. He was paid $35,000, what would be the equivalent of $2.5 million today. He wanted to create basic human emotions throughout his art. Rothko insists that his paintings imbue the values of contemporary society, and he denies any psychological interpretation of his art. Rothko’s condition made him create deeper and darker paintings  to express his emotions.

I chose this video because I was curious to find out the uncertainty of art.

Uncertainty: Modernity and Art

Greek statues offer the idealistic human form. Industrial Revolution separates man from nature which leads to modern life. Modern art has made obscurity popular, changes as society changes and means living with doubt. Abstract art puts the viewer in an experiment and provokes questions but gives no answers. In the past, art expressed inspirational ideals that were slightly unreal.

I love Andy Warhol’s work so I chose this video.

Andy Warhol: Images of an Image

Warhol began as a commercial artist until 1960. His silkscreen Marilyn Monroe made him famous. Silkscreen process is an enlarge original image, contrast can be changed, results in large half tone sheet, screen of mesh is stretched across frame and treated with a light sensitive material. The next step is to have it layed on the screen and exposed to light. Then it is rinsed with water, the black unexposed parts dissolve, while the white parts harden filling in the screen. This creates a negative image. Warhol produced dozens of self portraits. As an art journalist his work addresses race riots, the conquest of the moon, the cultural revolution in China, and the universal reign of the dollar.

2. These videos all relate to the text because they contain the same artists and examples from the book. They show what 20^th century art movements were like.
3. The films were interesting throughout most parts of the videos and they provided artwork from several artists and their way of life that contributed to their art. I really enjoy seeing visuals of the artists and the artists background on film rather than reading.