DQ1 Review: Chapter 8 reading and Episode 05 'To Death and Back’ video series "How

Art Made the World" Discuss: Why images of death are used to bind people to a cause,
political ideology, religion or other value system?

Crystal Camden
Jackson, Elizabeth
Art-2-73609
20 July 2018

Solomon and Greenberg have collected evidence which shows, that by reminding
people of their own death, it drives them to support those that share their values
and oppose those who don't. It's a universal instinct across time. Wh en we think
about death we become more invested in our own belief system (Solomon and
Geeenburg). This has been used throughout history and one that Christians can
relate to best is the image of Chris on the cross, or simply the cross. A symbol
of a man oozing blood, dying a terrifying death. When we no longer fear the
inevitability of death, not only are we prepared to give up life for a greater
good, we do so knowing that we are remembered for it, a heroic death.
“By creating art work of death, it allows us to take control.”

“More Human Than Human.” How Art Made the World, performance by Nigel Spivey,
episode 1, BBC Worldwide, 2006.

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Dustin Jones
Jackson, Elizabeth
Art-2-
20 July 2018

In Jericho, in the 1st millennia BC, the average life expectancy was 24. The
prospect of Death would have terrified them and these artistic representations
would have allowed them to keep their ancestors alive. Reassurance, however, is
only part of story. Some have used images of death for opposite effect, to
exploit our fear of death. The French painter Jacques Louis David used the
image of Marat (the leader of the revolution) murdered in bath to gain support
for their cause. The SS used images of the skul l and cross bones on their
uniforms to strike fear in their victims. The Peruvian Moche created the Waca
Da Luna temple to honor their human sacrifices. The walls of this temple show
horrific images of death, featuring spiders with human faces and fangs, l izards
that have been decapitated and the pottery found their shows people having their
eyes pecked out by birds. A mass human grave was found nearby and many of
the bodies had been both decapitated and dismembered, the bodies were those
that had been sacrificed by the Moche. The neighboring Aztecs, however, did
human sacrifice on an industrial scale. In one 4 day even, over forty -thousand
people were sacrificed. Archeologists believe that the mass sacrifices of the
Aztecs were to repay the debt of their su n god, who used his own blood to keep
the sun alive. If his debt was not repaid with their most highly prized gifts (their
lives) then the sun would go out. This is one of histories most successful regime
of terror, that kept a tight grip on their people, thankful to be Aztec rather than
the victims of the sacrifices.

“More Human Than Human.” How Art Made the World, performance by Nigel Spivey,
episode 1, BBC Worldwide, 2006.

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DQ2 "Discuss the historical ramifications of art obtained through colonization or

conflict. Cite a specific example of a country or people affected by this practice. Can you
cite recent examples of artworks which are now being returned to their countries of
origin? Why is art destroyed in conflict?

Crystal Camden
Jackson, Elizabeth
Art-2-73609
20 July 2018

The Buddha’s of Bamiyan were built in the 6th century, carved directly out of a sandstone
cliff in Afghanistan. The pair of stone Buddha’s stood for 1500 years. These monuments to
Buddha have been through much in their years of servitude. They have survived several
attacks from Muslim Emperors, Genghis Kahn’s invasion and finally due to a “cultural purge
by the Taliban” these beautiful giants were destroyed by gunfire, then dynamite on March of
2001. The purpose behind these “crimes against culture” were religious beliefs. The two
Buddha’s stood 135 and 175 ft. tall and after all the destruction hidden cave drawing and
scripts were discovered. Along with this, a third Buddha near ruins. Of course, destruction of
monuments is nothing unheard of past or present. Many monuments have been turned to
rubble in name of religion, war, and politics. Recently, the United States have returned 26
artifacts to Rome where they were smuggled from and now recovered. The world we live in is
an amazing and terrible place, humans destroy, break-down, and are disrespectful to each
other, but then there are inspirer’s, curers, helpers that are willing to change the views of those
who are willing to change.

Lazzari, Margaret. Exploring Art: A Global, Thematic Approach, 5th Edition. Cengage
Learning, 2016.

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Dustin Jones
Jackson, Elizabeth
Art-2-
20 July 2018
On a daily basis, artwork is being destroyed and looted. Some think the destruction of art is
just now becoming a phenomenon. However, the destruction and looting of art has be around
for centuries. Also, many art pieces are being taken away from the country they were created.
Many countries are affected by this practice, and many want their artwork back. An example
of this would be the statue of Morgantina. This statue was located outside the town of Aidone
in the late 1970s. This statues origin was in Sicily Italy, but was then taken to the J. Paul
Getty Museum (The New York Times). The statue eventually made its way back to Sicily.
According to this article, many art pieces have been returning to their origins. The New York
Times states some art pieces developed a deeper meaning once returned, and others lose the
meaning they once had (The New York Times). Taking artwork away from its origins can
give greater meaning to the piece, and make the piece worth more. Unfortunately, this isn’t
always the case. Art work can become less valued once taken away from its origins, or can
become less valued if one day it returns back to its home country. Also, artwork may not be
safe because many people look to destroy and loot art pieces. In addition, artwork is being
destroyed during conflict. When people look to attack another country they are fully aware
they will be destroying people’s homes, and taking people’s lives. If these attackers can live
with the fact they took hundreds of people’s lives, they won’t mind the fact they destroyed
that countries historical monuments

Lazzari, Margaret. Exploring Art: A Global, Thematic Approach, 5th Edition. Cengage
Learning, 2016.

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DQ3 1. Has viewing this video series influenced or changed the way that you feel about
the ways that you may have been influenced to make political decisions and or purchases
in the past? If so how? If not why not?

Crystal Camden
Jackson, Elizabeth
Art-2-73609
20 July 2018

Most definitely, as I get older and health cost seem to be increasing, slowly looking for easier
and cheaper ways for my retirement. It is easy to look at some of these lib proposals and say
to myself, that is tempting. But then the realization that my kids and grandkids would have to
pick up that tab, have their quality of life impacted, brings me back to the reality. That it is the
middle class who always pays for the libs great deals. They always talk about the rich, but
those cost, always flow downhill and the middle always end up paying the tab.

Dustin Jones
Jackson, Elizabeth
Art-2-
20 July 2018
2. Do you think that you will be able to make more informed choices about politics or
purchases in the future, now that you are a bit more informed about the ways that
images are used to manipulate you and your decision-making process's?

Crystal Camden
Jackson, Elizabeth
Art-2-73609
20 July 2018

No, I don’t become very influenced very often. I like to do my own research and come to my
own conclusions based on my conscience. However, I have noticed the affects that images
and social media have had on my children. Between the in-your-face campaigning, the mock
elections at school, and the hubbub within our own family, my 11-year old son became very
interested in the political world recently. He had a lot of questions, many of which I had
difficulty answering without bias. Some questions I couldn't answer at all; I didn't know the
answer. Overall, I tried to demonstrate the importance of making an informed choice, rather
than supporting a particular party. Especially the importance of not listening to social media
or propaganda. It's been interesting, to say the least. Just curious as to other's experiences with
kids and politics.

Dustin Jones
Jackson, Elizabeth
Art-2-
20 July 2018

For me personally yes. However, for people as a whole clearly not, social media and internet
'news' sites publish “fake news” constantly and people believe it like it’s the gospel of St
Luke. Both rightwing or left, I wish it were funny but it’s not, it’s causing such a distrust in
the media and miscommunication between both parties.

3. How if at all might the information presented in chapters 9 and 10 and episode 03
'The Art of Persuasion' alter your decision-making process in our next Presidential
election?

Crystal Camden
Jackson, Elizabeth
Art-2-73609
20 July 2018

Dustin Jones
Jackson, Elizabeth
Art-2-
20 July 2018
DQ4 Research and Discuss: The impact of the "Industrial Revolution" on the hand crafted
object. Can you think of an object that you use in your everyday life that is not made by a
machine? If so what is it?

Crystal Camden
Jackson, Elizabeth
Art-2-73609
20 July 2018

In our text book Exploring Art, it states “When considering technology today, we most likely
think of the world since the Industrial Revolution of the nineteenth century and the more
recent developments in transportation, manufacturing and communication” (404). We have
grown up in a society where every item we own is made in mass production from our clothing
to the vehicles we drive. We have enquired these items through the advancement of
technology, the Industrial Revolution was the bang of a new era. Many years ago every item
was made by hand, there was no technology, no robots, no machines and no computers.
Handmade items are very rare to find since the advancement of technology came about.
Although, the things that are made by hand and not by machine have the most sentimental
value and sometimes and cost more due to the fact that they are made manually and not by
technology.

As I read the topic for this discussion I caught myself thinking very hard of the items I use on
a daily basis, all the items I own are made in a factory or by a machine. I finally thought of
one item I use on a daily basis that is not made by a machine or in a factory; my handmade
quilt. My mom made me a quilt about 5 years ago with old T-shirts and pieces of fabric. I
remember watching my mom make this blanket, she took her time and it was very hard work.
Although machines can make items faster, handmade items have more sentimental value and
are always a prize to possess.

Lazzari, Margaret. Exploring Art: A Global, Thematic Approach, 5th Edition. Cengage
Learning, 2016.

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Dustin Jones
Jackson, Elizabeth
Art-2-
20 July 2018

The industrial revolution had a major impact on the hand-crafted object. "Technology
advanced rapidly in the early twentieth century, causing cities to expand and producing
structures in shapes and sizes never seen before"( Lazzari). The industrial revolution allowed
for cities to expand at a much faster rate and allow for architects to create buildings never
before seen. "Particularly striking were bridges, factories, skyscrapers, ocean liners, and fast
trains"( Lazzari).
There are many items that I use in my everyday life that are not made by a machine. The
items that I use have a sentimental value to them, given that most of them are made by close
friends or family members. I have many blankets that have been quilted for me from a few of
my family members. I have a close friend of mine who has painted many paintings that are
hung on my walls. I have a few dish washing rags that my mother has hand made for me. I
love having items that are handmade due to the fact that they are not only authentic but
created with so much love from family members or friends.

Lazzari, Margaret. Exploring Art: A Global, Thematic Approach, 5th Edition. Cengage
Learning, 2016.

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