discussion/response
Ancient Medieval Art Discussion
Required Resource : Jean Robertson and Deborah Hutton, The History of Art: A Global
View, Prehistory to 1500. New York: Thames and Hudson, 2021.
(Respond to one of the following prompts). Each post must be at least 150 words. Do
not copy and paste from an AI content generator. Use your eyes and your brain and
your own writing abilities.
Remember that you must also make one follow-up post per unit. These should be at
least 100 words. This means that your follow-up post cannot simply say that you agree
with what your classmate has written. Expand on it. Add a different perspective.
Disagree with them. Introduce other examples of evidence.
Your posts should describe, in detail, relevant visual and material features of the
artworks that you have chosen to discuss.
Please use a 12pt font size (which is the default setting on Canvas) and black against a
white background as your text color.
Here are your options:
1. How do art and architecture relate to conquest? Choose two examples from
this unit and discuss what specific features have to do with invasion and/or
occupation.
2. What non-visual forms of pleasure or enjoyment does art make reference to?
Choose two examples from this unit and discuss how visual and non-visual
forms of pleasure or enjoyment interacted for their viewer-users.
3. How does art preserve the memory of someone or something, and what is
lost? Answer with reference to two examples from this unit.
4. What are the convergences between art and writing? First, define what you
think the function of writing is. Then choose an object with images from this
unit and discuss how it fulfills that function. Then choose an example of
writing (e.g. calligraphy) or something writing-like (e.g. the khipu) from this
unit and discuss how it serves functions normally associated with visual art.
Response 100 words.
Mariah-How does art preserve the memory of someone or something, and what is
lost? Answer with reference to two examples from this unit.
Art preserves the memory of people, things, or situations usually by depicting some sort
of characteristic or imagery referencing it. Artworks like portraits can capture the
memory of how someone looked while things like engravings in a vase may tell a story
about something that happened in the past. But, not everything can be transcribed
through art, and usually a lot of details can either be forgotten or simply not included.
Certain meanings or intentions can also be lost, as that is something that usually only
the artist themselves will truly know and understand. An example of memory being lost
through art can be found in the Portrait (ChinsŌ) of Mugai Nyodai sculpture. The
sculpture is made to depict the first female Zen master, with a ‘quietly alert’ expression
and a making that has an almost lifelike quality to it. Although, no matter how similar
physical appearances may be through the sculpture, the memory of how the Zen master
was during life is not also transcribed. The memory of how the person felt or how they
were perceived during life can never be told. Another example of memory lost through
art is in the Night Attack on the SanjŌ Palace. The artwork depicts a vivid scene
of a conflict between two clans, complete with detailed portrayals of destructive actions
and a burning palace. However detailed the artwork of the scene that unfolded may be,
though, the actual memory of the experience itself is still lost. Things like experiences,
thoughts, and feelings cannot be directly portrayed through the artwork, although the
vivid imagery does help viewers try to understand.
- Ancient Medieval Art Discussion
