Blog Post Number 7

If I had to describe the information I am learning in class thus far, I could only use the word "fascinating". Today's class discussion began with short summaries of various literature and painting era's.The Medieval time period wasn't very interesting to me and I haven't retained much from class (sorry Katie) but the Gothic era has left more of an impression on me. The organized church used iconic symbols of Christianity to relay massages to many who could not read. For the poor peasants of this time the architecture, statues and even glass windows all made direct references to the church which was used to coerce them into submission. This dominance of symbolism through art began to influence the writers because it was not yet, the time of "individual expression" but art and literature was used to maintain the power of the church. The artist and writers were all very educated in Christian symbolism which encouraged them to use the Trinity, the Virgin and The cross through out their work. All of these symbols are interwoven through the architecture of the time and this then reflects the significance of landscape because the church was so overpowering that religion was set on such a high pedestal it completely suffocated the people and left any with no alternative but to conform. The church was to be given precedence in ones mind/heart and then the land.
Romanticism followed the Gothic era and it became the time when artist began to break lose from all of the oppressive religious traditions and began to write and paint about the world in which they actually lived in. The "Enlightenment Age" had now blossomed the idea of thinking for oneself was beginning to gain momentum. Many artist began to use their art as a voice to give an audience in favor of the plight of the comman man (coming to terms with their every struggles). Their art and writings question the world and all of the confining religious rituals. The artist of the Romantic era time were not picking up swords but pens and brushes and waging a war of the mind! (I love to question the world and maybe that's why I have retained more information about this time period than the others from yesterdays class).
We have not yet discussed the Victorian Era but this is m favorite. Why?? The world was evolving because of machines and "human ingenuity". Many wanted to conquer daily problems (traveling, laundering, communicating) with scientific reason. Religion was losing some of its audience due to the conflicting theories of Darwinism and Herbert Spencer who introduced"Evolutionary Theory". Politics, Ideology and Society were changing because the huge unequal disbursement of wealth which introduced feminism, Marxism, Socialism, Unions. I love this period!!!.The Industrial Revolution brougth about social atrocities so here lies a conflict ..What was the cost of putting wheels to work (factories included syncrinized movements of mechanical motions and at the base of these machines were wheels!!!)
I am enjoying the classroom setting. I was educated public schools that emphasised the "Paidiea" instruction so I am very comfortable with seminars. It is a very welcoming enviorment versus traditional classroom settings, I am able to have a clear view of all of my classmates and I don't feel distant from Professor Benander (as an authority figure) but I see her as guide. We are able to reflect on personal experiences and this bring a more homogeneous enviorment which ultimately encourages learning from one another.
Everything were are discussing in regards to writing/painting era(s) is all new to me. I have not yet taken a art class so learning about these different periods is helping me become a more developed student. I have more background information about the history and development of art. In order to truly be able to understand and interpret art (literary, paintings, sculpture or sketches) the audience should have a fundamental background of the time period in which the art(ist) were developing their work. I am inspired to do more research on my own specifically in the area of Victorianism. I ultimately want to became a lawyer, specifically in the area of social policy and human rights, the Victorian Era seems to have an abundance of information that I know I can manipulate to further my cause!