FILM 3: Michelangelo/Marlow

• Who is Timothy Marlow? Why should we believe his story?
Timothy Marlow is a British writer, broadcaster, and most importantly a historian. He has done numerous broadcasts about the Great Artists and other series concerning art history. This gives him more credibility when talking about Michelangelo in this video, plus his charisma.

• Which painting do you like most by Michelangelo's why? How was it made?
What do you see first, second, third? Why? What is this painting about?
The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Creation. This painting is emblematic of its time and is stunning in its portrayal of God as a muscular Greek hero. This was a fresco, paint coupled with plaster so that the walls and ceilings themselves ARE the painting. I initially notice the nude male figure that God is reaching out to. He is the light figure against a darker background, bringing him to the foreground. Next I notice the depiction of God in his cloud/chariot reaching to the Earth to bring life. Finally, and most significantly, I notice the touching of the fingers between God and the nude male. This touching of the divine and mortal has the greatest impact of any other of his paintings. It breathes life into religion.  

• Why did this storyteller chose to use significant locations to tell parts of his
story? Which locations were the most effective and why?
Using powerful locations allows for a better understanding and stronger connection between the viewer and storyteller. In addition, there is a connection formed between Michelangelo and the viewer. Rome was by far the most effective location. It was/is the center of Catholicism, already creating a powerful image. When you combine the reputation and prestige of ROME with the beauty of Michelangelo's paintings in the Sistine Chapel; the result is an overwhelming feeling of awe.

• Ask a New Question for others to discuss next week
Although a wonderfully talented painter, Michelangelo was predominantly a sculptor. In your opinion, should Michelangelo's paintings be placed on the same level as such masters as DaVinci?

FILM 2: DaVinci/Bruce

• Who is Fiona Bruce? Why should we believe her stories?
Fiona Bruce is a woman that presented numerous important television programs for BBC corporation in the UK. She also has a reputation for a more honest type of journalism that attempts to get to the truth. This gives her a more believable image, in addition to her obvious passion for DaVinci's work.

• Which painting do you like most by Leonardo's why? How was it made? What do
you see first, second, third? Why? What is this painting about?
Although I do not really care for the Mona Lisa aesthetically, there is something about the paintings that intrigues me. I would never buy a print or praise its beauty, but the mystery of the woman's face is what captures me. She is not beautiful, there is no color that draws your attention, yet her face grabs you and never willingly allows you to look away.  This was done by paintings layers upon layers that each incorporated a different element. Some layers would be for shadow and other for more pigment. However the pigment was very scattered, never concentrated in a specific area (hence the lack of vibrant color). The face is what I notice first, without a doubt with its lightness in the center of shadow and mysterious gaze. Next is the subtle halo that is around the woman's head. Something about it makes you feel a sense of ecclesiastic presence. Next is the background/landscape. It is completely dull and blurred, yet through this and its darkness, the woman becomes the focus without anything to drag the eye away from the face of the Mona Lisa. This painting was meant to be the wife of Francesco del Giocondo, Lisa Gherardini.

• Why did this storyteller chose to use expert interviews to tell parts of her
story? Which Interviews were the most effective and why?
Using experts gives the story a more grounded and intellectual feel. It also provides a sense of credibility to a story that some may scoff at. I liked the interview with Syson. He provided an interesting insight into why DaVinci had SO many unfinished paintings with his "flakey-ness." It is a different view that has not been documented quite as often.

• Ask a New Question for others to discuss next week
Do you agree with the main theme of the video (That DaVinci was/is the best painter that has lived)? Is his work even comparable to that of the Impressionists with each style being vastly different from the other?

FILM 1: Paint/History

• What is Paint? What are it's component parts? What are it's functions?
Paint is a pigmented liquid that dries to form a hard, solid, protective film (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIRl5lTlSCY). {Pulled directly from the Film}
The component parts are the resin, the pigment and the solvent.
Resin: Acts as the binder or glue that holds everything together, like glue. Pigment: This is the colorant for the paint and are always solids. Solvent: This allows for the smoothness of the paint to spread out.

• What do you think lead to the most significant evolution in paint?
I think that Linseed oil is what lead to the continued evolution of paint. It allows for paint to go on very smooth which creates a glossy surface of the painting. This smoothness and the ability to make more colors than ever before allowed people to begin painting whatever they desired. This also replaced tempura, leading to the more modern version we still use today: Oil Paint.

• What is a painting? Is it important that a painting lasts for 500 years? 30,000
Years? Why?
A painting is anything that paint has been applied to. It can be one of the great classical pieces by Renoir, or even the walls of a person's house. Paintings should last throughout the ages. Each painting tells a story and is a marker of its time. With all of the different transitions that paint has gone through, the paint itself has become a piece of history, from tempura to oil and all the way to latex and acrylic paint. Without paintings that last, the history of paint and paintings could be lost. Paintings are the same as literature form a specific point in history, they serve as a way to glimpse into the past and see where the world and its wonders evolved from.

• Ask a New Question for others to discuss next week
Do you think that there will ever be an end to the evolution of paint and its uses? Why or why not?

Introduction-Aaron Ozment

My name is Aaron Ozment and I am a Senior at Saint Xavier. I have been here for all four years of University and after this class I will have completed the required credits and will officially be done. I will graduate at the December ceremony this year, receiving my Bachelor's Degree in English Literature. I was originally going to become an English teacher for High School but decided against it with all of the recent 'issues' concerning retirement and pension.
I took this class because I have a passion for art but have forgotten it. I used to draw and paint all of the time, then I got wrapped up in school and never left myself time. I would like to get back into the swing of drawing again!! I look forward to this class and getting back into what I enjoy doing.