Discussion 7.1: Medieval art vs. Byzantine art

You are an artist living in Western Europe between the 6th and 11th centuries and you are concerned that your work is not being adequately appreciated by a group of hoity-toity art critics from Constantinople.

Select two specific examples of early Medieval art and defend these against the insults of the Byzantine critics who state that your work "...doesn't present a naturalistic view of the body..." or "...was not created with an understanding of Greek and Roman forms...".

Explain the reasons why your work should be regarded as impressive by explaining the technique, needs of the patron, or underlying artistic qualities of your artwork to these critics. Make sure to clearly articulate what makes your art wonderful and awe-inspiring by providing specific examples and details drawn from what you know of this period and the art you have selected.

Discussion 7.2: Churches in your pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

You are now playing the part of an early Pilgrim traveling to Santiago de Compostela (the most important pilgrimage destination during the Romanesque period after Jerusalem). Using the map on page 335 of Gardner's text, identify two churches that you'll visit along the way and discuss the art and architecture and how these speak to or connect with you as a religious pilgrim on a long and dangerous journey.

Discussion 7.3: Taoist notions of landscape

The reading "Buddhist and Taoist influences on Chinese Landscape Painting" discusses some correspondences between Chinese philosophical and religious thought and the idea of landscape that emerge in China during the Song period. Discuss what landscape means when viewed through the Taoist notions discussed in the reading and then examine and interpret examples of Song landscapes presented in Gardner's text.

Discussion 8.1: Gothic architectural components

In The Gothic Enterprise, Robert Scott discusses various philosophical, scientific, and religious ideas that were embedded within Gothic Cathedral construction. Identify and discuss two specific ideas and their architectural implementation. In the process of discussing these components make sure to identify the specific buildings that you have identified as examples of these ideas and the way in which these ideas were embedded within the structures.

Discussion 8.2: Changing styles in period art

We have seen the representation of the human form change throughout the various periods that were examined this semester. In the late Byzantine and Gothic art that you examined this week, we see the movement to styles that will set the stage for what we see in the Renaissance period. Discuss the manner of representation that we see in the presentation of figural form in this period.

How has it changed from what we examined in the Medieval and Romanesque art that we viewed last week?

Discussion 8.3: Art from the Americas

The art of the Americas differs from much of what we discussed this semester. Select one site from the Americas and discuss the religious and cultural context for the art produced. To do this, identify a specific object or building from the site and explain the rationale (religious, cultural, political or some combination of these) behind its creation. In other words...what does this thing mean? Why was it created and for whom? How did the people interpret this item?

Last but not least...why did you select this item and site and why do you find this item of interest? In order to adequately answer the last part of that question you must find a site, object, or item that you find interesting. Any answer that includes the words...because it was required or a statement in any way similar to this will not fulfill the requirements of this discussion question.

Discussion 8.3: Art from the Americas

The art of the Americas differs from much of what we discussed this semester. Select one site from the Americas and discuss the religious and cultural context for the art produced.

To do this, identify a specific object or building from the site and explain the rationale (religious, cultural, political or some combination of these) behind its creation. In other words...what does this thing mean? Why was it created and for whom? How did the people interpret this item? Last but not least...why did you select this item and site and why do you find this item of interest?

In order to adequately answer the last part of that question you must find a site, object, or item that you find interesting. Any answer that includes the words...because it was required or a statement in any way similar to this will not fulfill the requirements of this discussion question.