Week 12 Blog Reese

1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.  I chose the videos Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art of the 50’s and 60’s and Andy Warho:  Images of an Image for this week’s video review.  The reason I choose to watch the video on Pop Art in the 50’s and 60’s was that I do not know much about art from that period.  I selected the Andy Warhol film because I have heard what an interesting man he was and knew little about him and his art. 
2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.  The most interesting thing I learned from this video was that Expressionism is not as much what you are seeing but what you feel.  In addition, Pop Art and Abstract artist works in the dark, each painting is an experiment.  The end is not necessarily the completion, but something he might build upon.  I learned that Andy Warhol made art of ordinary products such as, Coke bottles, soup cans, and actors.  I can see art in what he creates, but I find it hard to compare it to Monet. 
3. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?  For me the videos always help to bring together the concepts that we cover in our reading each week.  I feel the reading gives us an idea, but the videos bring it to life. 
4. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?  As I mentioned previously, I think the videos add depth to the concepts by bringing life to the topic.  Having someone in the film that has true experience in relation to the topic is far more valuable than reading it from the book.  I think the book is informative, but the videos are far more educational.