Module 10

1)  I chose the videos Islamic art in "Africa and Central Asia" and "Hinduism". I viewed these because they seemed to be two areas not popularly covered.  Art and Hinduism don't seem to be brought up in the same sentence and  wanted to see Islam's effect on African art.


2)  In the video on Islamic art one of the major concepts was how different the art was to European art of the Christian religion.  There were no scenes from the bible obviously but actually no scenes of people at all.  The focus of the design and architecture was a creation of a beautiful paradise on earth as interpreted from the Koran and I must say that the mosaics that were produced were simply fantastic, the mosaic used on the roof of the Timur mosque's were incredible it a shame that some have fallen into such disrepair and that the efforts to restore them are not progressing well. Another concept was how he buildings were built not just to compete but out do the Christian architecture and make it there own.  
      The art of Hinduism seems more organic, the rock carvings and statues blend into and incorporate the settings that they are set into the art.  A major concept of the art of the Hindus was its inclusion of the everyday figures along with the cosmic and that inclusion was a major theme.   


 3)  he videos contained greater detail of the works that were covered in the text, and gave insight into the cultures that had produced them.


 4)  My opinion of the videos was that they were very interesting to watch and gave a lot of context to the production of the Mosques.  The more interesting points for me of the videos were how elaborate the tile work was and its symbolic nature of paradise, there were no sinners being ravished by fire for not conforming but a garden of flowers portrayed in color. Except the mud mosques of Africa which are renewed each spring with he rains.  
      The two things from the Hindu video I find most memorable were the productions of temples by the Ratlas brothers carved from one solid rock, they were truly amazing. And I am very happy that the Kandariya Mandev Temple survived the ravishes of the invading muslims and what a find to behold in the middle of the forest, for I am sure that some overly pious individuals would for sure find the nudes offensive.