Early Islamic art has hugely influenced by the Bysatine and Sansanian empires that were absorbed into Islamic culture. There was form official form of Islamic art until the state was more established and yet still had heavy influences from previous cultures. Pottery and glass are the two popular forms of art during this time, a famous piece of clay is a Stucco relief-plaque that features a Iranian man on horseback conquering. Glass work featured late-Roman styles and was beautifully sculpted.
During Early Medieval times Islam states had gained power and were expanding to Sicily, Egypt and Syria. Islam states respected religious tolerance and these new territories flourished with different religions living side by side in harmony. Egypt and Syria were experiencing a Golden Age and the art of this time flourished. Gold-work, crystal, and jewelry were very extensive during this age. Social status was represented by the artwork that people were now wearing. Right before Late Medieval times, Spain experienced a change in rule and become conservative with the artwork in the country and branched into a ceramic based art category.
Late Medieval times were during the Mongolian conquer of Middle Eastern Nations and some European nations. The movement of Chinese culture into the Islamic states heavily influenced artwork. Older styles were still practiced, which included luster ceramics, metal work, and glasswork. Styles that included more colors and silver were incorporated. Art at this time heavily focused on manuscript writing and paintings, a famous example of this is the Shanama. Mongolian influence is recognized with the appearance of lotuses, peonies, clouds, dragons and phoenixes in many paintings. Artwork is always going to be influenced by political power and cultural groups present in society. Artwork will be changing and growing to compensate for societal beliefs and views.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
AUCX 190: MEDITERRANEAN STUDIES: Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' (Day Two: Books 4 and 6)
AUCX 190: MEDITERRANEAN STUDIES: Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' (Day Two: Books 4 and 6)
The story of The Minydes and Hermaphroditus both have a common theme of naive knowledge of society and the gods. The story about the Minydes incorporates multiple greek stories, where the mistresses take these stories and give them their own meaning. They dishonor the knowledge of the gods and group together to undermine this knowledge. Each girl tells their own story Arsippe tells the story of Pyramus and Thisbe, Leuconoe tells the the story of Mars and Venue, and Alcithoe tells the story of Salmacis. All of these stories end with the demise of humans. The demise of humans comes from their deception of the gods, very ironic. By the end of all this story telling and plotting to undermine the stories of gods the Minydes are turned into bats.
The story of Hermaphroditus has a more vague theme than The Minydes story, but it is still common and has to do with naive knowledge. Hermaphroditus is a child of male and female appearance, but he is of male sex at this time. He leaves home and is venturing around the forest and his attention is captivated by a beautiful pool of water. Without further thought about the dangers of this pool or what it could be he jumps in. His inexperienced youth causes him to be attacked by a water nymph who falls in love with his body. Hermaphroditus and the nymph merge into one being and he is forever both and neither man and woman.
All of these stories end with the demise of humans because of punishment from the gods, wish granting on a supernatural's wish in Hermaphroditus' case or by interacting with gods. Humans that do not think their decisions for or despise the gods pay for their actions heavily in these stories.
The story of The Minydes and Hermaphroditus both have a common theme of naive knowledge of society and the gods. The story about the Minydes incorporates multiple greek stories, where the mistresses take these stories and give them their own meaning. They dishonor the knowledge of the gods and group together to undermine this knowledge. Each girl tells their own story Arsippe tells the story of Pyramus and Thisbe, Leuconoe tells the the story of Mars and Venue, and Alcithoe tells the story of Salmacis. All of these stories end with the demise of humans. The demise of humans comes from their deception of the gods, very ironic. By the end of all this story telling and plotting to undermine the stories of gods the Minydes are turned into bats.
The story of Hermaphroditus has a more vague theme than The Minydes story, but it is still common and has to do with naive knowledge. Hermaphroditus is a child of male and female appearance, but he is of male sex at this time. He leaves home and is venturing around the forest and his attention is captivated by a beautiful pool of water. Without further thought about the dangers of this pool or what it could be he jumps in. His inexperienced youth causes him to be attacked by a water nymph who falls in love with his body. Hermaphroditus and the nymph merge into one being and he is forever both and neither man and woman.
All of these stories end with the demise of humans because of punishment from the gods, wish granting on a supernatural's wish in Hermaphroditus' case or by interacting with gods. Humans that do not think their decisions for or despise the gods pay for their actions heavily in these stories.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
AUCX 190: MEDITERRANEAN STUDIES: Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' (Day One: Books 1 and 3)
AUCX 190: MEDITERRANEAN STUDIES: Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' (Day One: Books 1 and 3):
Book One:
After reading a little further into the story I recognized similar stories to the ones we read in Genesis. The gods created humans to rule all things on earth, but then the humans were curious about other things in life that angered the gods. Humans became less naive and simple. These changes the gods thought were ruining the human race so they flooded the world. All of these stories connect with Adam and Eve, Noah's Ark and other stories of human corruption. I am assuming Genesis was written before these stories so these stories might very well be based on Genesis. There are still many differences between the two texts. Metamorphoses includes a lot of details, the formation of earth alone is a very detailed story it explains the reasoning for each being formed. I enjoyed how the book included scenes of the gods discussing what to do next and described the setting they are present in above the sky. It would be interesting to see how many other stories in this region are similar to Genesis.
Book Three:
Tiresias tells the story of Venus, which is the Greek god Aphrodite. He tells us that Venus was born a man, but after touching two snakes became a woman? It sounds a little wild and this is what I got from his story. It is an ironic story because Venus is the goddess of love and having been a man originally almost contradicts the meaning of this goddess. Is Tiresias saying that men can also love like women or that they are very similar to each other? Tiresias could also just be crazy since he has lost his vision and believes he is a prophet.
Tiresias tells the story of Venus, which is the Greek god Aphrodite. He tells us that Venus was born a man, but after touching two snakes became a woman? It sounds a little wild and this is what I got from his story. It is an ironic story because Venus is the goddess of love and having been a man originally almost contradicts the meaning of this goddess. Is Tiresias saying that men can also love like women or that they are very similar to each other? Tiresias could also just be crazy since he has lost his vision and believes he is a prophet.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
AUCX 190: MEDITERRANEAN STUDIES: Plato's 'Republic'
AUCX 190: MEDITERRANEAN STUDIES: Plato's 'Republic': For this reading, please pick two passages from the text that interest or intrigue you and write about them. What do you think Plato reveals...
The passage between 55b and 555c discusses the "transformation from an oligarchy to a democracy" and that the wish to become a democracy is because gentlemen want to become "as rich as possible". I find these comic and ironic, compared to today's democracy it is the complete opposite. With democracy there is a greater spread of wealth and fairness throughout the society, while in a tyranny or oligarchic governed society the rich are rich and there are a lot of unmonitored poor people. Around section 555d distribution of wealth is addressed and the idea of how that many people can be treated fairly. During Plato's time politicians were discussing important matters that we are still trying to fix in our on government.
Another topic discussed that is very interesting is between passages 556a and 556c. The text examines the issues of laws and virtue. Is this the time when basic laws were being developed after the 'Ten Commandments"? The gentlemen in the text discuss how laws will keep criminals and angry individuals at bay. How their virtues will hold them back from being dishonorable. Later in the text in 557a democracy is defined as "when the poor win, killing some of the others and casting some...share the regime and ruling offices." This statement seems insane, but if you take it into consideration that is what the American Revolution was. Interesting.
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