Video Review Module 10

Buddhism

African Art: Legacy of Oppression


1. Explain why you selected each of the TWO videos you choose from the selection listed above.

I selected to watch the video on Buddhism out of personal interest after reading about it in the textbook.  I chose the video on African Art: Legacy of Oppression out of interest also.  I took a history class a few semesters ago and we read the novel "King Leopold's Ghost" which they talk about in the film and that book was horrifying and moving.

2. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

Buddhism split into two groups within a 100 years of Buddha's death; monks and the rest.  Buddha's death brought a flowering of Buddhist art and architecture.  I learned that every Stupa has a story to tell and that the sculptures and images on the outside are for the illiterate people.  Beyond this entry is the path to enlightenment and follows a circular path which must be walked in a clockwise direction.  Buddhism spread to Indonesia and there houses the largest Buddhist pyramid or stupa and is a Buddhist mecca.
The video about African Art: Legacy of Oppression was very interesting.  The Congo region has more than 250 cultures.  They beautifully design normal everyday objects and they are used as art and called magical.  The most magical object is the mask.  In a mask the color white is meant to represent health and black is used to represent sickness.  Some of the masks were used to scare or intimidate.  When I got to the part on King Leopold and what he had done to the people of the Congo brought back all that I had learned from a history class as mentioned earlier.  

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?
The videos add another level to the textbook readings.  It is helpful to be able to see the concepts from the textbook readings more in-depth.  Being able to see the narrator walking around the path on the stupa brought a much greater understanding.  In the video on African art it went into more detail about the masks and what their art was used for. 
3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?
Both film were very good.  I think the film on African Art: Legacy of Oppression should be a mandatory film.  It is important not only for art and culture, but also history.  Many people do not know that this existed and they should.  I think both films by showing the culture helps to gain a better understanding.  I now understand the concept of a stupa much better.  It also was nice to know the reasoning behind the art and what it is used for.