The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, occurred in the 18th century when man began to use his reason to discover the world to cast off the superstition and fear of the medieval world. The effort to discover the natural laws which governed the universe led to scientific, political and social advances. Enlightenment thinkers examined the rational basis of all beliefs and in the process rejected the authority of church and state.
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment
The development of the concept of the sublime as an aesthetic quality in nature distinct from beauty was first brought into prominence in the 18th century. It was then when an appreciation of the fearful and irregular forms of external nature started to take form. The web definition of the sublime also means ‘lifted up, high in place, exalted aloft, uplifted and lofty.’
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sublime_(philosophy)
-http://www.dictionary.net/sublime
During the enlightenment, people were more curious of the ‘natural laws which governed the earth’ as oppose to the laws of the bible. It was due to this new curiosity and change in the 18th century that people began to discover and gain an appreciation of the natural beauties of this world rather what the church declared as beauty. It was then when the concept of the sublime came out of the enlightenment.
The subject matters in both of Misrach’s works seem to be humans who look miniature in comparison to the environment due to the chosen camera view point. Due to this we are left to appreciate the beauty of the natural environment photographed rather than the model itself. The landscape dominates the image and leaves us to admire and fall in love with the scenery. The concept of the sublime seems to be present on most of Misrach’s photographs as he always tries to express that ‘when you look more closely, it (the world) is as beautiful as it is terrible.’ Also, Misrach bases his work around the theme of nature and its unique beauty.
-http://www.google.co.nz/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=richard+misrach&oe=UTF-8&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1366&bih=575
-http://www.artnet.com/awc/richard-misrach.html
Interactive installation (2006) Maurizio Bolognini
Since 2000 Bolognini has concentrated on combining the Programmed Machines with communication devices, as in the Collective Intelligence Machines series. These are interactive installations connecting some of his generative machines to the mobile telephone network, to allow a real-time Delphi-like interaction by members of the public. These installations delegate choices to both electronic devices and processes of communication and e-democracy with the aim of involving the audience in new forms of “generative, interactive and public art”.
Maurizio Bolognini's work is considered relevant to the theory of the "technological sublime" and the aesthetics of flux (as opposed to the aesthetics of form), and has been seen as a further development of conceptual art within new media art. This piece is an interactive installation which aims to involve the audience in the experience of the manipulation and consumption of the technological sublime.
Morning on the Dnieper River (1881) Archip Kuindzhi
In 1872 the artist left the academy he had been studying at and worked as a freelancer. This painting was done during the enlightenment also when the concept of the sublime was introduced. This concept is present in his works as he also created pieces that explored the appreciation of nature. During the middle of 1870s he created a number of paintings in which the landscape motif was designed for concrete social associations in the spirit of Peredvizhniki (a group of Russian realist artists who in protest at academic restrictions formed an artists' cooperative which evolved into the Society for Traveling Art Exhibitions in 1870). In his mature period Kuindzhi aspired to transfer the most expressive on illumination of a condition of the nature. He applied composite receptions (high horizon, etc.), creating panoramic views. Using light effects and intense colors shown in main tones, he depicted the illusion of illumination.
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurizio_Bolognini
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archip_Kuindshi
Misrach’s work leaves me feeling relaxed due to its natural appeal. The images are very calming as they focus on the beauty of nature. The colours used are also quite bright as oppose to dark saddening colours. The small figures present in both his works leave our imaginations to wonder as to what they are doing and what their facial expressions portray. We see what they see only we don’t get quite so close to the model to see and understand their perspective on the environment.
The valley ranch (1917) Colin Campbell Cooper
The 18th century and the Enlightenment is something I admire, People decided that they did not need the rules and opinions of the church to decide what is beautiful and what is not and that nature holds both beauty and darkness, and with that came a sense of uniqueness as everyone could have their own opinion and could not be wrong. What someone may find ugly another will find beauty.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Richard Misrach's work I find makes me stop and stare closer after the first glance, it seems to make my eyes wander across the picture as I think it leaves a sense of mystery by not allowing us to see the peoples expressions thus making us focus on the surrounding nature instead of the people, giving us a sense of how small we really are compared to our world.
The Enlightnement era and the concpet of the sublime is something quite interesting, i agree with you when you say that in this moment of time people became more curious of ‘natural laws which governed the earth’ as oppose to the laws of the bible. I think that when the sublime took place people finally bagan to realise the natural beauty of the earth and how it actually shows us who we are. I also agree that Misarch uses models (people) in his artwork but still has a way to show that the landscape is what he is actually wanting to show everyone and shows us the beauty in earth that he see's.
ReplyDeleteThe era of the enlightnement is an interesting era and i agree with you that its the era where the focus of superstition shifted to scientifict and political facts and knowledge. Its intereting to see the shift through artwork and how it was expressed through individuals creativity.
ReplyDeleteIn this artist model, the work does make me want to stop and take a second glance as the subject matter of the landscape is somthing where we admire the beauty in nature, thus giving the idea of natural beauty. I also agree with your point when you say " The images are very calming as they focus on the beauty of nature" as they too give off a relaxing atmosphere.
"Landscape could not aspire to the "higher" aims of art-education and inspiration".Then we see this "shift through artwork" showing progress and advancement. When I look at Misrach's work I almost feel as If I'm in the work itself. That's the sort of feeling all his pieces evoke for me. There is a better understanding of nature after viewing each work and a appreciation. It almost seems that the work itself is endless.
ReplyDeleteEnlightenment is also the era in the western philosophy, this era have introduce the period in western history and the corresponding movement’s agree with you when you said that “during the enlightenment people were more curious of the natural laws which governed the earth as oppose to the law of the bible” its true that in the past people believe in god and have the authority to protect the natural land. I also agree with you when you said “Misrach’s work leaves me feeling relaxed due to its natural appeal” because it’s true that Richard Misrach’s works gives the feeling of touching the beauty of natural.
ReplyDeleteI agree with how Richard Misrach's work shows the relationship that exists between man and the landscape. He is able to capture the power of nature and show just how insignificant people seem to be, which is emphasized by his camera angle viewpoints. I agree and thank the Enlightenment era for opening our eyes towards the world around us and showing us there is beauty all around us. Who knows what art would be like right now without this advancement?
ReplyDeleteI like how you mentioned 'when you look more closely, it (the world) is as beautiful as it is terrible.' this reflects with misrach's art work and gives me the feeling that i would intend to look more closely to each of his artwork, since most of his art work are more of landscape and gives the "never ending" idea.
ReplyDeleteEnlightenment is a very interesting era, specially when people back in the days where they are starting to change their point of view and actions towards everything; freedom is what they want, they want to speak up, they don't want to hide everything anymore.
Hey Cyndee!
ReplyDeleteYeah I agree with what you said in Q4 about how he uses the concept of sublime in his images. He does make the landscape dominate the image which gives the viewer and overwhelming experience. It’s interesting where you stated how he tries to express the beauty versus the danger of the world because in an interview he comments “These photographs are about how people are able in the face of huge tragedy to continue on and do things and have a good time and play and relax on the beach.” His photographs may seem very calm and the people in them seem to be having a great time, but there is also a tension in the air which he tries to capture in his images.
Also, Misrach bases his work around the theme of nature and its unique beauty. I agree with the fact that you said that the humans in his images look so miniscule to the landscape that it makes you appreciate the beauty of the landscape. because every time i look at his images like these the colours and scape of the water or the beach look so big and fresh it makes me think that we are so small in this world. I also agree with quote you have put in by misrach ‘when you look more closely, it (the world) is as beautiful as it is terrible.’ because it says a lot of what he is trying to display in his photographs, some of his photographs are showing the gestures of people falling from space like the idea of people falling from the twin towers and landing. However, he has compared the terrible things like suicide and disasters like the twin towers in his work to create a sense of therapy for himself. He believes that the world and ocean is a scary yet beautiful large thing which is why he is comparing humans with the sublime.
ReplyDeletei agree the enlightenment made people curious about the natural laws opposed to the natural laws of the bible leading them into discovery that appreciated natural elements opposed to subject matter such as a portrait. in my opnion the sublime and enlightnment is a very beautiful form of art movement apprciating nature as it is rather then focousing on one subjectin comparision to one whole. I also think that this form of artcould be compared to the art movement mercantillism which is another art period thatlooked away from the churches teachings.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point that with the enlightenment and sublime, society began to view the world more for its beauty, as opposed to following the opinion of the church. Without this secularization, landscape art would not have developed in such a way that it could have so much impact, in that it could have potentially remained an art form that is just informative, rather than having the impact that the works you, and other people have shown in their blogs, have on the viewer. For example, if any one of these works were to be viewed without the move away from the church, they would just be images that show the viewer what an area looks like, and they wouldn't have as much deep meaning to them.
ReplyDeletei find this very interesting how you described the enlightenment. i like how you said that "During the enlightenment, people were more curious of the ‘natural laws which governed the earth’ as oppose to the laws of the bible." i think this is true and i would concider this as being the birth of individuality and the move away from the religious side of things. the sublime is also interesting and we see this in Misrach’s photographs as he always tries to express that ‘when you look more closely, it (the world) is as beautiful as it is terrible.’
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