Explanation:
What did Ferren’s Dad teach him about art? Do you agree with this idea? Why or why not?
Farren's dad taught him that art was not about being decorative, but that it should communicate ideas on a different level. Through the art, his dad said, we could bridge knowledge and insight.
I agree with the idea mostly – art is indeed a great way of communicating and transforming the ideas, bridging them together, as well as connecting people and their thoughts, but some of the art is done only for the sake of art.
However, we have had a whole movement in the 19th century that went under the slogan "Art for art's sake" – that art should be done only for the sake of itself. It doesn't mean that art doesn't communicate still, but artists don't always make art with this sole purpose.
How did Ferren learn about engineering, if not in school? How might this have been similar to how the ancient cultures learned engineering?
He was experimenting on his own, taking apart machines and devices, exploring them, making them work again, as well as through his grandfather's influence and knowledge.
Farren was, as well as ancient cultures, learning engineering on trial and error, by exploring stuff on his own and not relying on the pre-prepared formal education. In the ancient times, people had to invent things from zero as they did not know what we know now, had to experiment, learn on the mistakes, look into what is made previously, and then make up the best possible way to make things work.
What moment does Ferren say changed his life? Explain.
The moment he learned the roof of the Pantheon was done in ancient times and that there was no modern architecture behind it. He jokingly said this was the first time he realized ancient people were smart – he realized it wasn't just the force that builds it, but the knowledge and engineering. He also realized how light can be designed and what important role it made into the making of Pantheon. With this all he realized Pantheon was the product of engineer and hard work, as well as art and craft.
By this, he realized art and engineering, mastery and technology, can – and should – be combined to make something special and amazing.
What are some similarities or differences between the architecture of the Pantheon that Ferren describes and the Greek architecture described in the unit?
Pantheon is made out of heavy concrete and puts the accent on the massiveness, arches, and domes in its design. On the other side, Greeks used more arches and pillars to make more light looking buildings. The techniques of the structure were sometimes the same, but Pantheon is more massive and ornamented than just structural.
What does Ferren feel will help people of today create another masterpiece like the Pantheon for the modern world? Do you agree? Explain
He thinks broad knowledge, multidisciplinarity, various skills and passion in certain people will make them produce a new masterpiece. Nourishing people since they are children, giving them love and care, and encouraging them to try and fail is also a key thing because people won't discover these passions and love for knowledge by themselves.
I do agree with this because all the masterpieces in the world started with not only knowledge but a passion. Someone really needs to put heart and soul if they want to make something as huge as Pantheon, and for that, they need to be encouraged. Making of anything big includes failing and trying many times in order to succeed, but on the end acceptance of this process can lead to success.
The unit explained that the human form was often depicted in Ancient Greek artwork, but according to the video, what else can be learned about Greek history from the artwork?
We can also learn about language, way of life, invasions, their rites and how they spent their everyday life. For example, from the artwork, we could see Linear A and Linear B languages, early forms of the Greek language.
Does the fresco seen in the video have anything in common with the various types of Greek paintings that you learned about in the unit? Explain.
There is a similarity in the way Greeks painted animals, everyday images, nature, and common life, with the Mycenean frescos we see in the video. They are also both done in colors. The Greek paintings were later more realistic, but the topics and themes depicted and painted are done similarly.
According to the video, what were the Myceneans good at doing
Myceneans were good at combining things they liked in art and architecture. They appropriated other cultures mixing their own style with the other styles they came across. The would put hard work into it, came up with new ideas and combined cultures and pieces of knowledge. For example, they were in awe of Minoans and in a way they imitated their ideas about frescos and wall painting, but in a more sophisticated way. Their beehive burial grounds are also resembling Egyptian tombs.
