Module 6 Video Review

“Through the Eyes of the Sculptor” main points:

• Limestone is sedimentary stone that forms in the bottom of the ocean. It is porous and easy to carve,but does not fall apart, making it a good material for sculptors.
• At 15 the artist became a stone carver and specialized in the restoration of historical monuments
• During his work in restoration, the statues were left largely untouched, leading him to want to delve into creating his own figures
• Restoration=following a guideline and a set plan    Sculpting=following your own artistic individual decisions
• The artist works on more than one piece at a time to keep his ideas fresh
• When looking at a piece the artist looks for, aesthetic, modeling, shape, and for everything to interact cohesively.
• The artist must also take into consideration the environment the piece will be in when it is finished.
• Weak points on a sculpture are reinforced with “bridges”
• The sculpture is first sketched, then carved in clay, then made in plaster, then finished in marble.

“Glass and Ceramics” main points:

• Both glass and ceramics play a major role in a large variety of ways in our day to day lives
• Glass is made from sand. The sand and fluxes are super heated until it melts. It is then shaped into any number of things, and when it cools, it becomes clear and hard, and becomes glass.
• Glass can be melted, bent, or engraved in an endless number of ways.
• Ceramics is closely related to glass making
• Clay is formed into the desired shape, then fired until rock hard. The rock hard piece is then coated in glaze (fine particles and flux) and fired again. The glaze melts and hardens, creating a glassy and waterproof coating.
• Ceramics and glass can also be used in a multitude of technology based settings.
• Glass is largely used in architecture.
• Glass can insulate and soundproof a building.
• Glass can also be altered to be shatter or bullet proof.

The videos helped me understand the themes of the text better. It was interesting to learn about how artistic techniques and craft are used in everyday objects and architecture. It expanded my view on what can be considered art.