The video Through the Eyes of the Sculptor was very informative. I learned some key concepts that I had not necessarily obtained from the reading of the text and I was able to relate ideas from the text to the video. When the video showed any of the clips of carvings from stone I knew that was the subtractive methods as described in the text. The video also showed the use of molds for casting as described in the text. Several new concepts were learned from the video. I learned from the video was how an artist needs to be cautious when choosing stone for a piece. It is important to consider size and stability. They know a stone will be stable by listening to the stone while tapping it with a hammer. This will tell them if there are possible cracks. They also need to consider the direction of the grain of the stone in relation to the finished sculpture. A sculpture often begins first as a pencil sketch, then the additive method of modeling the idea out clay. It is often molded from plaster before finally sculpting from stone. Depending on size a piece may not be completed until it is placed in its final location. Anchors need to be left in place for transportation and carved out when it reaches its destination. Sculptors make use of points and lines to help them determine where the space they need and the space they need to remove in the bulk stone.
I enjoy the videos as they are helpful in being able to visually see the concepts that are described in the reading. The videos also teach many concepts through visual and auditory means not found in the reading. I found it interesting to learn how rock like marble is formed from limestone deep under the sea and rising up to the mountains. It’s amazing to see how such large stones were quarried and transported in the past with no help of modern technology. Even more amazing is that it seems that stone sculptures were more popular then, even though today’s world would allow for easier obtaining and sculpturing of rock. The video shows modern day sculptures using power tools. This also leads to an appreciation of sculptures created when such luxuries didn’t exist. Many times more than one artist works on each sculpture to craft the final master piece. Most of the information in the videos would be difficult to explaining in words through the readings in the text.
The video Glass and Ceramics discusses many key factors. The text reading describes the basic formulation of glass from sand and methods of glass artistry while the video really brings the process of its formation and uses to life. Key concepts include how glass is created from a scientific standpoint. It also discusses ways in which glass can be heated and molded as well as etched while cold. Stain glass artistry is discussed in the text. However, seeing and hearing the process in the video makes it easier to understand. A new use for glass is in the world of architecture. It is not only used for aesthetics but thermal energy efficiency and acoustic functions which actually helps keep heat in. The video shows the function and creation of safety glass such as laminated or tempered glass. These keep the glass together when shattered.
The video relates glass to ceramics and its relationship to heat. Ceramics are clay based and heated and hardened to form ceramic. The text discusses several methods in which clay can be shaped and molded as well as some uses for clay. The video better discusses the differences in heat affecting the outcome of the clay. Higher heat will make a fine china while lower heat is more suitable for bricks.
Ceramics, like sculpturing, also makes use of molds, as explained in the text. This process is shown well in the video. It also describes how this can help with producing many of that same piece, as used with dishes.
There are several uses for ceramics not discussed in the text. It is used in the medical world, as used in hip replacement surgeries. It is also used in car engines for efficiency and even rocketry.
I find these videos helpful as they show concepts discussed in the text but also offer many new ideas not offered by the text. Learning additional information adds to what was read and allows me to relate the two sources of information to achieve deeper understanding.
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