Values and Vanities What does our public art say about us?

Values 4. values: [plural] principles or beliefs. the principles and beliefs that influence the behavior and way of life of a particular group or community Vanity 1. being too proud of yourself or your appearance. the fact of being too proud of your abilities, or too interested in your appearance

How does this monument reflect American values?

How does this monument reflect American vanities?

Public Works of Art Symbols of Society’s Values or Vanity?

excavated from surrounding rock Monoliths

Stonehenge, England 2500 B.C.E.

Easter Island (off coast of S.America) A.D.

Olmec Civilization, Mexico 1200–900 BCE

any man-made structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or continuous occupancy, Buildings

Taq-I Kisra, Ctesiphon, Ancient Persia 540 AD

The Forbidden City, Beijing

Kuala Lumpur

Twin Towers, NYC

is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person (who has died) or an event. Memorial

Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.

Canadian National Vimy Memorial, 1922

is a tall, narrow, four-sided, tapering monument which ends in a pyramid-like shape at the top Obelisks

Obelisk of Senurset, 1970 (?) B.C.E.

Washington Monument, Washington, D.C.

is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or persons. Tombs and Masoleums

The Sphnix (c.1400 B.C.E.)

Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 1653

a physical structure used for religious activities Religious Sites

Ellora Caves, India, 5 th –10 th century

Ankgor Wat,Cambodia, 12 th century

St. Peter’s Cathedral, Rome

a structure that spans a space while supporting weight Arches

Arch of Constantine 315 A.D.

Gateway to India

is a sculpture in the round representing a person or persons, an animal, or an event, normally full- length, as opposed to a bust, and at least close to life-size, or larger. Statues

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Statue of Liberty, New York The UNESCO "Statement of Significance" describes the statue as a "masterpiece of the human spirit" that "endures as a highly potent symbol—inspiring contemplation, debate and protest—of ideals such as liberty, peace, human rights, abolition of slavery, democracy and opportunity."

The Florence Baptistry Doors A competition for immortality

“The Italian Renaissance began the opening phase of the Renaissance, a period of great cultural change and achievement from the 14th to the 16th century. * excerpt from Wikipedia

The word renaissance (rinascimento in Italian) literally means "rebirth", and the era is best known for the renewed interest in the culture of classical antiquity after the period that Renaissance humanists labeled the Dark Ages.”* * excerpt from Wikipedia

Madonna, by Duccio, 1311 an example of a painting done in the time known as the Dark Ages

Comparison of two Madonnas. from the Dark Ages. from the Renaissance Duccio, Madonna and Child, 1280’s Raphael, Sistine Madonna, 1514

The Italian Renaissance began in Florence. The Medici family ruled there and they were great patrons of the arts.

The Big Three of the Italian High Renaissance These artists actually came later than the period we’re talking about here, but they are names you’ll probably recognize. Michaelangelo Raphael Leonardo da Vinci

A view of the city of Florence

The square of the Duomo, the great cathedral, was the focal point of the Florentine society.

The Duomo facade

The Campanielle designed by Giotto

The dome was designed by Michaelangelo

The Battistero di San Giovanni sits at the center of the square. It is the first cathedral in Florence, built in 1059.

The Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptistery of St John)

The Baptistery’s ceiling

South Doors, Andrea Pisano

The Baptism of Christ, Andrea Pisano, This frame is called a quatrefoil – it means “four leaves ”

In 1401 a competition was announced to find an artist to design the doors for the north side of the building. Two sculptors, the well known Filippo Brunelleschi and the unknown Lorenzo Ghiberti became the two finalists.

Brunelleschi, Sacrifice of Issac, Ghiberti, Sacrifice of Issac, The entries for each artist in the competition

Lorenzo Ghiberti, the North doors,

In 1425 Ghiberti started another set of doors for the baptistery which he did not finish until when Michelangelo saw these doors he said they “were fit to be the Gates of Paradise”. They are known to this day as exactly that.

Lorenzo Ghiberti, Porta del Paradiso,, The Fall of Jericho

What are the values and vanities of ISB?