Video Reviews

I chose this video because I do not know much about African art
African Art: Legacy of Oppression
The color white represents the Spirits of Dead
exaggerations and simplified African images inspired modern artists
Congo cultures glorified chiefs and mothers in art
Valued everyday objects- believed the objects had magical powers
Used masks used to frighten people
King Leopold II conquered the Congo and severely abused natives-kidnapping villagers for slave labor, raping women and forcing natives to bring back rubber so Leopold could profit from it.

I chose this video also because I do not know much about African art and I hoped to gain a better understanding of their stylized form. 
African Art
The making of everyday objects, decoration of homes and dress shows the importance of art in Africa
Most objects made of wood and straw-deteriorate quickly
Drawings on stone of animals are the oldest examples of African art
Egyptian art and lifestyle spread to southern Africa
Bronze statues also survive
Glorified rulers-believed them to be divine
Most 20th century artists viewed African art as primitive and child-like
Perceptual art-artists observation of the world
Conceptual art-flows from artists imagination
African art is more conceptual-Symbolism is important
Was better to make the same thing as someone else but better, than to make a unique object-this perpetuated the same things being created so it helps us to better understand the culture because these objects would otherwise be lost
Masks and sculptures were not mean to represent a person but to conjure spirits
Rigid frontal images are common
Masks are just one aspect of costume used for masquerades
Masks could represent many things

I chose this video because I admire the dedication of the monks in Buddhism and the religion always seemed mystical; which interests me.
Buddhism
Began in India
Siddhartha Gautama born in 563 BCE
Meditated and when he opened his eyes he was "awakened" and enlightened and Buddhism was born
Bodh Gaya-sacred city for Buddhism
Tanha-extinguish all desires and anything that feeds the ego that obstruct enlightenment
Freedom from these meant one could in the world but not a part of it- "middle way"
Buddha wanted to share his enlightenment so founded the religion
Buddhism split into two groups after Buddha's death
hinyana-individuals who wanted to cross to nirvana in a boat they built and rowed them self
manyana-those who wanted to seek companions and wait for ferry to cross to nirvana
Great Stupa tells the story and teachings of Buddha in relief sculptures
Borobudur Temple-stepped pyramid with 3 circular levels on top-made shape of a lotus flower
took 100 years to build
contains 432 carved buddhas
was buried by a volcanic eruption but uncovered in 1815 and restored
Chuang Yen Monastery in Carmel, New York-11.5 meter high statue of Buddha, largest in Western hemisphere and took 8 years to build. 10,000 smaller Buddha statues surround it. Building was erected around the statue

I chose this video in hopes of better understanding the difference between Hinduism and Buddhism.
Hinduism
Varanasi-holy city in India
Ganges river-strong symbol in Hinduism-represents reincarnation
Many pilgrims hope to die in Vernasi because they believe they will escape the cycle of reincarnation and go straight to heaven
Believe cremation liberates the spirit
Mamapallarum-where the Ganges turns to stone and reliefs are carved that tell stories
Panch Rathas-temples carved out of a single piece of stone-some with domes and multiple levels
Sex represents the creative life of Brahma (who gave life to everyone)
There are many ways to Brahma

The videos related to the text in several ways. It discussed many of the many concepts of African art that were in the text. They also discussed art in India, which was covered in the text.

The videos aided my understanding because they were more in depth than the text. Also, the videos were able to show multiple examples of works from various cultures, which helps distinguish differences between the cultures.