The Enlightenment was the philosophical, intellectual and cultural movement of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It was the interest of the observation and examination of human life, human society and the universe itself. The Enlightenment introduced humankind to a new idea that through the use of education and reason, human life could be more improved. With this idea, it created conflicts which challenged the political and religious organizations for their authorities. The Enlightenment wanted to advice humankind that through science and reason the outcome of living life would be better.
2. Define the concept of the Sublime.
Sublime : aesthetic category associated with ideas of awe, intensity ruggedness, terror, and vastness emphasizing Man's relative insignificance in the face of Nature, arousing emotions, and stimulating the imagination. It was therefore distinct from the beautiful and the picturesque, and was of profound importance in relation to an appreciation of the grandeur and violence of natural phenomena.
- Encyclopedia.com
3. How did the concept of the Sublime come out of the Enlightenment thought?
A range of artists during the Enlightenment era started to focus and recognize the beauty of nature, which therefore introduced a new idea exploring human life, and the vast greatness of the universe.
4. Discuss the subject matter, and aesthetic (look) of Misrach's work to identify the Sublime in his work. Add some more images.
Richard Misrach is an American photographer known for his captivating works that exposes the beauty of nature itself. He has been photographing the American desert for more than twenty years and has been a successful artist in contemporary photography since then. Misrach’s shares his passion on revealing the spectacular scenes of nature towards his viewers by capturing every glance of natural creation.
His work relates to the Sublime because he focuses and reveals the different characteristics of nature, which features landscapes and/or seascapes.
5. Identify some other artists or designers that work with these ideas around the sublime, from the Enlightenment era as well as contemporary artists.
Caspar David Friedrich , Viviano Codazzi
6. How does Misrach's photography make you feel? Does it appeal to your imagination?
Misrach’s photography of the landscapes is somewhat surreal and divine for viewers like myself. Words such as calmness, tranquility and beauty spring into mind which therefore draws my attention, wanting to see more of the natural sceneries that are featured here on earth. I give credit to Misrach’s work for his passion of capturing magnificent sceneries and landscapes.
7. Add a Sublime image of your choice to your blog, which can be Art or just a Sublime photograph.
References
Robert Wilde (n.d.) The Enlightenment,Introduction to the Enlightenment. Retrieved April 28th , 2010, from http://europeanhistory.about.com/od/thenineteenthcentury/a/enlightenment.htm
I think you have done a good job answering the questions. Just for question 1, different sources say the enlightenment period in the early 1700's and others say it is the late 1700's. This makes it hard to actually know when the enlightenment actually was. For question 6, my view on how the type of work makes you feel is like also like yours. I also believe that it gives the feeling of emptiness, purity and calmness. Everything else is good and think you have answered the questions well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mitchell !
ReplyDeleteThey say in the first three seconds you make up your mind whether or not to like something when exposed to it for the first time and after that its very hard to change your view. However when seeing Misrach's work for the first time, or the second, or the third I just cant get over how amazing his shots really are. To capture something that beautiful before it vanishes, whether it be due to - weather change or physical change or obstruction of some sort - it is a real art. I especially like the one of the sky with the pink hue, its very beautiful.
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ReplyDeleteI really like Richard Misrach's photography. The pictures that you have submitted on your Blog are beautiful. His works makes me feel relaxed and calm, his work is so 'soft' like candyfloss which makes it very elegant! e.g the clouds from the 2nd picture that u submitted. Anyway good job on answering the questions:) thanks for dropping a comment on mine!
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ReplyDeleteHey Charize! good job on this blog i was actually really interested in your own personal response to Richard Misrach's work. I can say i fully agree with seeing something surreal and the evidence of beauty in his photography, but at first i had found it amusing that we had contrasting reactions. Mine being an eerie and daunting atmosphere while you see calmness and tranquility. Although from the images you have uploaded i can see how you may find peace in the captured landscapes. You have somewhat changed my views and opinions on his work, you could say 'broadened my horizons' on Misrach's photography xD .
ReplyDeleteAlso very interesting research! I found that your other mentioned artists were also worth looking at, good blog charize!
Richard Misrach's works may very good represent the Sublime,and I really like his works.we may see the most profound human essence in each magnificent seascape.
ReplyDeletelike Richard Misrach said in 1987:
As interesting and provocative as the cultural geography might be, the desert may serve as the backdrop for the problematic relationship between man and the environment. The human struggle, the successes and failures, the use and abuse, both noble and foolish, are readily apparent in the desert. Symbols and relationships seem to arise that stand for the human condition itself. It is a simple, if almost incomprehensible equation: the world is as terrible as it is beautiful, but when you look more closely, it is as beautiful as it is terrible. We must maintain constant vigilance, to protect the world from ourselves, and to embrace the world as it exists.
I like how you described the feelings Misrach's photos portray... the clamness and tranquility, but it's also interesting to compare the human figures in his works to the vast natural scenes and realize how powerful they are. It's incredible that something so flat and calm, like one of his beach shots for instance, can turn in an instant and quickly go from beautiful to deadly and unforgiving.
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