'Wanderer in the mists' (1818) Caspar David Friedrich
'Untitled #2" (2002) Richard Misrach
'Untitled # 394-03' (2003) Richard Misrach
1. What and when was the Enlightenment?
It's a movement in 18th-century thought that aimed to combat superstition and prejudice and place human betterment above the supernatural.There is little consensus on when to date the start of the age of Enlightenment and some scholars simply use the beginning of the 18th century or the middle of the 18th century as a default date.
2.
Define the concept of the Sublime. The sublime has been a predominate concept of aesthetic theory in Western art and philosophy, receiving its more explicit formulation in early eighteenth century philosophy. Its presence as a concept in Native American aesthetics is not as explicitly stated as it is in Western thought, but there are strong indications that the sublime as an aesthetic property of Native American culture has been in evidence for centuries.
3. How did the concept of the Sublime come out of the Enlightenment thought?
The previous view of nature was that of unimportance. It was shown, but only as a background to something considered more important. The Enlightenment gave landscape importance in its own right by making it a form of religious expression. Wordsworth felt nature to be a lesson for humanity in harmony and endurance. The Enlightenment broadened the concept of a spiritual experience, raising nature and the sublime as a result.
4. Discuss the subject matter, and aesthetic (look) of Misrach's work to identify the Sublime in his work. Add some more images of his work.
Misrach’s uses a unique perspective, sometimes from a great height, giving them a somewhat unnatural feel to them. They really fill you with a feeling of awe and humble you, in the same way that sublime philosophy describes.The vast ocean ,crystal clear water,strong sunlight,tiny people ,and small objects ,representing vulnerable.When I look at the picture I can feel the strong sense of nature and the intense feeling of ambiguilty to this photos,making people about the story behind them.It's give me a really calm and sense of tranquility when I looked at the picture.
5. Identify some other artists or designers that work with ideas around the Sublime, from the Enlightenment era as well as contemporary artists.
Virginia Mak looks at the individual's relationship to nature, as seen in Untitled #7, Hidden Nature, 2003
Although the image is blurry but the photography fills me with a sense of tranquility.The lady was engrossed by the nature.This makes me think how big the nature is.Virginia Mak has used the concept of sublime.The way he takes the photographs of people and the background also represent the
direct link between landscape and divinity.
6. How does Misrach's photography make you feel? Does it appeal to your imagination?
This appeals to my imagination because it just shows how limitless nature is and in turn how limitless creativity and beauty is.
7. Add a Sublime image of your choice to your blog, which can be Art or just a Sublime photograph.
8. Reference your sources (books and websites).
http://www.selectedworks.co.uk/sublime.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment
http://www.pdnphotooftheday.com/2010/01/3367
The enlightenment was a movement that took place in the 18th century. Since the enlightenment took place it gave people the right to experience, study and gain knowlegde of the natural landscape and the world around them which brought out the thought of the sublime. I agree with you, when you say that misarch uses a unique perspective as how he places the camera to get that perfect angle to show off not only his models/objects but also the surroundings such as the landscap or the natural belongings of the earth. I think that Misarch's work appeals to evryones imagination showing how perfect the world can be without any technology, just having the natural calm view.
ReplyDeleteThe enlightenment period was the beginning of explaining things through reason and logic as opposed to accepting something functions a way due to a mysterious act as a fact. It allowed them to re-discover everything and innovate everything like society, economics and land which eventually lead to the sublime thought. In my opinion, the aesthetics of Misarch's work incorporates the sumblime concept well as there's great emphasis on the natural background and would appeal to a wide variety of viewers.
ReplyDeleteEnlightenment period most probably would be the period where people back then in the society starts to realise and to search for their own rights, the right to speak what they think about the world, the changes might need to be considered around this society, and freedom.
ReplyDeleteMisarch's work are mostly with landscapes artworks, with a high perspective angles towards his artwork, this gives me the feeling of " sublime " which i feel im on top of what im seeing on the image, i am really interested in Misarch's way of using this kind of method through image communicating with viewers.
i think everyone is right in saying its where people began to explore outside of normality and beginning to explain things through reason. also think Misarch's work is one which really goes in depth of the ideology of the sublime where the landscape is shown in its most beautiful areas. I think the Virginia mak piece is terrific to explore the sublime as it does show a environment and creates a mysterious feel with the foggy look creating the idea of we dont know whats out there in nature and the need to explore it.
ReplyDeleteI found some young artist they make piece is to represent sublime very wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThe enlightenment directly challenged the religious world-view about nature, society and man. Due to this occurrence people began challenging the church's view about pretty much everything after having believed and followed it for most of their lifetime. I also agree that people began to explore unknown ideas that weren't practiced or accepted during this era. They started understanding the concept of freedom of speech which was unusual for their time. I also agree that Misrach's photography "shows how limitless nature is and in turn how limitless creativity and beauty is." It leaves us with an appreciation for nature especially in a country like New Zealand.
ReplyDeletei agree with what your impressions of Misrach’s work and how the works are calming to the eye and asthetic appeal and showing the true beauty of nature through the tropical beach i also agree that there is a story behined it as there are many stories behind art works. I also think the enlightenment movment was a gateway to new things comming away from the churches teachings about the natural laws and truly embracing natural elemants of nature. i alkso agree what you said about Misrach's work and how limitless natural beauty is. not only does it show natural beauty it also showcases a identity of a country for example new zealand is known for its beautiful land marks such as mauntains and rivvers.
ReplyDeletei agree with you that true beauty of nature can be shown through tropical beaches
ReplyDeleteI agree that "The Enlightenment gave landscape importance in its own right by making it a form of religious expression." I like how the enlightenment did give landscapes a greater purpose and how this helped landscapes progress artwork into a visual representation of sublimity
ReplyDeletePersonally, both of Enlightenment and sublime are very serious and abstract meaning to me.
ReplyDeleteThat’s why some of statement that you wrote, I couldn’t understand actually but I think the meaning of sublime related with natural things such as mountain, river, and sea even the landscape. Also, the artist that subject from the blog, Richard Misrach who represented exactly the landscape from environment (natural). When I look for his photography it was really nice and I cannot explain when I saw it first. He working was extremely focused on the nature environment and also I can feel as realistic from the picture.