18 Matching Annotations
  1. Dec 2016
    1. sitors from around the world, have been working since early 2012 on completing the story - taking it up to the coronation of William

      Even centuries after the loss of the tapestry, there is mystery that people are trying to uncover. The completion the piece will provide a great deal of relief and reassurance, but it will also solidify history in a very physical manner.

    1. Through this mapping, the researchers can build an archive of a building’s sound, with all its nuances, echoes, and ricochets, that could survive even if the building fell

      It almost feels like they are describing the church as a human body. The nuances and echoes that that make up the identity of the church are so profound that even if the building no longer exist the sounds would survive. To me it represents a soul, which survives long after the physical being is gone.

    2. Their acoustics were an integral part of that experience, where sound could flutter like the wings of angels.

      I like the way that the article argues the different ways that these churches are an experience rather than just an architectural piece. The way that both sound and smell are so apart of the experience, suggest that the creators were intentionally trying to make these churches a universal space for anyone that entered them.

    1. “is a very good place to get in touch with the Japanese spirit.

      This has been the purpose of pilgrimages for centuries. Historically, large structures like Amatersu are used to gather people and connect them with culture and religion. However, more recently these places have become tourist attractions rather than a place to " get in touch with the Japanese spirit". While places like Amatersu are being persevered with care, the original purpose for their erection is being lost.

    1. t – not very convincingly – the belly; the Venus of Willendorf (she is not in the show, but still a presiding presence, well photographed in Jill Cook’s marvellous catalogue) lets her forearms rest along her breasts as if on a massive shelf.

      I find it so interesting how the primitive portrayal of women is vastly different from modern day ideals. The exaggerated breasts and stomach are signs of fertility and health. The women of Willendorf was the ideal for many years.

    1. This shows that crop patterns are responsible for the deterioration of the civilization. Despite the theories that monsoon was the cause of damage, it quickly became apparent that the farming techniques were harmful to the soil. There are other examples of instance like this in history.

    1. one nation has an exclusive right over the legacy of the past. “There are artworks that belong to our collective consciousness — Nefertiti is such a work,” said German Culture Minister Bernd Neumann, at the exhibit’s opening. Looking at Nefertiti’s serene face — Borchardt claimed it was “the epitome of tranquility and harmony”

      This is a very interesting statement. I like the idea that there are pieces of artwork that belong to our collective consciousness rather than belonging to a specific organization or country. I find this to be very true. The image of Nefertiti's is something that has historically been a universal piece of art.

    1. since

      I agree, i think it would be interesting to see how the discussion evolved over time and whether or not there were parts of the arguement that were over looked. Furthermore, had either side not take such a strong position there might have been room for negotiation.

    2. with

      It is very interesting how much the economic state and insecurity of the country deeply effects every aspect of this process. The international relationship between Greek and other European countries seems to show that there exists immense tension.

    1. reunify the entire composition close to its original setting.

      This is an ambiguous task to take on, however, I see that the intention of this exhibit is not just to inform people about the historical implications of the Parthenon, but the curators are really attempting to make visitors feel as if they are stepping back in time.

    2. The display space is the same dimension and orientation as the Parthenon looming on the Acropolis hill, just 900 feet away.

      I think that this is a very effective way to incorporate the historical context into a modern design. The display is situated similarly to the Parthenon, seeing as the glass case is centered in the middle of the building. I agree that this is done with the intention of making a political statement. The Parthenon was positioned on top of the acropolis to evoke a sense of power and dominance. The museum is trying to emulate the same sense of importance and power by displaying so centrally.

  2. Nov 2016
    1. “Abe promotes himself as bridge between Japan’s past and its future, vaulting from Japan’s glorious traditions, over the post-1945 years of weakness, socialism and godlessness, to a beautiful, brave new Japan people by beautiful, brave new Japanese,” Cucek said.

      I find this to be a very admirable role that Abe has taken on. HIs desire to perserve Japanese culture and tradition while at the same time connecting it to the future is a very brave and commendable deed.

    1. Hundreds of years have passed, but it's the same physical experience. While we were stitching we chatted, swapped recipes... probably exactly the same things the original embroiders talked about

      I found this quote to be particularly interesting. Although we live in a technologically advanced society, where everything is completed in an efficient and timely manner, this quote represents the fact that although this technique was established hundreds of years ago it is still valuable today. There is something to be said about art made by hand; there is no technology that compares.

  3. Oct 2016
    1. test different parts of the church, with the data inputted to a computer.

      I also found the way that architecture and sound are so closely intertwined very interesting. Gerstel makes several very good points about how the specific construction of a building can effect the sound and thus the atmosphere.

    1. He forged documents to create fake histories for purchased works. Forced out in 1984, Frel left behind works that, two decades later, would end up on Ferri’s list of demands. That mess would be left for his successor, Marion True.

      This statement, which almost condones the forging of histories for purchased works, is a large statement. To think that this act is commonly executed by art curators is somewhat disturbing. Not only does it diminish the credibility of the curator and the museum, but it also takes away from the true history of the piece.

    2. n charged with conspiring with her would now be celebrated over red wine, kebabs and calamari by the aging circle of curators she once called colleagues

      It is interesting to think, that while True has experienced complete social and professional ostracism, Robert Hecht is being praised and rewarded for his even more illegal work. While there is no way to know if True is truly guiltly or not, it is clear that she would not have been subject to this much scrutiny had she been a man. Hetch, who was involved in several illicit museum deals, was never prosecuted and never questioned about his findings.

  4. Sep 2016
    1. their assumption is that even if it’s been revised and changed, [the great flood story] has a historical kernel, and I don’t think that’s necessarily true,”

      This brings up a bit of a moral controversy. While the mythical accounts of the caves ended up being legitimized by archeologists findings (to some extent), there were still some aspects of the story that were not completely factual. After archeologists were able to identify the flood, they became aware that the mythical interpretation could not have been fully true. This then becomes a moral question: Do you change the telling of a thousand year old story? With the advancement of technology, researchers are becoming more and more capable of fact checking ancient stories and myths. But does this mean that we have to change historical telling because of factual accuracy?