Art Blog #3 - The Eiffel Tower

Located in the Champ de Mars, a picturesque park in the romantic city of Paris, France, is a monstrous eyesore. Or at least that’s what some have called it. Others see it as a thing of singular beauty. Either way, it is recognized all around the world as a symbol of both the city of Paris and the country of France itself.





The Eiffel Tower dominates the Champ de Mars. Looming 1,063 feet into the sky – as high as an 80-storey building – it is the tallest structure in Paris. Nicknamed the Iron Lady, this lattice structure consists of over 18,000 pieces of iron held together by two and a half million rivets.





The tower is named after its designer, Gustave Eiffel, who was commissioned to create a monumental structure to serve as the entrance arch to the 1889 Exposition Universelle, or World’s Fair. Although the structure was intended to be taken down after 20 years – the fair’s planners specified the tower must be easy to demolish – Eiffel envisioned and built a “bridge into the sky” that would last forever.



Eiffel’s tower was so big, and so unique, that it was almost universally condemned upon it’s completion. Angry letters filled the newspapers of the day, decrying how unattractive and even hideous the tower was. Parisian artists and architects thought it to be a work of engineering devoid of any “artistic sensibility.” Others admitted to a certain artistic quality, but felt it had been thrown together without any regard for engineering. Its huge size made it an ugly blot on an otherwise beautiful city. The French novelist Guy de Maupassant, who ate lunch every day in the tower’s restaurant, hated the tower. When asked why he would have lunch there, he answered that it was the only place in the city where he couldn’t see the tower.

With the passage of time, disgust with the tower has transformed into admiration. Just as it was once generally despised as a monstrosity, it is today universally appreciated as a stunning architectural achievement. It has become one of the top tourist attractions in the world, with around 250 million people having come to the tower since its opening to the public in 1889. Today, over seven million people a year tour the tower, take pictures, learn its history, eat in its two restaurants, and ascend to its top and enjoy the magnificent views of the city of Paris. All come away moved by the experience.



The Eiffel Tower now shares a place in French history. After it was decided in 1909 not to dismantle it, radio towers were placed on and within the tower. During the first world war, these transmitters jammed German radios and helped save Paris from German invasion when they were used to dispatch Parisian taxis to the front line during the First Battle of the Marne. When the Germans occupied Paris in the next war, the French disabled the tower’s elevators so Adolph Hitler would be forced to climb to the top. Hitler decided to view the tower from the ground instead, and Parisians delight in the thought that Hitler may have conquered France, but could not conquer the Eiffel Tower.

I have not had the pleasure of visiting Paris, but when I go the Eiffel Tower will be at the top of my “visit” list. I find the tower truly amazing – it is both a beautiful work of art and an architectural marvel. My daughter recently visited the tower, and was impressed with the beauty of its lattice work – especially when viewed looking upward from underneath the tower. The rest of the world apparently sees what we’ve seen – the tower has inspired the construction of numerous duplicate structures around the world, in countries such as the United States, Russia and China. The “tower” can now be visited in Las Vegas and at EPCOT Center in Disney World.



The "Eiffel Tower" in Las Vegas, Nevada

Today, the Eiffel Tower has become a part of France. It stands as a symbol of France’s place in the modern world. The widespread criticism is gone, replaced with a wonder that few man-made structures anywhere in the world can produce. In 1889, the planners of the World’s Fair wanted something that would demonstrate to the world the glory and magnificence of France. Whether they believed it or not at the time, their wish was granted.

A final thought - does it look crooked to you?

Nationalism

Between 1871 and 1914, the continent of Europe experienced a period of relative peace. These 43 years, known as the Belle Époque, or “Beautiful Era,” spanned the gap between two destructive wars – the Franco-Prussian War and the Great War, or World War One. With the guns of 1870-71 finally silent, and the countries of Europe blissfully unaware of the horrors awaiting them just over the horizon, the people enjoyed a time of unprecedented scientific, technological and cultural achievement. Innovative inventions made lives easier, while new directions taken in the arts and theater made lives more enjoyable. And along with this progress came an upsurge in national pride, or nationalism.

Nationalism can take many forms, and has many definitions. At its simplest, it can be expressed as pride in one’s own nation, nationality, ethnicity, religion or political views. It can be a positive thing, unifying people who share one or more of these traits. Patriotism and pride in one’s country are honorable qualities that are to be striven for. But these qualities, if unchecked, can lead to arrogance and feelings of superiority over people of another race, ethnic background, or simply those of a different nationality. As our textbook points out, “nationalism need not cause imperialism,” but the latter often follows the former. Uncontrolled
"patriotism" and imperialism can lead to forcing one’s views upon others, perhaps slowly but progressively, and may ultimately lead to war – against neighboring countries, or sparking civil war within one’s own country.

One example of nationalism in its positive form is a voyage undertaken by ships of the United States Navy during the latter years of the Belle Époque. In December of 1907, a naval force of 16 battleships set sail on an epic journey. In a little over a year, the ships had traveled over 43,000 miles, completely circumnavigating the globe and visiting many countries along the way. With their hulls painted white, the ships soon became known by the nickname, the Great White Fleet.



The battleship Connecticut, flagship of the Great White Fleet

While an admitted purpose of the Great White Fleet was to demonstrate to the world the naval power of the United States, the voyage was also intended to be a journey of peace and goodwill. In both cases, the mission was an overwhelming success. As the fleet put into ports around the world, the sailors acted as ambassadors of American friendship and declared our nation’s peaceful intentions. Citizens of the visited nations responded enthusiastically, with crowds numbering in the thousands turning out to welcome the fleet. Americans back home eagerly followed the progress of the fleet and swelled with pride as their ships and sailors were received with admiration and respect.



A more recent example, one which showed the world the ugly side of nationalism, was the conflict in Yugoslavia. Created after World War One from the wreckage of the Ottoman and Hapsburg empires, Yugoslavia was a conglomeration of six republics, including Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia. Although officially one country, the republics were home to several people groups and nationalities which practiced multiple versions of Christianity and Islam.



The distribution of the three main ethnic groups in Bosnia prior to the outbreak of war - and ethnic cleansing - in 1991.

Since the end of the second world war, Marshall Tito ruled the country with an iron fist, brutally suppressing any signs of nationalism from any of the republics other than sole devotion to the communist state. He also worked to keep the smaller republics from being ruled by Serbia, the largest and home to Yugoslavia’s capital, Belgrade. Ironically, Tito used the slogan “Brotherhood and Unity” to hold Yugoslavia together, but realistically the only thing the people had in common was the fact of their differences.

Upon Tito’s death, Serbia’s influence over the other republics grew, and the people began to dream of creating their own states. In 1991, Slovenia became the first to declare itself a sovereign state. Croatia and Bosnia soon followed. This was nationalism at its finest – the realization of a people’s dream to be free. But Serbia was determined to maintain control over the entire country, and a vicious war broke out. Brutal fighting took place throughout Yugoslavia, with bottled-up and centuries-old hatreds being unleashed. Atrocities against civilians were committed by all sides, and in Bosnia, Serbia conducted a campaign of ethnic cleansing – the deliberate and systematic removal, by any means, of ethnic groups out of their homelands – that was so brutal it required the military intervention of the United Nations and NATO to finally bring it to an end. This was nationalism at its worst.



The parliament building in Sarajevo, Bosnia, burns after being hit by tank fire.



There are many faces to nationalism. It can be something to be proud of, a force for good, a change for the better. But it can also bring out the worst in us. Those of us who feel pride in our nations, religions, politics and ethnicity must never forget that we share this world with others who don’t see things our way. It is up to us to keep the proper perspective, not letting our pride cloud our judgment, and allowing ourselves to degenerate into something less than we truly are.

The Sea of Ice - Art Blog #2

One of the many benefits of studying the humanities is realizing the vastness of human imagination. Borrowing liberally from this limitless reservoir, it is possible to envision this planet we share as adopting human form, with Europe as its beating heart. The continent has witnessed the rise and fall of many eras and movements - historical, intellectual and cultural - and just as life-giving blood is propelled throughout the body from the heart, so too have these movements spread outward from their source to impact the rest of the world.

The Romantic Movement, or Romanticism, originated in the latter half of the 18th century and was one such movement. Although officially coming to a close around 1830, it never really ended, for its impact is still felt throughout the world today. Coming on the heels of the Enlightenment, which downplayed nature while emphasizing human achievement, Romanticism turned people's hearts and minds back toward the physical world around them. Artists became inspired by the power and beauty of the natural world, and paintings of the Romantic Movement attest to this new interest in nature.



One of the pioneers in romantic paintings was Caspar David Friedrich. Born in Swedish Pomerania (now part of Germany) in 1774, Friedrich is considered to have been one of the foremost German painters of the Romantic era. He began studying art just as the strict influences of the Enlightenment were submitting to the artistic expressions of the Romantic Movement, and his paintings clearly show the influence nature had upon him. Specializing in land and seascapes, his paintings often portray compelling scenery enveloped by mist or clouds, with human figures - if there are any - usually depicted in silhouette. Many have a dream-like quality, which is appropriate, for Friedrich described his inspiration as occasionally coming from dreams.



Perhaps the most famous of Friedrich's paintings is The Sea of Ice.



Our first glance draws us directly to the huge mountain of ice that has been thrust upward at an intriguing angle, and we cannot help but think of the powerful forces of nature that came together to produce such an image. We also notice the variations in color which add to the painting's drama - the dark blues, browns and tans of the jagged ice contrasted with the serene light blues of the sky and background ice pack.

But there is more to this compelling scene than just nature's power. As the painting's alternate title - The Wreck of Hope - describes, Friedrich has depicted a shipwreck entombed in the ice. This is HMS Griper, one of two ships that took part in William Edward Parry's 1819-1820 ill-fated expedition to find the Northwest Passage to the North Pole.

The stern of the ship is just visible to the right of the broken ice. Lying as it does on its port side, one can imagine the ship's masts and rigging extending to the upper left in the same direction as the jutting ice, as if it is the shape of the ship itself that defines the shape of the ice. But this is not so. In the background are additional thrusts of ice, suggesting these are simply naturally occurring phenomena. The ship and its lost crew are therefore reduced in significance, hinting at mankind's helplessness when confronted with the awesome supremacy of nature.

The Sea of Ice made an impression upon me when I first saw it in our textbook, even though the picture was in black and white. I have always been drawn to the sea, to ships, and the stark but magnificent beauty of ice and snow. When I found the painting online in its original colors, I was not disappointed. I have also discovered other color variations for the same painting. While at a loss to explain this, there's no denying the distinct moods and emotions evoked by each version.





Friedrich painted The Sea of Ice with oil and canvas in 1823-1824. Art collector Johann Gottlob von Quandt had commissioned two paintings meant to represent the north and the south. Friedrich was chosen to paint the northern picture with the theme of "Northern Nature in the whole of her Terrifying Beauty." The painting is currently on display in the Kunsthalle Hamburg art museum in Hamburg, Germany.

The Sea of Ice was not well received when Friedrich completed it in 1824. Indeed, interest in Friedrich's works decreased during his later years, and he died in obscurity. But his paintings were rediscovered in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and they went on to inspire the Expressionist, Surrealist and Existential movements. The arctic landscapes of artists such as Frederic Church, William Bradford, Lawren Harris and Paul Nash were influenced by The Sea of Ice.


The painting also continues to make an impression upon all of us today, who pause to admire its beauty and allow its intensity to awaken our imaginations.

Revolutions - Concept Blog #2

On the morning of January 21, 1793, King Louis XVI of France was having a bad day. But his troubles would soon be over. Shortly before midday, he would be dead - another victim who had fallen to the unpredictable impulses of the French Revolution.



The latter half of the 18th century brought desperate times to the common people of France. Known as the Third Estate, the people were burdened by heavy taxes which were wholly inadequate to support their country's already bankrupt economy. They labored and suffered at the hands of an indifferent king and an uncaring nobility. Feeling like third-class citizens in their own country, they began to dream of equality with the First and Second Estates - respectively, the clergy and nobility.

The Third Estate carrying the First and Second Estates

It was also in the 18th century that Europe experienced the Enlightenment, or Age of Reason. The ideals of the Enlightenment - an entirely new way of thinking - swept across the continent. Citizens of most European nations began to question the traditions and customs under which they were living. They began to desire equality and fairness, as well as the freedoms to think, act, and choose for themselves.

The ideals of the Enlightenment greatly appealed to the Third Estate of France. The people were inspired by the thought they could assume a place of equality with the clergy and nobility. Knowing they could not count upon the king for support, they formed the National Assembly and demanded the rights and privileges that were inherently theirs. Denied these rights, the people slowly turned to the one course left available to them - rebellion.

What became known as the French Revolution began promisingly enough. Encouraged by the success of the American people in throwing off the tyranny imposed upon them by the monarchy of England, the Third Estate believed they could do the same within their own country. Striving for nothing less than liberty, they firmly believed in the righteousness of their cause. Even the ugliness of the storming of the Bastille, with its bloody outcome, or the eventual execution of the king himself - both unintended events in the beginning stages of the revolution - could not detract from the noble ideas of the Enlightenment that motivated them.



The Storming of the Bastille, July 14, 1789

But with the existing monarchy having been destroyed, the nation of France experienced a power vacuum the revolutionaries had not foreseen. Neither the National Assembly nor the newly-established Committee of Public Safety were strong enough to resist the rise of a dictator worse than the king. Maximilien Robespierre helped usher in the Reign of Terror which may have taken the lives of as many as 40,000 people, including over 25,000 who died under the blade of the guillotine. The enlightened ideals behind the revolution had brought the people consequences they had never anticipated.

Fast forward to the present day. History is repeating itself. The peoples of several nations in North Africa and the Middle East are rising against their governments. Filled with the Enlightenment ideals of liberty and equality, they are attempting to overthrow those who have held them down for decades. The people want freedom. They want to vote. They want to choose their own destinies. And they want governments that will work with them for a better future.



Anti-government protestors make victory signs as they stand on an army tank in Benghazi, Libya.

The people of France had fought for freedom. But freedom can be easily hijacked. The establishment of a republic takes time, the structures of democracy cannot be developed overnight. Most revolutions don't have the patience to wait for the intended outcomes for which the people fought.

Revolutions are curious things. There's no guarantee of success. For the Americans of the 18th century, it worked. Not so with the French, who lost their revolution to the likes of Robespierre. We don't yet know the outcomes of today's modern revolutions. Will they succeed, or will people or processes beyond their control hijack the people's dreams? We know how things turned out in France; we await the future in the Middle East and North Africa.

Art Blog #1 - Gianlorenzo Bernini

The Baroque Age ushered in an awakening in the world of art. Beginning around 1600 and lasting until approximately 1715, this period in time brought advancements in art - paintings, sculpture and architecture - that had only begun to emerge by the end of the previous era known as the Renaissance.

The first Baroque art began as part of the Catholic Church's Counter Reformation, in response to the Protestant Reformation, which had begun to draw worshippers away from their previous devotion to the traditions of the Catholic faith. Church officials believed they could win people back with stunning examples of art, sculpture and architecture that went beyond anything they had seen before. It was hoped the people would come back to the church after being won over by the new emphasis on realism that exemplified the Baroque style.

In the world of sculpture, artists sought to instill their creations with the illusion of reality. Their carvings became more elaborate than ever, and they used lighting and perspective in ways meant to maximize the effect of their sculptures on observers - making them feel a part of the art rather than merely bystanders.

No one personified the Baroque Age more than Gianlorenzo Bernini. Born in Italy in 1598, this gifted artist crafted his first sculpture at the age of 17 - or perhaps even younger - and continued to sculpt magnificent works of art until his death in 1680. His final sculpture - a figure of Christ - was completed at the age of 81. A devout Catholic, he shared the vision of reaching out to those who had wandered away from the church. He poured his heart and soul into his creations, and his acclaim as a genius appears justified by the results he achieved.



Self-Portrait of Gianlorenzo Bernini - circa 1623.

A perfect example of his talent, and which captures the essence of the Baroque style, is Bernini's David. Commissioned in 1623 by his principle patron, Cardinal Scipione Borghese, Bernini completed the sculpture in just seven months - finishing it when he was only 24 years old. The life-sized sculpture stands five feet, seven inches tall and is sculpted entirely out of marble. Upon completion, David was displayed in the Galleria Borghese, where it still resides today.



Bernini's David

Bernini captured David at the critical moment in his conflict with Goliath. The stone has been set in its sling, and David's body is tensed and ready to do battle. His gaze is clearly fixed upon his antagonist, whose presence, while not part of the sculpture, is nonetheless intensely felt by observers. As opposed to the static poses carved by Michelangelo and Verrochio, who portrayed David before and after the fight with Goliath, respectively, Bernini has captured the moment of conflict itself.

David is one of my favorite sculptures from this brilliant artist. I am in awe of the quality of workmanship and how lifelike David appears. The sculpture comes alive with an emotion and power that is truly amazing. I especially appreciate the look on David's face - it conveys the determination of a man not only ready to take on a formidable opponent, but also prepared to stand against an enemy who dared to defy "the armies of the living God" (Holy Bible, 1 Samuel 17:36).



The look of determination on David's face

Another unforgettable example of Bernini's ability is The Rape of Proserpina. This large marble sculpture was commissioned by Cardinal Borghese in 1621 - when Bernini was just 23 - the same year Bernini was knighted by Pope Gregory XV. Shortly after its completion, the sculpture was given to Cardinal Ludovisi. In 1908 it was purchased by the state of Italy and returned to the Galleria Borghese.



Bernini's The Rape of Proserpina

The sculpture denotes a time in Greek mythology when Pluto, the god of the underworld, kidnaps (a more accurate term than "rapes") the goddess Persephone (known in Roman mythology as Proserpina). Bernini captures the moment Pluto has picked her up, ready to carry her off to her destiny. There is a look of terror on her face, while Pluto seems amused at her hopeless struggles.



Pluto pressing his fingers into Proserpina's flesh

The main reason The Rape of Proserpina is one of my favorite Bernini sculptures is how real the scene appears, and the senses of motion and emotion that are portrayed. Pluto is positioned accurately, as if he is really supporting Proserpina's weight. Proserpina's terror is real, and there even appear to be tears dripping down her face. But the most amazing aspect of the sculpture is the way Pluto's fingers press into Proserpina's flesh as he prepares to abduct her. To have achieved this level of realism from a block of marble is truly a testament to Bernini's remarkable skill.

Below is a quick video showing alternating views of Bernini's David, The Rape of Proserpina, and Apollo and Daphne.

Concept Blog #1 - Science and Religion

The struggle between science and religion has been around for centuries, and there is no evidence of the debate ending anytime soon. For some, science has replaced the need for God or a creator. Others retain their faith while welcoming and acknowledging the advancements science has brought. I fall into the latter category, firmly believing that science and religion can and do coexist.

The debate between science and faith may have existed, in one form or another, since the beginning of time. But it was the Scientific Revolution, beginning during the Renaissance, that really amplified the controversy. Men like Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei and Rene Descartes began to view the world around them in new ways. Applying what they already knew, they sought to discover new things and understand the truths behind how everything worked.



Galileo before the Holy Office by Joseph-Nicolas Robert-Fleury

Unfortunately, each of these men, along with many others, came into direct conflict with the Catholic Church. Steeped in tradition and smarting from the cataclysmic division caused by the Protestant Reformation, the Church perceived these men as heretics, and the Scientific Revolution as a direct threat to its authority and the teachings of the Bible. The Church placed Galileo and others on trial for heresy, using a previously established system known as the Inquisition. The men were accused of attempting to subvert the word of God and the faith people had in the Church and its leaders. Using coercion and torture, they fought against the scientific progress these men were endeavoring to further.



Two priests demand a heretic to repent as he is tortured.

But men like Copernicus, Galileo and others were not trying to undermine the authority of the Church, nor were they out to destroy the people's faith in religion. They believed in God and the authenticity of the Bible. Also believing in most of the teachings of the Catholic Church, they had no intent to diminish its influence. They were simply in search of the truth, an understanding of the very principles God had used to create the world. There was nothing unbiblical in what they were doing, something the Catholic Church at the time failed to understand.

It seems some things never really change. Spiritual leaders have always been threatened by change or new ideas. They want to defend both their faith and their power. The leaders of the Sanhedrin were afraid Jesus would draw people toward Himself and away from the control they had over the people's lives. In a world of Roman domination, they had little control over much else, and they felt threatened enough by Jesus to have Him killed. In the same way, the Catholic Church at the time of the Scientific Revolution found itself challenged by the Protestant Reformation, and was quick to brand as heretics anyone who appeared to question the Church's doctrine.

There is just as much division between science and religion today as there has been in the past - perhaps even more now, with fewer people actively practicing a given faith. In Galileo's time, most believed in God and religious principles, whether they considered themselves Catholic or Protestant. But today, society - at least in this country - offers the suggestion that people can choose to live without religion, while at the same time enjoying the fruits of scientific discovery. So the debate continues.

I personally believe science and religion can coexist, and they can do so peacefully and rationally. I believe God created the world, and He did so using scientific principles. He also created mankind, giving us minds with the ability to think, investigate, explore, experiment and - most importantly - comprehend the "mysteries" we've discovered. What's more, we can use what we've learned to better not only our lives but the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves. For example, exploring science allows us to accomplish medical breakthroughs to help the sick, while improvements in transportation technologies can get medicine to patients (or patients to medicine) faster than ever.

People don't have to choose between science and religion. They can have faith in both simultaneously.

Hello Everyone!

Like many in the class, this is my first blog. This is my second online class with Yavapai College. I'm looking forward to working with all of you. I'm also looking forward to finishing this class, because it means completing my degree which I started working toward a long time ago!