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Post by Phil Maurice on Aug 31, 2018 17:30:10 GMT -5
I thought this might be a fun thought exercise. What do you reckon is humanity's greatest single artistic achievement? It may be a painting, a play, a piece of music, a film, even a comic book  . We are defining "art" here in the broadest of terms. There are no wrong answers (though maybe some head-scratchers). Let's limit it to a solitary work, as opposed to, say the creation of a genre or a body of work, and you may pick only ONE. We here on the forum are very adept at making lists, but this is not a list thread. One work of art is all you get. Defend your choice in a sentence or two (or more, if you like). Here is my pick:  Michelangelo's The Pieta. The anatomy, the drapery, the sorrow and serenity on the face of Mary. The masterful work around Mary's right hand and Christ's bicep/underarm that suggests the weight of death rather than slumber. I cannot fathom how this was accomplished by a single individual in the 16th century. Though I am not a believer, this work, alone among all others, seems to have been touched by divinity. Now, pick yours! |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2018 18:05:44 GMT -5
Guernica, 1937 by Pablo Picasso As a student of history and this painting done in Black and White by Picasso showcasing the bombing of Nazi Germany that was done so casually that had a great effect on me because of travesty and the injustice that this incident in 1937 made an indelible impact of poor citizens of Guernica at the time of the event during the Spanish Civil War. I actually saw this picture in one of my six trips to Europe (I think it was Paris back in 1999) and I was stunned by the details and sorrow that Pablo did this painting. I spent a good part of 20-30 minutes looking at it and I wished that I could take a picture of it; but an attendant stopped me from doing so. I later that day got an 11x17 picture of it and a book on Guernica -- First Edition at the Museum for undisclosed amount of cash and read it on the plane on my return trip home.  It's a powerful book and filled with thoughts of Picasso that he painted this masterpiece back in 1937. It's leaves an impact that I just can't describe in proper content and/or context. I'm seriously thinking of seeing again in the near future -- possibly in 2020.
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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 31, 2018 18:20:54 GMT -5
I've been holding this in for a long time guys...but I'm secretly from the future, and when we make contact with extra terrestrial life and they induct us into their intergalactic peace federation we learn that The Goonies is man's greatest achievement and that all of outer space has just been waiting for Humanity to mature just so they can thank us for its creation. So pure, and so fun is that film's adventure story that it has touched countless lives in the universe and is directly responsible for the instantaneous endings of three major wars. |
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Post by Phil Maurice on Aug 31, 2018 18:23:56 GMT -5
I've been holding this in for a long time guys...but I'm secretly from the future, and when we make contact with extra terrestrial life and they induct us into their intergalactic peace federation we learn that The Goonies is man's greatest achievement and that all of outer space has just been waiting for Humanity to mature just so they can thank us for its creation. So pure, and so fun is that film's adventure story that it has touched countless lives in the universe and is directly responsible for the instantaneous endings of three major wars. Good enough!😃 |
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Post by Randle-El on Aug 31, 2018 21:29:35 GMT -5
I thought this might be a fun thought exercise. What do you reckon is humanity's greatest single artistic achievement? It may be a painting, a play, a piece of music, a film, even a comic book . We are defining "art" here in the broadest of terms. There are no wrong answers (though maybe some head-scratchers). Let's limit it to a solitary work, as opposed to, say the creation of a genre or a body of work, and you may pick only ONE. We here on the forum are very adept at making lists, but this is not a list thread. One work of art is all you get. Defend your choice in a sentence or two (or more, if you like). Here is my pick: Michelangelo's The Pieta. The anatomy, the drapery, the sorrow and serenity on the face of Mary. The masterful work around Mary's right hand and Christ's bicep/underarm that suggests the weight of death rather than slumber. I cannot fathom how this was accomplished by a single individual in the 16th century. Though I am not a believer, this work, alone among all others, seems to have been touched by divinity. Now, pick yours! Having visited Rome recently, I was able to tour the Vatican and see this sculpture in person. Pretty amazing. Echoing your thoughts, we in our modern society think we are so advanced in so many ways, but you look at works like this and it reminds you that people back then knew a thing or two. In fact, the entire Vatican City is a monument to the artistic achievements of Western European civilization. I was stunned at how much amazing art of all kinds is crammed into one space. Even the Louvre, which I have visited, did not impress me nearly as much as Vatican City. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 31, 2018 21:40:13 GMT -5
What I've always admired about The Pieta is just how smooth it looks. To think that was chiseled and polished by hand just boggles the mind.
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Post by Phil Maurice on Aug 31, 2018 22:14:14 GMT -5
Having visited Rome recently, I was able to tour the Vatican and see this sculpture in person. Oh, were you now? How lovely. I hope you'll favor us with all the particulars.  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2018 0:15:30 GMT -5
The Ankgor Wat complex...  from the design to the architecture to the sculpture, to the integration of the natural environs into the design, to the sheer engineering needed to accomplish it, it is a majestic accomplishment of art, architecture and construction. Some details from parts of the complex...  :max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/where-is-angkor-wat-5acd9247a18d9e0037274f84.jpg)     and so much more... -M |
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Post by Icctrombone on Sept 1, 2018 6:28:28 GMT -5
The Sistine Chapel  |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 1, 2018 7:43:18 GMT -5
The Ankgor Wat complex... from the design to the architecture to the sculpture, to the integration of the natural environs into the design, to the sheer engineering needed to accomplish it, it is a majestic accomplishment of art, architecture and construction. Some details from parts of the complex... and so much more... -M This is one such work that I tend to think of when I do broach this subject seriously. Now mileage may vary for those contemplating this question, but for me I tend to look a works of a more universal nature that easily evoke strong, yet simple emotional responses with out the need for any contextual information. In this instance you don't need to know anything about the culture of the builders of the temple to feel a sense of wonder and splendor, you could show those pictures to a child and they'd feel that way. |
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Post by Cei-U! on Sept 1, 2018 10:15:20 GMT -5
Since I don't seem to be able to upload pictures from my computer any longer. I'll just have to resort to words to cite the Taj Mahal, which I consider the most beautiful structure ever built.
Cei-U!
I summon my current desktop background!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2018 10:35:47 GMT -5
I know many would not consider this art... but I see it as such. It was a monumental engineering feat that has not happened again in over 40 years. Man standing on another world besides Earth. What a concept. The whole world watched and was enthralled.
This picture was on my bedroom wall when I was a teen:
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Post by Prince Hal on Sept 1, 2018 12:21:26 GMT -5
This is a great idea for a thread, Phil Maurice! Excellent submissions so far. md62, so glad that you offered the moon landing as an artistic achievement. I agree with you that it was indeed. Not that I disagree with any of the other choices thus far, don't get me wrong.  It simply heartens me that in this often vile, toxic world, we still have some people whose hearts and minds are receptive and open to the notion that art is important. And though I hate picking favorites, b/c I never can be that exclusive when I make my choices, I will be back with some thoughts when I have a bit more time. |
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Post by beccabear67 on Sept 1, 2018 13:48:54 GMT -5
I've been holding this in for a long time guys...but I'm secretly from the future, and when we make contact with extra terrestrial life and they induct us into their intergalactic peace federation we learn that The Goonies is man's greatest achievement and that all of outer space has just been waiting for Humanity to mature just so they can thank us for its creation. So pure, and so fun is that film's adventure story that it has touched countless lives in the universe and is directly responsible for the instantaneous endings of three major wars. MY BF's house appears near the beginning of The Goonies. He/we didn't live there then though. I have tried to understand the attachment people have to the movie, tourists come to take pictures and see the locations and we are fairly baffled about it all. I do remember being given buttons/badges promoting it at some comic con before it came out. I'd have to vote for the footprint on the moon or the photo of the Earth from there myself. I thought the original WTC towers were the most amazing buildings though.  Music is an art, I might pick a piece of music like Satie's Gymnopedia or Revolver by The Beatles... |
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Post by EdoBosnar on Sept 1, 2018 14:33:52 GMT -5
Your BF is from Astoria? Cool...
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. We are defining "art" here in the broadest of terms. There are no wrong answers (though maybe some head-scratchers).
