With reference to Sister Wendy’s “Story of Art” Documentaries discuss about Art in Western Civilisation.

What can art tell us about history? Quite a lot! Art is a significant component of all civilizations, including “Western Civilization.” Works of art not only enrich our lives aesthetically, but document our human history. You’ve already encountered this in our textbook, which encourages students to “read” or “analyze” paintings, sculptures, and even pottery as if they were dusty manuscripts and old letters. In this assignment you will watch and hear how an unusual art historian, a Catholic nun by the name of Sister Wendy Beckett, explains the historical context of great works of art, but also teaches us to appreciate the power of art to reveal truth, not only in the past but in ourselves. Read on…. The “Back Story”Imagine that PBS asked you to narrate a history of your chosen profession (teacher, nurse, dancer, engineer, etc.) for a documentary. Imagine, though, that you have never, EVER watched a documentary. More incredibly, you’ve never-ever watched TV (or youtube, netflicks etc) or created your own Tik-Tok- thingy. That was Sister Wendy Beckett’s situation before she became a media sensation in the 1990s. [1] Born in 1930 in South Africa, Sister Wendy took her religious vows at the age of sixteen and joined a monastery that emphasized teaching. The Church must have recognized Sister Wendy’s gift for learning, however, because she was allowed to continue her own education in English literature at Oxford University. Graduating with the “highest honors” in 1953, Sister Wendy returned to South Africa to teach. She also, however, sustained her personal interest in learning by taking a passionate interest in art history, eventually becoming a popular author on the subject. [2] When the BBC became acquainted with Sister Wendy’s work, they decided that she was just the person to educate their viewers on Western Art. Despite her lack of media experience (she had never owned a TV much less watched a TV program), the BBC’s trust in Sister Wendy’s universal appeal was well founded. Their documentary became an instant success and, in the process, gave Sister Wendy (and her audience) the opportunity visit great art collections around the world.SignificanceSister Wendy stands before the cameras and narrates what she sees without a script. She doesn’t need a script, nor does she want one.[3] After all, Sister Wendy has done her research. She knows all about the artists and the historical contexts in which they lived and worked. But, more than this, Sister Wendy experiences art with her audience. We witness what Sister Wendy, herself, feels, often with a rush of profound insight. Unscripted and unvarnished, The Story of Art is a revelation: it challenges us to understand art’s crucial role in our humanity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBv0HezlOBw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZ8VMLmWde8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ9XCCmlOQ8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ9XCCmlOQ8In an interview with journalist, Bill Moyers, Sister Wendy declares that great art encourages us to “accept darkness and pain.” In other words, it helps us become “perpetually alert” human beings rather than perpetually numb “zombies.” With art, we learn the “truth about ourselves.” See these five minute clips of the interview (or more if you are intrigued) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3d8SA2y6Ow and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjFVRXjrjAEWhat does Sister Wendy mean by these statements? Listen to the interview (this portion or all of it) and argue that you agree or disagree with her claims. Do so by discussing one anecdote in #3 (one painting, etc. that she analyzes) and by discussing one other anecdote in the documentary (#1. #2, #4 or #5) of your choice. You must approach the essay in the following manner:First, write this essay as if you were explaining the documentary to someone who is educated but who has never heard of Sister Wendy or the art works that you will describe and analyze yourself. In other words, don’t assume that your readers know what you are talking about (you should do this with most of your papers/essays for this and other classes).In the introduction briefly introduce Sister Wendy and the two documentaries that you will review (#3 and the other one of your choice). Who was Sister Wendy (feel free to quote and cite the information I presented above, or find a website that tells you more and quote and cite it). With reference to the documentaries, what are their titles? When were they produced? What period of time (of art history) do they cover? Where do they take place? For example, Mesopotamia? Athens? Paris? Florence? Select from each of your two documentaries one anecdote about a work of art.What does the work of art depict? What is its subject? Is it a portrait of a person, if so, who? Is it a landscape? Is it non-representational art? Does it represent a mood, feeling, or even the unconscious mind rather than a person or thing?What medium is used in the art work (paint, stone, wood, etc.).Is it a large or small work of art?Who was/is the artist?When was the work created?Where was the work created?Why do you think the work was created? What purpose did the art work serve? Was it intended, for example, for private or public viewing?What style of art does the work exemplify? Is it an example of medieval religious art, for example, or is it a work of Renaissance art? In describing the art work, supplement Sister Wendy’s explanation with a quotation from your textbook that helps explain the historical context for when, why, and how the work was created (NOTE: remember to use quotation marks and cite the page number). Advice: Look at the index of your textbook under “Art.” There you will find the different art styles (and their historical contexts) and page numbers. These pages on art are also situated in a chapter that explains a particular time period. This will help you analyze the historical time period. What is your own impression of the art work?What drew you to it?What about it intrigues, repels, awes, or bores you?Is your reaction to this work of art different or the same from Sister Wendy’s reaction and analysis? Why? How so?How do your two anecdotes (or works of art) best proves (or not) Sister Wendy’s claim in the prompt? Be sure to answer all of the questions! Tick them off as you write your essay. ] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdULqJJ6fmw Sister Wendy in Conversation with Bill Moyers. Accessed 4/2/20[2] https://nationalpost.com/entertainment/celebrity/sister-wendy-beckett-catholic-nun-who-became-unlikely-tv-celebrity-dead-at-88 The National Post, “Sister Wendy Beckett, Catholic nun who became unlikely TV celebrity, dead at 88.” Accessed 4/2/20[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdULqJJ6fmw Sister Wendy in Conversation with Bill Moyers, Accessed 4/2/20