Blog Post 4 for 2-22

Philosopher Karl Popper, a refugee from Hitler's Austria, argued that Plato's search for an ideal society and the introduction of idealism into politics were precedents that led to totalitarianism. He wrote that any fixed society will, by definition, be hostile to criticism or to change. Eventually the preservation of the system will be more important than the welfare of the population.

There have been arguments against this linking of Plato's Republic and totalitarianism, yet it is interesting to see the preference for the classical canon in the art of Hitler's Germany. The painting, The Four Elements: Fire, Water, Earth, Air, hung in a place of honor in Hitler's apartment. Critics often point to the banal nature of art approved by the Third Reich. The clarity and simplicity of of the classical canon may be used for a variety of purposes, including propaganda for a method of governing or a way of life. Classical forms have been used in protest art as well.

Compare Hitler's favorite painting to the classical statue of Aphrodite. There is much to be said in terms of the artists' attitude towards women (treatment of their bodies, facial expression), their use of the ideal female form to promote certain attitudes about beauty and the linking of ideal female form to the state. Think about how the classical ideal of femininity is used today in advertising, how its opposite is used (bohemian fashion -gypsy styles, hippy nostalgia, etc.)

Blog Post 3 for 2-15

How does this sculpture embody the classical Greek values of simplicity, restraint and balance? Think of these values in contrast to those NOT esteemed by the classical Greeks: complexity, excess and instability. (refer to chapters 2 and 3)

Question for 2/7 Blog post #2

Based on the reading from the Epic of Gilgamesh and the plot summary, what sort of journey do you think Gilgamesh has taken? Does his journey lead to despair or is he transformed in a way that has meaning for him and for the Mesopotamian Society that knew this narrative so well?

Find the plot summary in shared files or use Spark Notes. If you have lost the handout of the story, there are sites with the full text. Our reading is from tablets IX, X and XI.

Please write a well developed paragraph of at least 5 sentences.

Introduction/ Blog response #1

Hello everyone. Please introduce yourself and post a short position on this quote from the introduction to your text book.

In contrast to the instant obsolescence of popular culture, the study of Western culture offers an alternative that has passed the unforgiving test of time. Long after today's heroes and celebrities have fallen into oblivion, the achievements of our artistic and literary ancestors - those who have forged the Western tradition will remain.


I will go first:

My name is Michelle Barron. I have lived in Tampa nearly all my life. I received a BA in English Literature in 1982 and an MFA (painting) in 2007, both from USF. In addition to teaching at HCC, I work as the art instructor and coordinator for Project Return (www.projectreturn.org.) You can see some of my paintings at the archives of the University of South Florida's Contemporary Art Museum: http://www.usfcam.usf.edu/Media/MFA2007Show/

My position to the above quote from our text book is that it makes too easy a division between popular culture and "high" art. This division has been largely discredited in the post-modern era. Some might argue that there are popular roots to all our "high" art. One that comes to mind is the ballad form. Not only has it stood the test of time but has served at the basis for complex jazz forms. Jazz was considered barbaric only a little over 50 years ago, but it is regarded as high culture now. The whole question of popular vs. high culture is very complicated. Another thing that comes to mind is the comic book. The comic book will never be "obsolescent."