San Rafael, CA
I took an Art History class this semester that is now coming to an end. A theme in my life has developed over the past couple of years of being astonished at some of the things I've become interested in. Yoga is a total no brainer on the astonishment scale. I mean who would have ever predicted that? If you had told me I'd be teaching yoga in the near future when I was anchored not long ago in Bequia, I would have accused you of shopping for fruit as a cover at the Rasta Man Stand. He sold more than fruit. As an aside
I am teaching class after class now, and loving it so.
Another pleasant surprise has been my Art History of the Greek & Roman World class. I give substantial credit to my professor, Heidi who is so dog gone passionate about the subject, that you just can't help but get swept up into her historical narrative. Art boring? NOT! I really learned a ton, and would have worn a Toga to class, but Dominican University has a Convent on the campus, and that would have been weird.
I wrote a paper about Roman power in Art after learning that the Saddam Hussein statue that was yanked down in Baghdad after the U.S. invasion in 2003 was inspired directly by the Romans. I started to do some more research, and I've come to learn almost all art is used to project messaging in some fashion. Anyway, below is the paper. Read it if you will or not. Maybe you'll see some connections. Jefferson's Monticello anyone?
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| ancandid.com |
I took an Art History class this semester that is now coming to an end. A theme in my life has developed over the past couple of years of being astonished at some of the things I've become interested in. Yoga is a total no brainer on the astonishment scale. I mean who would have ever predicted that? If you had told me I'd be teaching yoga in the near future when I was anchored not long ago in Bequia, I would have accused you of shopping for fruit as a cover at the Rasta Man Stand. He sold more than fruit. As an aside
I am teaching class after class now, and loving it so.
Another pleasant surprise has been my Art History of the Greek & Roman World class. I give substantial credit to my professor, Heidi who is so dog gone passionate about the subject, that you just can't help but get swept up into her historical narrative. Art boring? NOT! I really learned a ton, and would have worn a Toga to class, but Dominican University has a Convent on the campus, and that would have been weird.
I wrote a paper about Roman power in Art after learning that the Saddam Hussein statue that was yanked down in Baghdad after the U.S. invasion in 2003 was inspired directly by the Romans. I started to do some more research, and I've come to learn almost all art is used to project messaging in some fashion. Anyway, below is the paper. Read it if you will or not. Maybe you'll see some connections. Jefferson's Monticello anyone?
CC
Manifestation
of Power Via Art In the Roman Empire
Today
the Roman Empire is discussed in the context of a once great empire, its
spectacular fall spurred by unchecked pride. The inevitable comparison between
contemporary America, and her apparent hubris leading to over reach. The
breath, scope, achievements, and length of the Roman Empire are truly amazing.
Like all giants, the Romans stood upon the shoulders of those who came before. This
famous metaphor, “Standing on the shoulder of giants,” was propelled into our
modern lexicon by Sir Isaac Newton in 1676. However, the first usage of this
metaphor stretches back to ancient mythological Greece when Orion, the blind
giant god carries his servant Cedalion on his shoulders. Indeed, the Roman
ruler Hadrian highlights his respect for his much admired predecessor Trajan,
by inserting himself in panels on TheArch of Trajan at Benevento; thereby communicating to the Roman citizenry
whose shoulders he stands atop.
