EXPLORING ART

Gladys is in her second year of college and her counselor told her to try an interesting form of therapy to combat what feels like a numbing college life: Art therapy. In this episode, we dive into what art therapy is and how it can be a powerful tool for self expression and quiet healing. Using research, we discuss the science behind art therapy and how it can be effective for our mental well-being. Tune in to learn how creativity can become a pathway to a positive change.

In this episode, we explore and dive into our definition and findings on the Iranian Artist Bahman Mohassess. We dive into his background, what was going on at the time to him, how it influenced his work, and if it should truly be considered "grotesque" or truly beautiful. Our group discusses this in detail, and find out what specific details in his art could point to. Tune into this episode for deep talks about the struggles during the Iranian Revolution, Mohassess frustrations with the art world in tandem, and how all of these feelings resulted in one of the most revered Iranian artists the world has ever seen.

A discussion on the painting "The Death of Marat" by Jacques-louis David, is it sincere grief or is it propaganda.

In this episode, we talk about “The Death of Marat” and the true story behind one of the most famous paintings of the French Revolution. We discuss Marat, Charlotte Corday, and the artist Jacques Louis David to understand why this painting became such a powerful political symbol. We also explore how beauty, violence, and propaganda come together in the artwork. Join us as we ask whether “The Death of Marat” is a beautiful tribute, a political message, or maybe both.

“Comfortable Mystery 4” and “Comfortable Mystery 3” By Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

So, the big question, what really defines beauty? Can it be already something that exists within the landscape? Or something seen from the human eye? In this episode we compare the meanings of the French pittoresque and the Italian pittoresco, Lake George and Nathaniel Willis's description of the meaning of picturesque, and how landscape artists influenced the way humans perceive art. During this discussion we discovered the imagination and philosophy in which art has shaped our ideas of natural beauty. Tune in on our podcast in discussing as we uncover the different influential factors in the way we experience beauty in the world!

In this episode of the Exploring Art podcast we delve deep into the art work of Bahman Mohassess an Iranian painter. In the mists of a war and facing the coldness of human nature we discover why his artwork was so ugly. The beauty comes from the emotions Bahman Mohassess excellently translates to the viewer. Prepare to be uncomfortable and learn how you deal with your own emotions. You will find although you are not an Iranian painter who was angry, sad, and isolated you might relate to his feelings of society. Come listen to a few exploring art students yap about Greek mythology, culture, and emotions.

American Western Country -- The_Mountain

The Raft of the Medusa (1818-1819) by Theodore Gericault is a romantic painting that depicts the aftermath of a shipwreck that happened around that time. The painting highlights a group of survivors stranded on the raft who are struggling between hope and despair. In this episode, we will be exploring all that is within this painting. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the beauty. By exploring different themes and how controversial this painting was at the time, we will be dissecting the meaning of the painting and how it connects to the current movement of the time, romanticism.

In this episode, we investigate whether this masterpiece mocks the brutal deaths of many innocent men or if the painting’s beauty justifies the romanticism of death. Our group will discuss the story, explain the artist’s choices, and debate the ethicality based on research we did ourselves. We hope that we can spark your interest in the beauty found in the terror of this story. Come join us for a conversation full of thoughts, comments, and questions answered.

"Great Lakes Instrumental" by staticinverona (Free Music Archive)

We dissect Picasso’s debut painting and how it changed art forever by inspiring a new movement and style.

In this episode, we discussed the history of the painting “The Death of Marat”, from the man who the painting depicts, his murderer, the painter, and the historical time period and the political landscapes of the time. We discussed the subtle style of David and why certain elements go on to further enhance the painting. We asked questions like whether Marat was a hero or was he simply a pawn to further the violence of the French Revolution, and discussed the role of artistic liberties in inspiring violence and their effects. We also discussed how art is a sacred tool to gather people together but tear them apart. We discussed this art piece and our thoughts on it as a whole and what we took from it.