Welcome to this post-viewing discussion of Civilisations! Episode 2 ('How do we look?') was presented by Mary Beard, and addressed ancient representations of the human body. The episode had a huge chronological and geographical scope, taking us on a journey across the globe to visit Olmec sculptures from ancient Mexico, the Chinese Terracotta Army, Greek and Roman 'Classical' statuary, and more besides. Mary emphasised that this was not just a history of artists, but a history of viewers too - how ancient people responded to these amazing objects at the time they were made - and how these bodies continue to have an impact on people like you and me.
Which brings us to the discussion (which I'll be moderating live between 12-2pm on Friday 9th March). Join in the discussion by posting a response in the Comments section below. Here's the question:
What did you think about the fantastic collection of sculptures and paintings that were shown on episode two 'How do we look?'? Were you familiar with any of these objects before you watched the programme? Were there any that particularly surprised you, or moved you - and if so, why?
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Erika Trueman - 9 March 2018 12:06pm
Hi Jessica, Can I check with you, please, what an online reflection is? Will you reflect and reply to comments or speak via video link?
Jessica Hughes - 9 March 2018 12:08pm
Hi Erika, the plan is that we'll have a kind of 'online seminar' for the next two hours. So I'll be replying to comments - and of course please feel free to chat amongst yourselves too :-)
No video relection planned for this time - although that's a nice idea for future events.
Erika Trueman - 9 March 2018 12:11pm
Thanks. I currently study A864 and found the latest episide very interesting. I was particularly fascinated with the Boxer. I would have liked to have seen more male Greek statues, such as Discobolus.
Jessica Hughes - 9 March 2018 12:15pm
The boxer was fantastic, wasn't he? He's on the front of one of my old Hellenistic Art books (by John Boardman?) but I hadn't appreciated the detailed representation of suffering on his body. Did you find the episode useful for your work on A864? (That's an OU Ancient Body MA module, for those who are reading and don't know!)
Erika Trueman - 9 March 2018 12:19pm
Yes, some of it was useful. I would have liked to have seen more of the clothing shown on statues from 5th century Athens (for TMA 04); I looked forward to an explanation of respectable women covering their heads and looking demure... the one example shown was from a time before respectable Athenian women lost their identity and became invisible. What changed that? When did that happen?
Jessica Hughes - 9 March 2018 12:44pm
Hi Erika, (apologies if this reply appears twice - the Comments are loading v. slowly for me).
But it's a good question - we saaw a bit of detail on the Phrasikleia kore tunic, didn't we? Is that the example that you were referring to? There's the interesting distinction in Archaic art between clothed women and naked/nude men. This does continue through to the Classical period, where women are shown heavily draped. But as you notice, we didn't see many of those (just the red-figure vase, I think), and instead we encountered the Aphrodite of Knidos. Will there be space for her in your essay, do you think?