Astonishing that the English word empathy is only a hundred years old. This was such a fascinating video! -John p.s. Congratulations on very, very nearly 400,000 subscribers!!
True, empathy cimes from the german word "einfühlung" created in 1873 and incorporated in the english language with the word "empathy" in 1909.. So, it's kind of a new thing I guess x) And, it's kind of sad to see it has appeared just before the most brutal and monstruous wars of all time..
I've said it once and I'll say it again, the best thing about Art Assignment is that it makes me pause the video every few mins and read about the artwork in detail. The videos make me think and I really appreciate that. :)
I'm so glad you do that! We've slowed the pace of our videos quite a bit in the last year, but it's still way too fast for taking close looks at artworks. It's always my hope that those who watch our vids go back and see the work on their own time and use what we make as a jumping off point for further research.
The Art Assignment: I’m sincerely impressed by the five episodes I’ve seen so far, but I do find one thing too frustrating, as well as distracting...When you show a tiny image of an artist’s work, with identifying text below, for barely a second (aarrrgh!), I scarcely have time to see either! Even when I prioritize one or the other, it’s just too quick to really register either visual or text-much less make a note for future reference. Without stopping the video frequently, (and WHO wants to do that), that added-info in the bottom left corner is merely a distraction from the fast-paced narrative! I don’t think it’s possible to over-state my frustration with this, and am sure there are other viewers having the same experience. So please, either give us a reasonable amount of time to process, or take them out altogether. You could list them at the end of the video, where it makes SENSE (especially when watching via TH-cam) to hit pause. Plus, you could provide LINKS for each listing; thus acquainting viewers with Art Museums and other online sites for future reference. I hope this feedback was helpful, and want to thank you again for such a well made program! (Art was my first love in life, and “saved” me from a traumatic childhood. I’ve had some Art History in college-which I finished at age 50-but can never really get enough. I enjoyed the episode on how to talk like you understand Art, though I also have some respect for a more academic approach, as I learned to love the process of critiquing while a student. In fact, acquiring some vocabulary for responding to Art only enhanced and deepened my experience as an often unimpressed viewer). Sorry! Your excellent Art programs have INSPIRED me to ramble on...Thanks for your time.
I often find myself quite moved by prehistoric art. I try to imagine the impulses and inspiration that led ancient peoples to create such images and monuments. With my understanding of their world, i just can‘t imagine what compelled them to leave such lasting marks on their landscape, and so i find it amazing that they did, and at such scale. I could only hope to be inspired like they were.
Von Reifland mit Liebe have you ever been to a henge that you can actually go and sit in? Stone henge is famous in the world but you can not actually approach the stones any more. Where as other places with less large stones you are able to walk freely amongst the stones. For sure they have a link to the environment and seasons and we’re probably places of worship. To people who lacked knowledge of disease at the bodily and microscopic level we do, life was difficult and dangerous and of course most aboriginal cultures have some myths that surround creation and life and this was just their way to connect to that just as modern people build Cathedrals, Mosques and Temples
Beyond just the feelings, prehistoric cave art has helped solving some problems about what some fossilized animals looked like...wooly rhino and others. It’s amazing that they did that for us.
I cry when I listen to some songs, especially when the singer conveys all of the emotions and it almost becomes like a poem. My mom thinks i'm "extreme" but i can't help it.
@@imroztowhid1284 I respect the fact that Abedeen chose to identify as a citizen of Bangladesh after Partition. I meant as an Indian, it was nice to see artists from the subcontinent. Cheers.
Any mention of the inhumane atrocity that was the Bengal Famine gives me hope, paradoxically. Because too often it feels like the world has forgotten what the British, what Churchill, did to us.
Thank you for this! Empathy has been of interest of mine for a long time, but especially after having an very mentally draining relationship with a moral philosopher who studied the subject. He once told me that my work in art museums as an educator was not meaningful, or at least not as meaningful as other fields he would prefer to see a partner partake in. Having a video like this on art and empathy is a big FU to him, but also a way to feel empowered myself. Thanks.
Oy. What a guy. Almost any work can be meaningful if you do it the right way. I'm so very happy that this video made you feel empowered. (I'm suppressing the urge to say something nasty about the moral philosopher, fwiw.)
The painting of the death of Ivan The Terrible’s son is one of the most effective paintings that evokes empathy for me. The look of both father’s and son’s faces are probably the most emotional I’ve seen painted ever.
I can relate so hard to that painting, ive never accidentally killed anyone, but ive made many mistakes with often fatal consequences, i can see myself both in the fathers denial and desesperation and the sons sad realization and hopelessness
I never knew about this painting-thank you. The abject torture of the father’s expression reminds me of a similar subject: Goya’s Saturn Devouring his Son.
This is an amazing video. The purist form of any motive to make art, of any theory which has been written about the origin of art, can be quite frankly the need to feel, and to share feelings. All art is nonsense without the capacity of empathy. Art wouldn't spread without it.
You know, I always loved the religious artwork that emphasized the humanity of Christ and Mary. It helps in making me feel a sort of connection or closeness to an otherwise divine (and sometimes distant) entity. I think there's beauty in the idea of the Creator sharing in the suffering and joys of its creations, almost like there's a mutual understanding or empathy of each other. It tells me that I'm not alone and that others are also going through good and bad times. God can often feel alien to me because his divinity can sometimes be overemphasized, so being reminded of his humanity has always been appreciated because it brings me closer and find solace in that. I guess that's why I find the crucifixion and lamentation so compelling at times, because it feels so real. Incredible video as always!
I literally leave everything to watch an art assignment video:) Also, Mary's eyes in the Rottgen Pieta really makes me feel an acute kind of loss. Empathy at its epitome.
One of my anthropology professors worked with National Geographic to interpret (/translate) khipus - it's so cool to see them mentioned here! (Dr Sabine Hyland is her name, if anyone is interested. She's a fascinating and lovely lady). Once again, an incredible video that I'll no doubt watch again and again. Ah, we're so fortunate to have you, Art Assignment!
I find the inclusion of the difference between elderly and young people in Wales very interesting. As a welsh teen, I attend a welsh youth theatre that in 2017, partnered with AgeCymru (Cymru means Wales) to put on a play about the last 30 years in our local area to celebrate the 30th birthday of the theatre group. Our play was based off stories from people in the elderly homes in the towns near our group. I feel, as a result, it made us more aware of their own lives as part of our community. I don't know for sure, but I'd like to think it was thanks to the Ghana think-tank you mentioned.
Oh wow, cool! Whether or not it's related, it's quite a coincidence. I imagine that there are many communities where the elderly are not appropriately valued. A societal problem in many places around the world. It made me want to know more about the places in the world where the elderly are appreciated and listened to. Anybody know? Tell me!
Empathy, to me, means a full and deep connection, a link between two different people's worlds. It's a sign of caring enough to look at your world in their eyes, or their world in their eyes.
I don't know why I started crying in the vietnam veterans memorial part. It somehow got me there even when I haven't any connection to that. Thank you for that video I learned a lot again. I especially liked the part about the indian famine because I simply did not know that part of history. That really touched me and I realised again how horrible the impacts of that war were.
Me too. I definitely want to go see it on my bucket list. We were talking about Maya Lin the other day. They did a article on her a few years back and she to throw the key to the writer they could get in. She designed the VIETNAM MEMORIAL. To be so connected to human nature is good design.
The efficiency of a podcast would be nice, but since the topic is visual art I'd feel like we're missing something without the pictures, or we'd become distracted if we had to google every image. ...But Sarah is a great researcher and orator, so with the right topic it could be wonderful.
@@RichardCharter i feel like what i would like in a podcast would be more talking to artit and interviewing them and their view on certain topics and their art. that would be such a treat
I have thought a lot about it but haven't ID'd the perfect angle. John and I recorded a single episode of a podcast we made up as a Project for Awesome 2018 perk called "Statue Got Me High." The title comes from a They Might Be Giants song, and the podcast idea is that we talk about artworks or art-like experiences (not just statues) that were very moving or meaningful for us. If we really did it, we'd invite other on to talk about their "Statue got me high" experiences, too. Eh?
Many people say that reading arguments online never changed anyone, but I changed not by the fighting so much but through personal stories expressed. Whenever I'd read people expressing how something hurt them, I'd listen and then eventually I changed my stance. Now I listen all the time via vlogs, blogs, Tweets and so forth. Of course antidotes aren't evidence. I learned this too from listening to scientists bicker online. I felt their earnestness about the importance of evidence based thinking. Then I made sure to always combine both when trying to understand something. Meaning, listen to people who are directly impacted by whatever the issue is and then be sure to weigh it with multiple sources and fact checking. Do not close the heart or the analytical mind. Use both! Empathy leading to effective action is what has lead me into sociology. I am no artist and cannot generate empathy through art but I feel it. I hope through those feelings I can study well enough to come up with methods that will change the structures of the world for the better.
When I watch an Art Assignment video, I say "this one is my new favorite." This video was no exception, and might surpass them all. Thank you to the whole team for all of their hard work on each and every episode! I see it, and I appreciate it greatly.
Munch’s The Scream was the first piece of art I ever saw that stirred strong emotion and empathy in me. I was even afraid of the painting as a kid but very intrigued. We have a copy now in my hallway and it still elicits such emotion when I look at it today.
You have the same vocal growl as Grammar Girl. This gives an air of authority by way of experience. Instead of your voice rising with excitement, it drops and rumbles with fatigue. You and John are both fantastic storytellers. Thank you.
In the name of all German speakers subscribed to your channel, I appreciate your very sincere attempts to pronounce the words "Einfühlung" and "Liebknecht" in this video. It didn't entirely work out but it shows that you tried. Very different approach to John's.
yes. bringing questions to the art is a very excellent way to learning about others. Often the artist dissapears in the image when we are in awe of it or when we hate it. But asking questions such as you suggest will give us many answers about the why of the art. Actually, I am surprised as to how rarely I do that. Good reminder. Thank you!
I was extremely moved by the Hall of Remembrance at the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall. I felt literally surrounded by the devastation in such a quiet room. 140,000 tiles representing 140,000 human beings that were killed by the Hiroshima bombing as of 1945.
Empathy is to me the brave challenge of letting others mirror their experiences and emotions onto you. When we trust each other so little, opening the door and letting others take control of you is very brave indeed.
This is wonderful. A lovely delve into how Art is received by the viewer and how the artist has portrayed implicit lack of needs being met through emotive indicators. Or at least that's what I got from it... and thank you for it!!!
What a beautiful, moving, and powerful video to end this miniseries. And while I very much love the James Turrell quote and description of art, I am really blown away by your notion of how engaging with a piece of art, no matter the type, is empathy, connecting us and our attention to the intention of the artist and their being. That has opened my eyes to a whole new way of relating to art! I can't wait to get out there and try it out. Thank you for another wonderful video. :)
Besides the many wonderful examples of the many ways art can evoke empathy, I learned about so much history I didn’t know of before here!! This video made me feel more connected to the world. 🧡
One of the things that always drew me to art was the ability to portray a variety of emotions visually. I’m on the spectrum, so verbal communication can be difficult sometimes, so art is how I am able to express what I’m feeling. Also, I really appreciate that the videos have subtitles!
This video expanded the understanding of my own art making. I used to think my work is very private and personal, even they are inspired by my cultural heritage, my personal journey and the loss of my family members. But I thought they are too personal to share. Now I realize my art making is also about empathy. It’s about sharing feelings among each other’s.
Incredible video that I'm for sure going to show my students to open up a discussion on empathy, making art, and the human connection. Thank you for all the videos you make and can't wait to see what's next after such an interesting series !!
Nighthawk by Edward Hooper kinda made me experienced what he experienced in his life or mind. I could feel the loneliness and cold air in society and empathy toward the artist and myself. Powerful work.
Great video. I think Art can uniquely "communicate" (if that's the correct word) empathy. I was blown away the first time I saw Memorial to a Marriage by Patricia Cronin. It's such a warm, comfy, empathetic depiction of contentment. I love it.
I think the first time I felt any sort of emotion when looking at art was when I read an entry in a very old encyclopedia showing the famous Lascaux caves. I was in my teens, and to discover that these 'drawings' were made by someone who had lived tens of thousands of years ago at first threw me off, then wonderment dawned. The next one was 'A Bar at the Folies-Bergère'. As I discovered that this was not the usual portrait but instead me (the viewer) looking at a woman who was very tired, I was obsessed with it. But one 'thing' holds my interest until now: La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. I cannot wait to see how it will look like when it is completed!
Hailstormand it’s amazing how many of us were affected and are still affected by the Lascaux caves. This may seem macabre but I also saw Pompeii as art, the frozen figures, and had intense empathy for them. Often when sketching figures, I see them. TMI?
There is art that speaks to your brain and there is art that speaks to the heart. And sometimes when it speaks to both you get that sublime uplift that rearranges you forever. I've had two art experiences that overwhelmed me on that level (and also many more when finally viewing a piece that I had seen in books and photos but not in actual person... they don't count though because I was prepared) I had never heard of Goyas Dog until I went to the Prado as a teen...... the image hit me like a ton of bricks, fortunately the guards there are prepared and a silent lady in uniform kindly gave me some tissues; enough said on that one! The other was a work by the Australian artist Rosalie Gascoyne, it's called Monaro. The work is made up of tiny slivers of wood, from discarded soda crates; all assembled into a vast rolling symbolic depiction of the high plains of the Australian Alps. It was an interesting viewing for me. I recalled the soda crates from my childhood, the immense golden grasslands from family trips, the light, the distance, the past. I spent 30 minutes in front of the piece. Well the damn artwork got me, right in the soul bone. It had a clear message for me and for days I couldn't get it out of my head! I can't tell you what the message was, it's impossible to verbalise but it reverberated me with great force and feeling.
This was an intriguing video. It's interesting to hear about the origins of the word "empathy." Here in Germany, we say "Empathie", whereas the word "Einfühlung" sounds pretty archaic nowadays and is hardly ever used.
This a great exploration of the relationship of art and empathy through history. I love art, literature, music and meditation but I feel these disciplines are given to much credit for making people better, somehow moral. Through the most educated people were the leadership classes, the aristocracy, who seemed have little or no compassion or empathy for the classes 'below' them. Happily letting them starve, forcing them to fight in wars or killing them if they resisted and so on. Art, literature, music, prayer rituals and myths of saints across Eurasia did seem to make difference whether we are talking about Europe, India, the middle east or China. They were all the same. It doesn't stop me loving the arts and other practices, but it does make me ask questions.
I recently played a video game called GRIS that was an ethereal and symbolic journey through the stages of grief. Now, that model may be outdated, but it was done beautifully and I teared up at quite a few points and at the end of what was about 4 hours, i was awashed with a calm empathy that that spilled over into my daily life.
When empathy is brought up in the context of art I always remember William Albert Allard's "Peruvian boy with sheep" photo, it is very impactful, I think. Great episode, always a pleasure to watch! Thank you!
I loved this video. The Ghana Think Tank and the figurative piece dedicated to the Hutus of Rwanda (where imagery and representation is rejected): respectively, I laughed and I kinda choked up / teared up just in hearing descriptions about these projects. Roger Ebert once referred to cinema as "an empathy machine". I'm not sure if he was quoting someone else when he said that but, regardless, I think he's right about cinema. But other modes of art, too, can be just as empathy-mobilizing. My favorite work of art in this sense -- in the sense that it inspires a strong sense of empathy in me -- is Abbas Kiarostami's Close-Up. When Hosein Sabsian gets out of jail for impersonating filmmaker, Moshen Makmalbaf, only to find Moshen Makmalbaf standing there waiting to meet him and give him a hug and, also, to aid in the reconciliation between Sabsian and the family he defrauded with his impersonation action-- ...I'm moved to tears every time I see that part of the movie.
Great segment. It seems to me (and I like) that you've more recently slowed down the pacing of these videos and not tried to be exhaustive in trying to "cover" every possible question or nuance of each sweeping topic. I also like seeing works I've never known about before, from all different cultures. Many years ago, I walked into the Phillips Collection and was taken by surprise by Pierre-Auguste Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party. It was so large -- the figures seemingly life-size -- and I was struck by the beauty of the painting, bound up with the beauty of these young people and their pleasure at being young and at their leisure -- and then, at once it struck me, the reality of their all being long gone from this world. I was quite touched by that. I've gone back a couple times to see the painting, but it is never quite as powerful as that first time.
That last happy art is So Cool. I feel like happy art can be more effective bc the sadness of the world is so oversaturated to the point where we stop experiencing empathy and instead feel apathy. But depicting happiness unites people in life and inspires a drive to be more happy and spread more happiness i think.
Excellent video. We all need to think and feel more in this time of quarantine. I knew some of your examples; others were new. I have Lots of ideas about evoking empathy: The Tilman Riemenschneider altarpiece in Rothenburg, Germany. Anila Quayyum Agha's Intersections. Georgia O'Keefe's morning glories.
I think it’s interesting how photography can be used as a tool to globalize and enable empathy for those you don’t get to see in person. Like, I live in San Francisco, and I think a photography series about the homeless population would be really interesting and would bring a lot of people to really think about the crisis that’s happening. And even though we see homeless everyday, we just automatically ignore them. But photography forces you to look directly at the problem and to think deeper.
Was working on an abstract art piece while listening(glancing also) and almost cried inbetween steps thru my process. Thankyou! Also, picked up work on my work after ur vid on creativity being overrated during corontine
Excellent video. The darker aspect of using empathy in political propaganda which although illustrated in this video was not explicitly discussed. The images from the Great Depression is an example of using empathy for the purpose of political persuasion as much as anything, maybe with a good result in that case but not in many others.
There is hardly anything "dark" about persuading us to view other people as human, and realize they are suffering. If your argument is that "Empathy makes us change political decisions, therefore is bad", your issue is not with empathy, but with your politics.
@@t.vinters3128 Exactly my point. Empathy in political propaganda is as old as political propaganda. The painting by Goya is unambiguously a masterpiece and certainly an excellent example of portraying empathy in art, but it was also propaganda intended as much to evoke a negative empathetic response to the French occupiers as a positive response to the Spaniard being executed. All depends on the target audience.
@@deepashtray5605 Well, if you are doing something horrible, pointing it out is not "dark". Of course when it comes to conflicts, odds are there is suffering on both ends. And as soon as you realize that the "Others" are feeling, sentient beings, too, the more likely you are to want them, too, to not suffer needlessly.
@@deepashtray5605 Here's the funny thing with empathy: The fact you acknowledge people's humanity, does not make other people's humanity lesser. That's not "creating empathy", that's writing really bad DC comics villains.
@@t.vinters3128 Maybe, but you can't deny it is an aspect of using empathy in art to lessen the humanity of others. The very basis of your own position is the use of empathy to affect the opinions of others, which is a core tactic in politics. If you want to deny a dark side of empathy in art exists then you are ignoring a huge facet of the topic and losing out on a deeper understanding of the human condition as told through art.
@@howtubeable too true. art is about the communication of genuine emotion, not building up a pretense of empathy that can be worn around like a trophy.
You have always created these in-depth video analysis of art and I enjoyed them quite a lot. But just wanted to share my two cents about your lighting technique: Perhaps you can try lighting one key light in front of you directly, so the shadows from your glasses would be shown near your eyes. And as for the background shadow created by you from the front key light, you could perhaps light two more lightings on each side and of the background. Or maybe I’m just thinking I’m smart. Haha. Appreciating your video contents!
Funny, "The Third of May" doesn't make me ache for the subject at all - then again, I haven't trained myself to appreciate classic art. The concept is there but the style seems flat and nearly inaccessible. It's like music I have no connection to or an accent I can't parse. I'm not a skilled artist yet, but that could be a cool exercise - redrawing "The Third of May" so that I think it _does_ convey all the things listed about it, and puzzling out the ways artists' "dialogue" has changed + what has contributed to the disconnect I feel.
There’s a rational part of empathy: to think about what other people went/are going through and understand what emotion they felt/feel. And there’s an emotional part of empathy: to feel what other people felt/are feeling and to grieve/rejoice with them. As a teacher I can help children and teenager develop the rational thinking part. But (sadly) I cannot force the emotion - the „Mitgefühl“ - the feeling with. What is the most challenging to me is accepting people in this world that don’t/can’t/refuse to empathize in any way!
The paintings that challenge me the most to think empathetically are large, minimalist, blocks-of-color type paintings. They are FAR different from the paintings I like, aesthetically, but are just as impactful, skillful, and deeply critical as anything figurative. Just because I don't immediately love it on the surface doesn't mean its any less valuable or meaningful.
If you'd like to read more about this Susan Sobtag's 'on regarding the pain of others' is very good. Also mercifully short and readable for a piece of academic writing.
Raw Facts... This presentation style feels like a driving rock ballard in aggressive info delivery mode. Think about dailing it back so it sinks in. Art and Empathy take time. Don't take on these topics if you can't offer the energy and spirit values that are appropriate. Speed history is part of our social problems.
Great Video as always! But could maybe start listing your sources (especially the literature) in the description? It would be especially helpful for the students and art historians among us who want to engage themselves in a topic you talked about and do some further research. Thanks!
Very interesting journey to understand the meaning and interpretation of the word 'empathy'. I particularly enjoyed how you also beautifully conveyed what quipus are and how these were used. I touched my heart how you narrated the stories surrounding the wonderful drawings by Huaman Poma and included why he did them. Wonderful work!
Those FSA photographers captured something that feels so innately American , so deeply moving, and those images remain among the starkest remembrances of labour history and economic hardship.
Astonishing that the English word empathy is only a hundred years old. This was such a fascinating video! -John
p.s. Congratulations on very, very nearly 400,000 subscribers!!
I LOVE watching the subtle conversation between the Art Assignment, and Anthropocene Reviewed! I saw that sneaky Lascaux Cave shot snuck in!
i love how supportive this relationship is 15 outta 10
True, empathy cimes from the german word "einfühlung" created in 1873 and incorporated in the english language with the word "empathy" in 1909..
So, it's kind of a new thing I guess x)
And, it's kind of sad to see it has appeared just before the most brutal and monstruous wars of all time..
I really appreciate how PBS has adapted to new media and kept the quality high. Thank you!
This is PBS? That would explain the left-wing bias.
@@howtubeable complaining about left wing bias on a video about empathy...... yup, checks out.
@@oof-wi7hpcope.
I've said it once and I'll say it again, the best thing about Art Assignment is that it makes me pause the video every few mins and read about the artwork in detail. The videos make me think and I really appreciate that. :)
I'm so glad you do that! We've slowed the pace of our videos quite a bit in the last year, but it's still way too fast for taking close looks at artworks. It's always my hope that those who watch our vids go back and see the work on their own time and use what we make as a jumping off point for further research.
@@theartassignment I was amazed to find out about the Memory of the World Programme en.unesco.org/programme/mow through this video.
The Art Assignment: I’m sincerely impressed by the five episodes I’ve seen so far, but I do find one thing too frustrating, as well as distracting...When you show a tiny image of an artist’s work, with identifying text below, for barely a second (aarrrgh!), I scarcely have time to see either! Even when I prioritize one or the other, it’s just too quick to really register either visual or text-much less make a note for future reference. Without stopping the video frequently, (and WHO wants to do that), that added-info in the bottom left corner is merely a distraction from the fast-paced narrative! I don’t think it’s possible to over-state my frustration with this, and am sure there are other viewers having the same experience. So please, either give us a reasonable amount of time to process, or take them out altogether. You could list them at the end of the video, where it makes SENSE (especially when watching via TH-cam) to hit pause. Plus, you could provide LINKS for each listing; thus acquainting viewers with Art Museums and other online sites for future reference. I hope this feedback was helpful, and want to thank you again for such a well made program! (Art was my first love in life, and “saved” me from a traumatic childhood. I’ve had some Art History in college-which I finished at age 50-but can never really get enough. I enjoyed the episode on how to talk like you understand Art, though I also have some respect for a more academic approach, as I learned to love the process of critiquing while a student. In fact, acquiring some vocabulary for responding to Art only enhanced and deepened my experience as an often unimpressed viewer). Sorry! Your excellent Art programs have INSPIRED me to ramble on...Thanks for your time.
I often find myself quite moved by prehistoric art. I try to imagine the impulses and inspiration that led ancient peoples to create such images and monuments. With my understanding of their world, i just can‘t imagine what compelled them to leave such lasting marks on their landscape, and so i find it amazing that they did, and at such scale. I could only hope to be inspired like they were.
Von Reifland mit Liebe have you ever been to a henge that you can actually go and sit in? Stone henge is famous in the world but you can not actually approach the stones any more. Where as other places with less large stones you are able to walk freely amongst the stones. For sure they have a link to the environment and seasons and we’re probably places of worship. To people who lacked knowledge of disease at the bodily and microscopic level we do, life was difficult and dangerous and of course most aboriginal cultures have some myths that surround creation and life and this was just their way to connect to that just as modern people build Cathedrals, Mosques and Temples
Janus Quiamco Perhaps they didn’t make the art to be remembered, perhaps they made it to bring each other together.
Beyond just the feelings, prehistoric cave art has helped solving some problems about what some fossilized animals looked like...wooly rhino and others. It’s amazing that they did that for us.
Art taught me the depth of empathy better than any person has.
I am the kind of person that cries in museums because i feel many emotions (tbh I cry easily and often anyway), so this video feels made for me
I cry when I listen to some songs, especially when the singer conveys all of the emotions and it almost becomes like a poem. My mom thinks i'm "extreme" but i can't help it.
I've cried during the video. To cry is a beautiful way to show emotions and to let your feelings getting out of you inner self ❤
I cry too. I also cried upon watching the video clip.
I am pleasantly surprised that you included Chittoprasad and Abedeen, as an Indian. Thank you.
Abedeen was Bangladeshi BTW
@@imroztowhid1284 I respect the fact that Abedeen chose to identify as a citizen of Bangladesh after Partition. I meant as an Indian, it was nice to see artists from the subcontinent. Cheers.
@@nelsonth Oh, in that case, yup! cheers you too mate!
Any mention of the inhumane atrocity that was the Bengal Famine gives me hope, paradoxically. Because too often it feels like the world has forgotten what the British, what Churchill, did to us.
Thank you for this! Empathy has been of interest of mine for a long time, but especially after having an very mentally draining relationship with a moral philosopher who studied the subject. He once told me that my work in art museums as an educator was not meaningful, or at least not as meaningful as other fields he would prefer to see a partner partake in. Having a video like this on art and empathy is a big FU to him, but also a way to feel empowered myself. Thanks.
Oy. What a guy. Almost any work can be meaningful if you do it the right way. I'm so very happy that this video made you feel empowered. (I'm suppressing the urge to say something nasty about the moral philosopher, fwiw.)
@@theartassignment Fan-girling in response to this! Thank you so much for validating me further :D
You know, you only got yourself to impress. FH!
The painting of the death of Ivan The Terrible’s son is one of the most effective paintings that evokes empathy for me. The look of both father’s and son’s faces are probably the most emotional I’ve seen painted ever.
I can relate so hard to that painting, ive never accidentally killed anyone, but ive made many mistakes with often fatal consequences, i can see myself both in the fathers denial and desesperation and the sons sad realization and hopelessness
I never knew about this painting-thank you. The abject torture of the father’s expression reminds me of a similar subject: Goya’s Saturn Devouring his Son.
This is an amazing video. The purist form of any motive to make art, of any theory which has been written about the origin of art, can be quite frankly the need to feel, and to share feelings. All art is nonsense without the capacity of empathy. Art wouldn't spread without it.
You know, I always loved the religious artwork that emphasized the humanity of Christ and Mary. It helps in making me feel a sort of connection or closeness to an otherwise divine (and sometimes distant) entity. I think there's beauty in the idea of the Creator sharing in the suffering and joys of its creations, almost like there's a mutual understanding or empathy of each other. It tells me that I'm not alone and that others are also going through good and bad times.
God can often feel alien to me because his divinity can sometimes be overemphasized, so being reminded of his humanity has always been appreciated because it brings me closer and find solace in that. I guess that's why I find the crucifixion and lamentation so compelling at times, because it feels so real. Incredible video as always!
I literally leave everything to watch an art assignment video:)
Also, Mary's eyes in the Rottgen Pieta really makes me feel an acute kind of loss. Empathy at its epitome.
Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself... In that sense it's like watching a piece of art.
Videos from The Art Assignment comfortably fill some of the void that the pandemic brought into my life. Thank you
One of my anthropology professors worked with National Geographic to interpret (/translate) khipus - it's so cool to see them mentioned here! (Dr Sabine Hyland is her name, if anyone is interested. She's a fascinating and lovely lady). Once again, an incredible video that I'll no doubt watch again and again. Ah, we're so fortunate to have you, Art Assignment!
Very cool! Thanks for mentioning her work here.
I really appreciate the quality of these videos. Like art, they are also a completed pass, someone has to watch them and indeed we owe a watch. ♥️
I find the inclusion of the difference between elderly and young people in Wales very interesting. As a welsh teen, I attend a welsh youth theatre that in 2017, partnered with AgeCymru (Cymru means Wales) to put on a play about the last 30 years in our local area to celebrate the 30th birthday of the theatre group. Our play was based off stories from people in the elderly homes in the towns near our group. I feel, as a result, it made us more aware of their own lives as part of our community. I don't know for sure, but I'd like to think it was thanks to the Ghana think-tank you mentioned.
Oh wow, cool! Whether or not it's related, it's quite a coincidence. I imagine that there are many communities where the elderly are not appropriately valued. A societal problem in many places around the world. It made me want to know more about the places in the world where the elderly are appreciated and listened to. Anybody know? Tell me!
"It compels us to imagine people complexly." I see what you did there
;)
Empathy, to me, means a full and deep connection, a link between two different people's worlds. It's a sign of caring enough to look at your world in their eyes, or their world in their eyes.
I don't know why I started crying in the vietnam veterans memorial part. It somehow got me there even when I haven't any connection to that. Thank you for that video I learned a lot again. I especially liked the part about the indian famine because I simply did not know that part of history. That really touched me and I realised again how horrible the impacts of that war were.
I teared up too. Seeing all of the names and imagining all of the unwritten ones from Vietnam really puts the "price" of war into perspective.
Me too. I definitely want to go see it on my bucket list. We were talking about Maya Lin the other day. They did a article on her a few years back and she to throw the key to the writer they could get in. She designed the VIETNAM MEMORIAL. To be so connected to human nature is good design.
i wish you had a podcast
Same :)
I understand you but believe me it would become boring and cliche over time ; it better stay this way
The efficiency of a podcast would be nice, but since the topic is visual art I'd feel like we're missing something without the pictures, or we'd become distracted if we had to google every image. ...But Sarah is a great researcher and orator, so with the right topic it could be wonderful.
@@RichardCharter i feel like what i would like in a podcast would be more talking to artit and interviewing them and their view on certain topics and their art. that would be such a treat
I have thought a lot about it but haven't ID'd the perfect angle. John and I recorded a single episode of a podcast we made up as a Project for Awesome 2018 perk called "Statue Got Me High." The title comes from a They Might Be Giants song, and the podcast idea is that we talk about artworks or art-like experiences (not just statues) that were very moving or meaningful for us. If we really did it, we'd invite other on to talk about their "Statue got me high" experiences, too. Eh?
for some reason her voice is really satisfying. she speaks with great diction and at a nice pace.
When I look at the sculptures of Camille Claudel, I can feel her mighty heart pounding in my own rib cage
Many people say that reading arguments online never changed anyone, but I changed not by the fighting so much but through personal stories expressed. Whenever I'd read people expressing how something hurt them, I'd listen and then eventually I changed my stance. Now I listen all the time via vlogs, blogs, Tweets and so forth. Of course antidotes aren't evidence. I learned this too from listening to scientists bicker online. I felt their earnestness about the importance of evidence based thinking. Then I made sure to always combine both when trying to understand something. Meaning, listen to people who are directly impacted by whatever the issue is and then be sure to weigh it with multiple sources and fact checking. Do not close the heart or the analytical mind. Use both! Empathy leading to effective action is what has lead me into sociology. I am no artist and cannot generate empathy through art but I feel it. I hope through those feelings I can study well enough to come up with methods that will change the structures of the world for the better.
AWESOME COMMENT! 💖
When I watch an Art Assignment video, I say "this one is my new favorite." This video was no exception, and might surpass them all. Thank you to the whole team for all of their hard work on each and every episode! I see it, and I appreciate it greatly.
Munch’s The Scream was the first piece of art I ever saw that stirred strong emotion and empathy in me. I was even afraid of the painting as a kid but very intrigued. We have a copy now in my hallway and it still elicits such emotion when I look at it today.
This video makes me cry every time I watch it. Thank you very much Sarah for putting this into the world. I greatly appreciate it.
You have the same vocal growl as Grammar Girl. This gives an air of authority by way of experience. Instead of your voice rising with excitement, it drops and rumbles with fatigue. You and John are both fantastic storytellers. Thank you.
In the name of all German speakers subscribed to your channel, I appreciate your very sincere attempts to pronounce the words "Einfühlung" and "Liebknecht" in this video. It didn't entirely work out but it shows that you tried. Very different approach to John's.
Postponing somebody’s Buddha-hood for others is the greatest thing
I think the greatest thing might be the word "Buddhahood"
yes. bringing questions to the art is a very excellent way to learning about others. Often the artist dissapears in the image when we are in awe of it or when we hate it. But asking questions such as you suggest will give us many answers about the why of the art. Actually, I am surprised as to how rarely I do that. Good reminder. Thank you!
I was extremely moved by the Hall of Remembrance at the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall. I felt literally surrounded by the devastation in such a quiet room. 140,000 tiles representing 140,000 human beings that were killed by the Hiroshima bombing as of 1945.
It's a very moving museum.
Empathy is to me the brave challenge of letting others mirror their experiences and emotions onto you.
When we trust each other so little, opening the door and letting others take control of you is very brave indeed.
I've been subscribed to smart history for years! So glad more people are learning about them
This is wonderful. A lovely delve into how Art is received by the viewer and how the artist has portrayed implicit lack of needs being met through emotive indicators. Or at least that's what I got from it... and thank you for it!!!
What a beautiful, moving, and powerful video to end this miniseries. And while I very much love the James Turrell quote and description of art, I am really blown away by your notion of how engaging with a piece of art, no matter the type, is empathy, connecting us and our attention to the intention of the artist and their being. That has opened my eyes to a whole new way of relating to art! I can't wait to get out there and try it out. Thank you for another wonderful video. :)
Besides the many wonderful examples of the many ways art can evoke empathy, I learned about so much history I didn’t know of before here!! This video made me feel more connected to the world. 🧡
One of the things that always drew me to art was the ability to portray a variety of emotions visually. I’m on the spectrum, so verbal communication can be difficult sometimes, so art is how I am able to express what I’m feeling.
Also, I really appreciate that the videos have subtitles!
This video expanded the understanding of my own art making. I used to think my work is very private and personal, even they are inspired by my cultural heritage, my personal journey and the loss of my family members. But I thought they are too personal to share. Now I realize my art making is also about empathy. It’s about sharing feelings among each other’s.
Art is tremendously important on so many levels and to creatively depict culture. Empathy is an interesting subject for art. Great episode.
Incredible video that I'm for sure going to show my students to open up a discussion on empathy, making art, and the human connection. Thank you for all the videos you make and can't wait to see what's next after such an interesting series !!
Nighthawk by Edward Hooper kinda made me experienced what he experienced in his life or mind. I could feel the loneliness and cold air in society and empathy toward the artist and myself. Powerful work.
I love your work. You are so eloquent.
WOW! Very nice! Thank you very much Art Assignment!
Great video. I think Art can uniquely "communicate" (if that's the correct word) empathy. I was blown away the first time I saw Memorial to a Marriage by Patricia Cronin. It's such a warm, comfy, empathetic depiction of contentment. I love it.
Thank you Sarah! Such a timely yet universal topic.
My favorite episode!
I think the first time I felt any sort of emotion when looking at art was when I read an entry in a very old encyclopedia showing the famous Lascaux caves. I was in my teens, and to discover that these 'drawings' were made by someone who had lived tens of thousands of years ago at first threw me off, then wonderment dawned. The next one was 'A Bar at the Folies-Bergère'. As I discovered that this was not the usual portrait but instead me (the viewer) looking at a woman who was very tired, I was obsessed with it.
But one 'thing' holds my interest until now: La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. I cannot wait to see how it will look like when it is completed!
Hailstormand it’s amazing how many of us were affected and are still affected by the Lascaux caves. This may seem macabre but I also saw Pompeii as art, the frozen figures, and had intense empathy for them. Often when sketching figures, I see them. TMI?
@@kimrene2120 not too much at all, that is very interesting
Beautiful crafted. Fascinating all the way through. Many thanks!
Thank you. This unexpectedly touched me on a particularly difficult day. Keep doing this good work...RH
Thank you ! For explaining : Empathy in Art .
There is art that speaks to your brain and there is art that speaks to the heart.
And sometimes when it speaks to both you get that sublime uplift that rearranges you forever.
I've had two art experiences that overwhelmed me on that level (and also many more when finally viewing a piece that I had seen in books and photos but not in actual person... they don't count though because I was prepared)
I had never heard of Goyas Dog until I went to the Prado as a teen...... the image hit me like a ton of bricks, fortunately the guards there are prepared and a silent lady in uniform kindly gave me some tissues; enough said on that one!
The other was a work by the Australian artist Rosalie Gascoyne, it's called Monaro.
The work is made up of tiny slivers of wood, from discarded soda crates; all assembled into a vast rolling symbolic depiction of the high plains of the Australian Alps.
It was an interesting viewing for me.
I recalled the soda crates from my childhood, the immense golden grasslands from family trips, the light, the distance, the past. I spent 30 minutes in front of the piece.
Well the damn artwork got me, right in the soul bone. It had a clear message for me and for days I couldn't get it out of my head! I can't tell you what the message was, it's impossible to verbalise but it reverberated me with great force and feeling.
This was an intriguing video. It's interesting to hear about the origins of the word "empathy." Here in Germany, we say "Empathie", whereas the word "Einfühlung" sounds pretty archaic nowadays and is hardly ever used.
This a great exploration of the relationship of art and empathy through history. I love art, literature, music and meditation but I feel these disciplines are given to much credit for making people better, somehow moral. Through the most educated people were the leadership classes, the aristocracy, who seemed have little or no compassion or empathy for the classes 'below' them. Happily letting them starve, forcing them to fight in wars or killing them if they resisted and so on. Art, literature, music, prayer rituals and myths of saints across Eurasia did seem to make difference whether we are talking about Europe, India, the middle east or China. They were all the same. It doesn't stop me loving the arts and other practices, but it does make me ask questions.
I recently played a video game called GRIS that was an ethereal and symbolic journey through the stages of grief. Now, that model may be outdated, but it was done beautifully and I teared up at quite a few points and at the end of what was about 4 hours, i was awashed with a calm empathy that that spilled over into my daily life.
When empathy is brought up in the context of art I always remember William Albert Allard's "Peruvian boy with sheep" photo, it is very impactful, I think.
Great episode, always a pleasure to watch! Thank you!
This was EXCELLENT! I learned so much in such little time!
This channel is one of the best things.
I loved this video. The Ghana Think Tank and the figurative piece dedicated to the Hutus of Rwanda (where imagery and representation is rejected): respectively, I laughed and I kinda choked up / teared up just in hearing descriptions about these projects. Roger Ebert once referred to cinema as "an empathy machine". I'm not sure if he was quoting someone else when he said that but, regardless, I think he's right about cinema. But other modes of art, too, can be just as empathy-mobilizing. My favorite work of art in this sense -- in the sense that it inspires a strong sense of empathy in me -- is Abbas Kiarostami's Close-Up. When Hosein Sabsian gets out of jail for impersonating filmmaker, Moshen Makmalbaf, only to find Moshen Makmalbaf standing there waiting to meet him and give him a hug and, also, to aid in the reconciliation between Sabsian and the family he defrauded with his impersonation action-- ...I'm moved to tears every time I see that part of the movie.
Great segment. It seems to me (and I like) that you've more recently slowed down the pacing of these videos and not tried to be exhaustive in trying to "cover" every possible question or nuance of each sweeping topic. I also like seeing works I've never known about before, from all different cultures.
Many years ago, I walked into the Phillips Collection and was taken by surprise by Pierre-Auguste Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party. It was so large -- the figures seemingly life-size -- and I was struck by the beauty of the painting, bound up with the beauty of these young people and their pleasure at being young and at their leisure -- and then, at once it struck me, the reality of their all being long gone from this world. I was quite touched by that. I've gone back a couple times to see the painting, but it is never quite as powerful as that first time.
That last happy art is So Cool. I feel like happy art can be more effective bc the sadness of the world is so oversaturated to the point where we stop experiencing empathy and instead feel apathy.
But depicting happiness unites people in life and inspires a drive to be more happy and spread more happiness i think.
Excellent video. We all need to think and feel more in this time of quarantine. I knew some of your examples; others were new. I have Lots of ideas about evoking empathy: The Tilman Riemenschneider altarpiece in Rothenburg, Germany. Anila Quayyum Agha's Intersections. Georgia O'Keefe's morning glories.
I think it’s interesting how photography can be used as a tool to globalize and enable empathy for those you don’t get to see in person. Like, I live in San Francisco, and I think a photography series about the homeless population would be really interesting and would bring a lot of people to really think about the crisis that’s happening. And even though we see homeless everyday, we just automatically ignore them. But photography forces you to look directly at the problem and to think deeper.
Interesting and inspiring as always! Thanks TAA :)
Was working on an abstract art piece while listening(glancing also) and almost cried inbetween steps thru my process. Thankyou! Also, picked up work on my work after ur vid on creativity being overrated during corontine
case for sound art. case for sound art. case for sound art. you guys are awesome keep it up!
I don't think I've ever thought of it exactly like that. I Definitely agree with most of this video well put
I feel as though it’s important to note that empathy can be happy. You can feel empathetically proud, calm, and blissful.
I love this channel more and more!
Excellent video. The darker aspect of using empathy in political propaganda which although illustrated in this video was not explicitly discussed. The images from the Great Depression is an example of using empathy for the purpose of political persuasion as much as anything, maybe with a good result in that case but not in many others.
There is hardly anything "dark" about persuading us to view other people as human, and realize they are suffering.
If your argument is that "Empathy makes us change political decisions, therefore is bad", your issue is not with empathy, but with your politics.
@@t.vinters3128 Exactly my point. Empathy in political propaganda is as old as political propaganda. The painting by Goya is unambiguously a masterpiece and certainly an excellent example of portraying empathy in art, but it was also propaganda intended as much to evoke a negative empathetic response to the French occupiers as a positive response to the Spaniard being executed. All depends on the target audience.
@@deepashtray5605 Well, if you are doing something horrible, pointing it out is not "dark". Of course when it comes to conflicts, odds are there is suffering on both ends. And as soon as you realize that the "Others" are feeling, sentient beings, too, the more likely you are to want them, too, to not suffer needlessly.
@@deepashtray5605 Here's the funny thing with empathy: The fact you acknowledge people's humanity, does not make other people's humanity lesser. That's not "creating empathy", that's writing really bad DC comics villains.
@@t.vinters3128 Maybe, but you can't deny it is an aspect of using empathy in art to lessen the humanity of others. The very basis of your own position is the use of empathy to affect the opinions of others, which is a core tactic in politics. If you want to deny a dark side of empathy in art exists then you are ignoring a huge facet of the topic and losing out on a deeper understanding of the human condition as told through art.
these videos are so well done, thank you for your observations and wisdom
I love this so much! Wish you had a podcast!!
im so glad channels running
i feel like empathy has become a goal in our society today. It has become an accomplishment that people can show off to their friends and peers.
Yes, the pretense of empathy is very fashionable among the social Left. Of course, it's fake and hard as a thick plastic.
@@howtubeable too true. art is about the communication of genuine emotion, not building up a pretense of empathy that can be worn around like a trophy.
Great vídeo! Love channel. Thank you very much for your dedicated work.
You have always created these in-depth video analysis of art and I enjoyed them quite a lot.
But just wanted to share my two cents about your lighting technique:
Perhaps you can try lighting one key light in front of you directly, so the shadows from your glasses would be shown near your eyes. And as for the background shadow created by you from the front key light, you could perhaps light two more lightings on each side and of the background.
Or maybe I’m just thinking I’m smart. Haha. Appreciating your video contents!
Funny, "The Third of May" doesn't make me ache for the subject at all - then again, I haven't trained myself to appreciate classic art. The concept is there but the style seems flat and nearly inaccessible. It's like music I have no connection to or an accent I can't parse.
I'm not a skilled artist yet, but that could be a cool exercise - redrawing "The Third of May" so that I think it _does_ convey all the things listed about it, and puzzling out the ways artists' "dialogue" has changed + what has contributed to the disconnect I feel.
There’s a rational part of empathy: to think about what other people went/are going through and understand what emotion they felt/feel.
And there’s an emotional part of empathy: to feel what other people felt/are feeling and to grieve/rejoice with them.
As a teacher I can help children and teenager develop the rational thinking part. But (sadly) I cannot force the emotion - the „Mitgefühl“ - the feeling with.
What is the most challenging to me is accepting people in this world that don’t/can’t/refuse to empathize in any way!
The paintings that challenge me the most to think empathetically are large, minimalist, blocks-of-color type paintings. They are FAR different from the paintings I like, aesthetically, but are just as impactful, skillful, and deeply critical as anything figurative. Just because I don't immediately love it on the surface doesn't mean its any less valuable or meaningful.
Hooo doggy!
That was a good one. As always, thanks.
Fascinating... and beautiful.
Amazing video!!!!
I really wish some series like these could come back! Does the channel consider making new seasons?
@ The Art Assignment
No matter what have tall you that art is about empathy is as always... it doesn’t matter what you know but how you know.
If you'd like to read more about this Susan Sobtag's 'on regarding the pain of others' is very good. Also mercifully short and readable for a piece of academic writing.
Raw Facts... This presentation style feels like a driving rock ballard in aggressive info delivery mode. Think about dailing it back so it sinks in. Art and Empathy take time. Don't take on these topics if you can't offer the energy and spirit values that are appropriate. Speed history is part of our social problems.
Empathy, to me, is seeing yourself in the other, or seeing yourself outside of yourself. It's the dissolution of one's ego. Awesome channel!!
I also can see emotions in the way of painting or drawing - creating
Me: Watches Silent Voice
Me (~2hrs later): *crying in front of my therapist*
Great Video as always! But could maybe start listing your sources (especially the literature) in the description? It would be especially helpful for the students and art historians among us who want to engage themselves in a topic you talked about and do some further research. Thanks!
Have added some links in the description. It's not thorough but should be a good place to start!
@@theartassignment Thank you, that's awesome!
Im amazed
What had me thinking about the artist mind, was when I first discovered Francis Bacon .
Very interesting journey to understand the meaning and interpretation of the word 'empathy'. I particularly enjoyed how you also beautifully conveyed what quipus are and how these were used. I touched my heart how you narrated the stories surrounding the wonderful drawings by Huaman Poma and included why he did them. Wonderful work!
Just discovered your channel and am all for it 😜
The way she speaks every word just makes believe everything she says.Love her.
Those FSA photographers captured something that feels so innately American , so deeply moving, and those images remain among the starkest remembrances of labour history and economic hardship.
Thank you
wow very inspiring
okay but where did you get that soft looking button down ?
the ambulance call by Jacob lawrence, it was created not to describe the current pandemic situation but now seem very relevant to today's society.