Critical Review 1: Proposal

During the unit we need to work on and submit a Critical Review. It can be in the form either of a 1000 word essay, or an 8 minute presentation such as a PowerPoint presentation. As I access Zoom via my iPad I can’t screen share, therefore I will write an essay. 

I didn’t have much idea about the subject matter, except that it needs to be small, given that 1000 words is barely any words at all. I had thought that I might do something around Art Nouveau, seeing as I’ve been pursuing my interest in this genre as I’ve been working on this unit. Then, two days ago, I was asked to reflect on an image created by Hildegard of Bingen, and, as well as many other thoughts, I was struck by the similarities that exist between Hildegard’s work and that of Mucha eight centuries later, particularly in the form of decorative borders and forms within their images. I’m curious about what unites them in their creative processes, and what factors in their personalities or culture might lead them to the use of similar visual elements.Also about the differences between them in terms of theme and style.

I’m resisting the suggestion to mind map any of this, or to use any of the other techniques for generating ideas, because this area of study already feels too big for 1000 words. I don’t need to pull in any extra ideas or I will have a book rather than a short essay! However, once I begin reading and researching images, i will have a clearer idea of what to include and the bigger question of what to leave out. 

Mucha, Ivy, 1901, http://www.muchafoundation.org/en/gallery/browse-works/object/283

Hildegard of Bingen, Creation, 12th Century, https://www.bingen.de/en/hildegard/hildegards-view-of-creation