Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10918 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-05-30
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 290 minutes

DVD Description
Embark on a thrilling journey through time and five continents to the heart of creativity. Fusing social history, politics, science, nature, archaeology and religion, this international landmark series unravels a universal mystery - why the world around us looks like it does. Modern-day mysteries are answered by journeying back to the beginning of civilisation via some of the most amazing man-made creations in the world. A strong narrative thread drives through each film as exciting scientific demonstrations reveal how our minds, and those of our ancient ancestors, relate to art. Beautiful, surprising, compelling and above all, relevant, with a visual ambition worthy of its epic subject-matter, this awe-inspiring adventure will appeal not only to art lovers, but to anyone who has ever wondered about humanity's place in the world.

Special Features
Special Features * Behind The Scenes Footage * Series Interview with Dr Nigel Spivey & Mark Hedgecoe

Synopsis
Explores the impact of art upon the aesthetic construction of the world. How have ancient works of art determined the look of the modern world?

Customer Reviews

How religion made art make the world
I have to say at the outset that I've only seen one episode, the one about cave painting. I started with great enthusiasm but by half-way through I had lost interest - except for the pictures. The aspect that worried me most was the 'revolutionary, new' discovery about the meaning of early art, which relied entirely on the theory of one man, whose qualifications were never mentioned (unless I missed them). This revolutionary theory turned out to be that the art was inspired by religious experiences. Well, there's a surprise. Having discovered this (and there was some interesting footage about what the retina sees in trance states), the 'religious' aspects of it were glossed over as far as possible, whereas if given their full due, the title of the series should have been the title of this review. If, indeed, Spivey's theory is correct.

A rather scrambled section about the San bushmen was interesting, but the glaring omission, if Spivey really wanted to hear from people who still made this kind of art, was any reference at all to Australian aboriginal people. This was a huge gap which undermined any seriousness one might have felt belonged to Spivey's endeavour.

So, despite some useful footage, the very slanted, under-researched and narrow view offered, with not enough real experts or evidence, meant that it was impossible to take it seriously. Not only isn't Spivey Sir Kenneth Clark, he isn't Simon Schama or even Matthew Collings. An opportunity wasted.

Important Series - Highly Educational
This series really makes you think. It's a different take on art and why art is important to us all. I found that with each episode I was left with the clear understanding that I had actually learned something - the multidisciplinary approach really works too. Not every series does that for me. I found all the programmes interesting, educational and thought provoking. I highly recommend this important series to anyone, including those that believe they know about art.

really great stuff
Im a proffesional artist and I must say I find this documentary really eye opening.
each episode is a completly diffrent view on art and there all very interesting.