A Superb VC Series on Western Art

[Brian E. Lay]

WPCL
A SPLENDID SERIES ON WESTERN ART

Today at our public library I picked up the new, six/volume video
cassette production "Landmarks of Western Art," which I began to
screen this evening as I ate dinner. About IT, no more here, but
as I watched it I found myself comparing it to a set I'd borrowedearlier, duplicated, and added to my personal collection: "Art
of the Western World." And the more I watched "Landmarks," the
more I recalled "Art" with admiration, respect, gratitude even;
an object lesson, if I needed one, in the value of intellect's
ur/tool comparison.

I remembered with what gracious order "Art" progressed all theway from the pre/Hellenics to the post/impressionists and beyondthrough the history of Western painting and sculpture; with whatcare it juxtaposed the created against the natural; intuitions
against ideas; the succession through time of ideals, modes, andtechniques. Wonderful history, magnificent seeing; sustenance
for the senses, the mind, the spirit.

One thing, particularly, I thank "Art of the Western World" for:
the computer remains still, for the most part, in the box, mere
vehicle rather than player. It does have occasional bit parts,
demo walk/ons, but one of the things that set me thinking about
"Art" was simply this: how often, and how badly in "Landmarks"
virtual reality intrudes, unwanted and (apparently) unneeded.
This made me wonder what audience the new series is directed to.
Breast fed, is it, on Dreamworks Formula? Now, adult, incapable
of ingesting any film free of cartoon and cybergimmickry?