ART OF THE WORLD I – FALL 2026 VIDEOS

Coordinators: Linda Downs, Lynnel Garabedian, Bob Reiss, Ellen Shapiro

Explore major art works across the ages and throughout the world from the Old Stone Age to the present in three semesters.

To view a video click on the link above its description.

ART OF THE WORLD I
First Masters: Global Prehistoric Art

Presenter: Nancy Seng
Presentation Date: September 15, 2026

• Prehistoric Art Video

Did artists working thousands of years ago have anything like our concept of “art”? We’ll look at remarkable objects that anchor the story of our first image makers and let you weigh the evidence. Global in scope, varied in material and still being debated today. Come see how much the textbooks left out.

ART OF THE WORLD I
Mesopotamia: The Beginning of Civilization

Presenter: Susan Diehl
Presentation Date: September 29, 2026

• Mesopotamia Video

Ranging from about 3500 to 340 BCE, Mesopotamia is known for seminal developments in human history. Starting in the fertile valley between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, now Iraq, the people of Mesopotamia were among the first to plant cereal crops allowing for urban living, work specialization, government and social organization. During this time written language appeared and laws were developed that were surprisingly humane and fair (it would take a few thousand years before western laws caught up). It was an era of turmoil with expansive wars. Massive architecture of extraordinary quality celebrated each successive king and his victories.