Gestalt is an idea that posits the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. History, too, is like that; the sum of all human endeavour creates a grand narrative, larger in scope and scale than any single event. Each episode, we will explore a concept that forms a part of this grand narrative by examining some of the events; spread across time and region, that let it flourish. The ultimate goal is to place our present in the context of the past and in preparation for the future.
This history podcast is less about names, dates and events and more about the inferences we can draw from them. Strap on for a journey across time and region that wants to assign meaning to a hopelessly, infuriatingly meaningless world.
Art with/out context: Part 1 – Gestalt History
Can art exist without context? Should it? What responsibilities do we have to ensure that we educate ourselves about its history? This two-part series explores our complex historic associations with ART as a social phenomenon and the role it plays in our lives.
Part one explores ideas of attribution and appropriation. Who and what influences art, tastes and contexts. Art is explored through fashion, music, dance, two clocks on a wall symbolising AIDS, paintings, the 2002 Oscar de la Renta collection of cerulean gowns and more.
Episode transcripts available here
Music:
Long Road Ahead by Kevin MacLeod
https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3996-long-road-ahead
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Evening Fall (Harp) by Kevin MacLeod
https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3720-evening-fall-harp-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Sorrow by Alexander Nakarada
http://www.serpentsoundstudios.com
Licensed: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Gestalt History 