Let’s Talk About Art

Nick Scarfo, Parker Belsky

3/26/18

Eng 110

Professor Emerson

Let’s Talk About Art

The Pyramids of Egypt are wonderful works that have stood tall for thousands of years. They are the resting place for infamous pharaohs, the center of conspiracy theories about how they were actually built, and they are great pieces of artwork. They began being built during the early times of the old kingdom in 2600 BC, until 400 AD. They are considered art, because they were thought up by whoever made the pyramids. They were a vision that was turned into one of a kind architectural masterpieces. They meant something to the pharaohs, and the people who built them. The pyramids are considered a symbol of power for the pharaohs who ordered them built, and for the people constructing them, they didn’t want to disappoint their god like ruler, because they were usually slaves and feared death, or they were dedicated followers of the pharaoh in power. Many people come from around the world to experience the wonders of the pyramids. They are considered one of the Eight Wonders of the World.

When looking at art, the viewer often wonders why it was created in such a way, and in this case, why did the architects of these massive structures design them in the shape of a pyramid? Is there any significance to to it being designed this way for religious reasons, or was it because that was the shape that could allow them to build the biggest tomb possible? These questions will likely never been answered, rather, they add to the wonder that the pyramids bring.  

Our friend Mitch, who has seen many pictures and documentaries depicting the pyramids, believes the pyramids are beautiful, “The pyramids are truly marvels of the ancient world.” Mitch also believes the pyramids have a one of a kind look to them, “ It’s so mystifying that people potentially built these large structures without the technology that people today would need to build the pyramids.” He also wonders who could have actually built the pyramids, which adds onto the wonders of them all, “The fact that these pyramids draw questions about how they are actually built just adds to the mystique that the pyramids carry with them to whoever views them”

When we initially came up with this idea, we didn’t know much about the pyramids other than when we see them in movies and the occasional Netflix documentaries. After researching their significance in Ancient Egyptian society, we have an urge to finally see their beauty in person, rather than seeing them in pictures and movies. A trip to Egypt to see these pyramids with your own eyes would be a once in a lifetime experience, and one you would never forget. The pyramids have also changed our stance on how we view art. The pyramids aren’t just extravagant tombs for the most wealthiest pharaohs, but also the way that they were designed, especially for the time they were built, is something that inspires architects to this day. Nowadays, you see pyramids popping up everywhere. Hotels, attractions, and museums, just to name a few are designed to mimic the pyramids that popped up those many thousands of years ago.   

Work Cited:

1. History.com Staff. “Egyptian Pyramids.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2009, www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/the -egyptian-pyramids.
2. Hennings, Mitch. Personal Interview. 25 March 2018