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Ways of Seeing

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Ways of Seeing by John Berger is a groundbreaking work that explores how we look at art and offers new perspectives on visual culture. Through a combination of essays and image-based chapters, Berger challenges traditional notions of art appreciation and delves into how societal ideologies shape our perception of images. It's a thought-provoking analysis that changes the way we see and understand visual art.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you are intrigued by the relationship between what we see and the social context that shapes our perceptions. Filled with thought-provoking essays and images, it encourages a deeper understanding of art and visual culture.

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Ways of Seeing

Seeing comes before words. The child looks and recognizes before it can speak. But, there is also another sense in which seeing comes before words. It is seeing which establishes our place in the surrounding world. The relation between what we see and what we know is never settled. This is a book on art in various languages.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Based on the groundbreaking BBC television series, Ways of Seeing by John Berger is an innovative and compelling examination of how we perceive visual art. Published as part of the celebrated Penguin on Design series in Penguin Modern Classics, this book delves into the intricate relationships between art, society, and individuals.

The opening premise, "Seeing comes before words. The child looks and recognizes before it can speak," sets the stage for Berger’s profound exploration. He argues that seeing is foundational to our understanding of the world around us; it precedes linguistic expression and remains the primary mode through which we engage with our surroundings. While words can describe our environment, they can never replace the direct experience of seeing.

Ways of Seeing is lauded as one of the most thought-provoking and influential texts on art. First published in 1972, Berger's eloquent narrative was inspired by the BBC television series of the same name. The Sunday Times critic praised it as "an eye-opener in more ways than one," noting how Berger’s perspective on viewing paintings can fundamentally alter the way one perceives visual artworks.

Berger’s analysis is not limited to technical aspects of art but extends to broader socio-political implications, challenging traditional notions and prompting readers to reconsider their preconceived notions. He discusses the power dynamics inherent in the act of seeing and how cultural context shapes our interpretation of visual imagery. With incisive commentary and accessible language, Berger makes art criticism approachable for a wide audience.

If Ways of Seeing sparks your interest, you might also enjoy Susan Sontag's On Photography, another insightful work available in Penguin Modern Classics. Both books offer profound reflections on visual culture and its impact on our understanding of the world.

Series: Penguin Modern Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Ways of Seeing by John Berger is praised for its insightful and thought-provoking exploration of visual culture. Reviewers appreciate its accessible prose and critical perspective on art and media. It's often noted for challenging conventional views on how we perceive and interpret images, making it a valuable read for both art enthusiasts and novices.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141035796

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 September 2008

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Illustration: Integrated illustrations throughout

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 13.0mm

Width: 110.0mm

Height: 180.0mm

Weight: 126g

Pages: 176

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About the Author

John Peter Berger (born November 5th, 1926) is an art critic, painter and novelist.

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