BookTalk with Saumya: "Ways of Seeing" by John Berger

It’s the second week of February and most of my airy New Years resolutions usually fizzle out by now. This year I took a different approach: SMART goals with a twist. I want genuine interest to guide my journey so we’ve loosened the reigns a little.

I find that my resolutions also tend fade out around the same time the new year starts feeling a little less new. The spurt of motivation leaves without handing the baton to discipline. To trick my brain into not falling prey to that, I started my new years resolution of reading more, back in the last few months of 2023.

Now I could tell you I’ve enjoyed reading since before I can remember but that would be a lie. I know exactly when my interest in reading books started budding- and not so coincidentally it was also when my interest in writing piqued. 4th grade class with my whimsical- Harry Potter obsessed teacher- Ms. Michael. It was accelerated by my city library’s summer reading program in middle school and by world affairs in high school. But as life and other obligations started catching up to me- both academic and professional, my reading was left behind and has only been sporadic since.

To revive that part of me this year I hope to read as much as I possibly can fit into my schedule (and not beat myself up for the lack of speed). I’m challenging myself to read books in as many disciplines and genres as I can such that eventually, my “comfort zone” to ceases to exist.

Reading was always fun for me and its a bummer it became a tedious chore for a short while. Time to bring it back!

Anyways, enough of the long introspective precursor to this series. Here are my thoughts on Ways of Seeing by John Berger (et al.)

In 7 (optionally worded) essays, this book unveils a renewed significance of the visual world in our contemporary, digitalised landscape. Bathed in the pervasive influence of the internet, our daily lives are interwoven with visual content- both digital and not. The insights of this book become crucial in solving the complexities of our visually saturated environment and the ways in which we perceive it.

We often view art through a narrow lens; confined to museums, labelled “niche,” inaccessible to the common public. The authors challenge this perception and approach to art. They delve into the social and power dynamics that shape what we see and how we see it, opening doors to a world seeping with art beyond the limitations we impose. We're implored to engage in an introspective journey, free from the need of an expert to guide us. Highlighting unconscious biases and stereotypes we readily embrace, It invites us to confront our vanity, see how susceptible we are to manipulation and how much we truly have yet to learn.

Engaging in the visual world is inescapable in leu of digitalisation. Berger examines the language of visual design- the historical and cultural aspects that create it- and its inherent power to influence our responses to images. It becomes a critical tool in navigating the current digital landscape. He delves into the intriguing question of why, despite our innate connection to art, we limit it to formal codification.

One particularly impactful essay sheds light on a feminist criticism of art, examining the nuanced differences between being “naked” and “nude.” Interestingly, the conclusions drawn from this perspective resonate even today, reflecting the class divides embedded in visual media across eras. The concept of the subject staring at the entity from whom they derive their self worth- the way that society has constructed it so- puts intersectionality in feminism at the forefront of its progress.

Moreover, as advertising and marketing strategies evolve in the digital age, Berger’s observations about the manipulation of visual language for commercial purposes become even more pertinent. The book encourages us to question the motives behind the images we encounter online, particularly in the context of targeted advertising, influencer culture, and the construction of digital identities. Understanding the cultural, social, and economic influences embedded in visual representations becomes an essential skill for navigating the digital landscape.

Ultimately, “Ways of seeing” isn’t merely a book about art; it’s a catalyst for introspection and informed engagement with the visual narratives that shape our perceptions. In the age of digitalisation and internet ubiquity, Berger (et al.)’s wisdom offers a timeless foundation for cultivating a thoughtful and empowered interaction with the world around us.

Would’ve DEFINITELY appreciated if the pictures weren't in greyscale and if the whole book wasn’t in a hideous bold font though lol!