I’m a huge fan of Ways of Seeing! Sometimes I pull it off the shelf and dive into random pages—it always feels fresh and thought-provoking. I’m definitely adding the other books you mentioned to my reading list!
You may of course know of this, but there is a gorgeous, unique volume of correspondence between Berger and John Christie, titled ‘I Send You This Cadmium Red…’. It’s about colour (obvs) and so much more - a really rich and special book. That’s a great trio of books you’ve referenced btw, and a clever, succinct reflection on the necessity of art theory. Thank you.
I could not agree more with this list! I love John Berger especially. I often think about what he would say about tiktok and social media and the arts in general.
Thanks for this. I read Ways of Seeing back in the early 1980s (I think). Great. I also have his book on Picasso. Splendid, one of photography and a couple of his novels.
This is a beautiful writing, thank you! I also love George Nelson’s How to See: Visual Adventures in a World that God Never Made. I think you might enjoy it too!
Really enjoyed this - I studied art history to degree level… this was really art theory, as the course was designed to show the inseparability from the eg social, economical, philosophical context of where and when the artwork, building, film etc was created … I have gone on to create art projects with a range of people … in a range of social and cultural settings… and my love of art history and art theory continues to inform my practice … thanks for sharing (I have a deep love of Berger’s writings)
Hi Rebecca, thanks for such interesting reading and thought provoking topics.
And yet more books to buy and BBC to chase up ie John Berger. The 70s was an interesting time for a whole range of reasons ( and so is now, by the way), but I was there then too.
The filter of perception thing is so critical.
Thinking of Gaugin and his sort of sexual behaviour in Tahiti and recent critique and how that has shaped perception of him and his art, which sort of morphed into my now total disgust of Woody Allen and his movies (once liked) after his relationship with his ex wife's adoptive daughter. Only in America ! Well not just there.
Art without Men; now that/s a thing. And Colour. Always wanted to source the colour whheel and circle as prints.
Thank you, Rebecca! This is, as always, a reminder, a pointer, and a lovely reflection. You bring us things worth reading, seeing and - above all - thinking about. Thank you.
You mentioned how Fox taught you that “the art historian [can] (and in fact simply must) bridge the gaps between academic and mainstream”. It feels as though that’s exactly what you’re doing in your own work, so thank you. I know that’s something important to me, too: nothing should be beneath our notice, and nothing should be beyond our reach.
Despite owning a copy, I’ve somehow never read the Berger. But now I’ll pick it up again! One thing of personal interest will be how its approach differs from Barthes on the one hand (La Chambre claire) and Sontag (e.g. On Photography and elsewhere). I know enough to be sure it will!! Have you encountered those things, too?
I’m a huge fan of Ways of Seeing! Sometimes I pull it off the shelf and dive into random pages—it always feels fresh and thought-provoking. I’m definitely adding the other books you mentioned to my reading list!
It's a brilliant text. I have no idea why its format of the visual essay didn't catch on!!
You may of course know of this, but there is a gorgeous, unique volume of correspondence between Berger and John Christie, titled ‘I Send You This Cadmium Red…’. It’s about colour (obvs) and so much more - a really rich and special book. That’s a great trio of books you’ve referenced btw, and a clever, succinct reflection on the necessity of art theory. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great recommendations! I've been meaning to get to the Hessel for a while now. This was a good reminder to bump it up the priority list!
I could not agree more with this list! I love John Berger especially. I often think about what he would say about tiktok and social media and the arts in general.
Thanks Luka!!
Thanks for this. I read Ways of Seeing back in the early 1980s (I think). Great. I also have his book on Picasso. Splendid, one of photography and a couple of his novels.
This is a beautiful writing, thank you! I also love George Nelson’s How to See: Visual Adventures in a World that God Never Made. I think you might enjoy it too!
I really appreciate your compliments about the writing! I will definitely check that book out 👍
Wow these are awesome recommendations! I’m adding them all to my “to be read.” Thanks Rebecca!
Glad to help!!
Thanks so much for this read 🥰
Correction: …Splendid. One on photography…
Really enjoyed this - I studied art history to degree level… this was really art theory, as the course was designed to show the inseparability from the eg social, economical, philosophical context of where and when the artwork, building, film etc was created … I have gone on to create art projects with a range of people … in a range of social and cultural settings… and my love of art history and art theory continues to inform my practice … thanks for sharing (I have a deep love of Berger’s writings)
Thanks so much for the recommendations! I’m going to look for “Art Without Men.”💕
Oh, I just purchased Ways of Seeing for a friend but haven’t read it myself — now need another 😁
Thank you Rebecca, great recommendations!
Three for me. It’s a pleasure to read you. 🫶🏻
Hi Rebecca, thanks for such interesting reading and thought provoking topics.
And yet more books to buy and BBC to chase up ie John Berger. The 70s was an interesting time for a whole range of reasons ( and so is now, by the way), but I was there then too.
The filter of perception thing is so critical.
Thinking of Gaugin and his sort of sexual behaviour in Tahiti and recent critique and how that has shaped perception of him and his art, which sort of morphed into my now total disgust of Woody Allen and his movies (once liked) after his relationship with his ex wife's adoptive daughter. Only in America ! Well not just there.
Art without Men; now that/s a thing. And Colour. Always wanted to source the colour whheel and circle as prints.
And you mention Simon Schama again!.
Think I have another of your posts to comment on.
Always exciting.
Thank you, Rebecca! This is, as always, a reminder, a pointer, and a lovely reflection. You bring us things worth reading, seeing and - above all - thinking about. Thank you.
You mentioned how Fox taught you that “the art historian [can] (and in fact simply must) bridge the gaps between academic and mainstream”. It feels as though that’s exactly what you’re doing in your own work, so thank you. I know that’s something important to me, too: nothing should be beneath our notice, and nothing should be beyond our reach.
Despite owning a copy, I’ve somehow never read the Berger. But now I’ll pick it up again! One thing of personal interest will be how its approach differs from Barthes on the one hand (La Chambre claire) and Sontag (e.g. On Photography and elsewhere). I know enough to be sure it will!! Have you encountered those things, too?