The Argument of Berger - Essay Example

Berger’s Argument Berger, in his books explained the major relationship between what we see and what we comment about an issue. He said that what we know will affect the way we see things and what we will comment on those things. He further mentioned that comments from people about issues will vary because the understanding is seen in different perspectives. According to Berger, opinions from others will be influenced by cultural backgrounds and beliefs. This is the reason why people normally have different views concerning things which are happening in the world. As a result, the only way to have a common interpretation on what we see is through dialogue. According to Berger, an image is described as something which has been isolated from a place. The size does not matter but the important thing is the way a creator sees it. Different people therefore perceive images differently because of their thoughts about the image. Berger further asserts that the existence of an image symbolizes an aspect which that does not exist. This thought however did not last for a long time because so many people criticised it saying that an image is a vision of an artist who created it (Grange, 2005). Many artists who create images do so in such a manner that they document the past and thus representing their feelings and thoughts. When an image is used to represent the work of the past, however, it tends to be less visible or unclear leading to the development of unjustified facts which concern form, truth, and beauty. As people change, their views on how they see things change, they get new definitions on various things, and others even change their cultural mystification. This makes the entire definition of an image to be confusing because others have thoughts that for an image to be more remote it has to draw fewer conclusions from history. The impact of a photographer has caused people to give different opinions regarding the definition of an image. Some believe that an image is timeless, an idea that might have come as a result of the camera deceiving them. Impressionists noticed that the images, especially from the camera will continuously change depending on the amount of the light. Berger has also highlighted the major difference between men and women and how they perceive things. He emphasised on these differences by basing on the social characters of both women and men. He said that men can be classified or measured in terms of the energy they have. This power will therefore vary from economic, ethical, moral and physical abilities (Steet, 2000). In comparison to men, the women’s power is often recognised through their likes or dislikes. Most of the women in the society are also recognised when they do something influential, meaning that if a woman becomes passive, then her presence will never be felt by anyone in the society. Some of the people in the society have negative perceptions regarding women. They see them as lesser human beings. However, others have a good perception concerning them because they see them as more productive and important in the society. The educated population have tried to remove the negative perception about womn by showing the importance and roles which women play in the society. In the current society, women obtain reputation when men look at them. From this perception of people towards women, it justified that the way we see things is affected by what we know or what we believe. Berger commented on the European oil painting as a category that has emphasized on women as their major subject. This category of European paintings, has Berger observes reflects the importance of a woman – as a sight attraction to many especially men. Men will be seen concentrating on nude paintings of women. Nude female pictures have been used in paintings and other forms of art to show a belief or a ritual among a particular group. This notion can even be traced to Adam and Eve’s story, when they were naked in the Garden of Eden. Berger has further analyzed these believes and came out with several conclusions. From the story of Adam and Eve has been able to realize that the entire story is symbolic in nature. The fact that they could not see their nakedness before they ate the fruit creates a notion that perception depends on some factors. Berger, on further analysis, affirmed that although Eve was naked in the eyes of Adam, according to her own eyes she was not. This reflects the character of women who dress half necked in the current lifestyle. Berger believes that the modern woman is half naked in the eyes of the person looking at her (men) but in their own eyes (women) they do not see any problem with their dressing or lifestyle. Berger also talked about the connection which exists between oil painting and publicity images, that it is unclear to the cultural prestige. The publicity image has some strong connectivity with the past art which is done through copying or contribution of artists to the current publicity image. This work of art has two main goals; depicting wealth and the beauty. Furthermore, the art has been authorised by the cultural norms which has made it more superior as compared to mere materialism. This work of art has triggered two things namely; the spiritual and the cultural improvement and consumerism. According to Berger, publicity is a tradition in which the consumer society cannot do without. He also expresses the idea of oil painting by concluding that “you are what you have,” This is why publicity did not take the place of post-Renaissance art, instead it acted as an extension of it. However, Berger notes that there are several factors which differentiate oil painting from the publicity. Some of these differences include the fact that the oil painting normally starts with facts. This means that oil paintings shows only things what is real in the world. This certifies he perceptions of the spectators while boosting their ego in a great way. On the other hand, publicity reduces the ego of the spectators. It makes them feel as if life is unfair does not also make them get satisfied with their need. Publicity works under tough principles i.e. a person becomes valuable when he owns something. No one will be recognized without spending. This suggests that money is life and the power to spend money measures the power to live. This statement concludes that money is the key to all human capacities. Publicity plays a very important role in the lives of people since it is the main source of happiness. This happens when publicity becomes significant to the fantasies of the spectator-buyer, so again it opposes the true nature of the reality. Berger reflects the perception of glamour, which he believes to be the latest invention in perception. People in the past, had some varying notions on grace and elegance. People should live in a free society that is fully democratic. People should develop vision so as to achieve what they want to achieve. Glamour can only exist in the society if envy has been widely spread. Berger has also acknowledged the fact that society should be a friendly place which guides people on the positive aspect of life, on how to turn dreams into reality and how to remove the feelings of being useless and powerless. Every individual in the society falls into two categories (Fraser, 2009). One of them is being trapped in a situation where he or she wants to change his situation from where he is to do what he wants to be in life. Berger has given two solutions for such a situation. One of these solutions is having positive attitudes and avoiding the state of feeling helplessness. The second solution is participating in important projects which can shape one’s life. They can also decide to be politically active and do their best to overcome capitalism. Berger believes that publicity can perfectly replace democracy. Individuals therefore can make firm decisions on what to buy and avoid participating on issues which are connected with politics. This will help to develop a sense of understanding of one another democratically and transforming the society to adapt democracy. Publicity is part of the philosophical system which expresses ideas in its own perspective. There is a strong contrast between the real world and the world of the publicity. Berger has given an example of a magazine using harsh images of poverty in developing countries in conjunction with publicity images. This sends alerts of various issues which include the feelings of distrust on the culture that publishes these images next to others. Berger wishes that the advertisers could know this and act fairly though such events might depend on what one thinks and how he or she perceives it. He argued that it would be great if the contrast was based on positive pictures on the photographers and public images. The main issue which brings about the contrast is the fact that publicity is eventless and ever remaining. This has taken the place of events in a more physical and tangible manner. As Berger puts, such a replacement is waiting to be acquired. In conclusion, the image of every person is shaped by various inborn ideas or beliefs of a person. Such attitudes can never be eliminated nor will a person be convinced otherwise concerning his beliefs. Such beliefs form part of the sub-consciousness of a person and the way such people judge things. These beliefs preserve the immortality of his being, the persistence of his interests, the powerfulness of his opinion and judgment. Such ideas are difficult to be completed since it involves the desire and the belief in it – the threat of the unknown especially life after dead. These are things which create a big boundary between life and the world. The present world has utilized various images of the past, for example images which are placed in museums, T-shirts and the advertisement to depict the existence of a certain reality yet that is not the case. These images play an important role in the society by educating people in form of story telling. Berger has argued that the past will never wait to be discovered, to be explored and analyzed so as to know exactly what it is. History has always been the connector between the past and the present, the events which used to be there and how they are perceived currently. Furthermore, Berger has described a museum as a place or an instrument used to influence the past. Museums have taken a wider perspective whereby they are used as an educational centre, cultural centre, for aesthetic purposes, social and political functions. This museum has enabled us to see the past, appreciate what was going on and placing ourselves in history. Without these museums we would not be in a position to see our history and understand where we have come from and besides, we would be deprived of the history which belongs to us. However, many people have distorted the history and termed as irrelevant because of the influence from lack of understanding on usefulness of the history. Berger has also dismissed the traditional approach to history because he believes that the tradition lacks a proper way of interpreting history. He was against traditional beliefs such as “true art can only be accepted by the elite few" and "women bodies should be used to entertain men in the society” such beliefs tend to mislead the young generation and the laws of God. People should drop such ideas and learn on constructive things. Bibliography Grange, L. A. 2005. Basic critical theory for photographers. Focal Press. (4), pp 87-91 Steet, L. 2000. Veils and daggers: a century of National geographic representation of the Arab World Asian American History and Culture Series. Temple University Press (2). Pp 76- 80 Fraser, B. 2009. Language in Life, and a Life in Language: Jacob Mey - a Festschrift. Emerald Group Publishing. (6), pp 123-128 Read More