Ways Of Seeing by John Berger - Exam
- 1. John Berger's 'Ways of Seeing' is a groundbreaking work that challenges the conventional perceptions of art and image in the contemporary world. First published as a book and later transformed into a thought-provoking television series, Berger's text delves into the relationship between what we see, how we interpret images, and the societal contexts that influence our perceptions. He critiques the traditional art criticism that tends to elevate fine art while ignoring the power dynamics and commercial aspects that shape our understanding of aesthetic values. By deconstructing the idea of the 'male gaze' and exploring the impact of advertising and media on our views of women and society, Berger emphasizes that seeing is not a neutral act; rather, it is shaped by social, political, and historical factors. His assertion that images can manipulate thoughts prompts readers to reflect critically on their own ways of seeing and the ideological assumptions that underlie their visual experiences. This seminal work continues to resonate today, illuminating how visual culture interacts with issues of identity, consumerism, and power, encouraging a reevaluation of the way we engage with the visual world around us.
What does Berger argue is the effect of the invention of the camera?
A) It had no significant cultural impact
B) It only affected portrait artists
C) It changed the way we see paintings and the world
D) It made painting obsolete
- 2. According to Berger, what does the tradition of oil painting celebrate?
A) Wealth and private property
B) Religious piety and devotion
C) Scientific discovery and progress
D) Democratic values and equality
- 3. What is a key difference Berger highlights between a painting and a photograph?
A) A painting requires more skill to create
B) A painting is always more valuable
C) A photograph is always more realistic
D) A painting is unique; a photograph can be reproduced
- 4. Berger suggests that publicity images (advertising) borrow the language of:
A) Oil painting
B) Religious iconography
C) Abstract expressionism
D) Cave paintings
- 5. What does Berger say publicity/advertising offers us?
A) An envied version of ourselves
B) A guarantee of happiness
C) A truthful view of reality
D) A critique of consumerism
- 6. Berger suggests that the purpose of publicity images is to make the viewer:
A) Appreciate fine art
B) Dissatisfied with their present life
C) Feel happy with what they have
D) Understand economic theory
- 7. What does Berger say is the problem with the 'mystification' of art?
A) It obscures the original political and social meaning of art
B) It makes art too expensive for the public
C) It prevents the restoration of old paintings
D) It encourages too many people to become artists
- 8. Berger's work is fundamentally a critique of traditional:
A) Photographic techniques
B) Art history
C) Television broadcasting
D) Literary criticism
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