Ways of seeing (1972) [video]

Life-changer. I read the book based on this series [1] when I was progressing from doodling / being mostly unaware of visual art to being interested in (seeing and making) visual art. I've never looked back.

In the book, the image quality in it is low so I recommend watching the TV series as linked

[1] https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/014103579X/ref=asc_df_014103579X...

Such an amazing thinker. I'd recommend Bento's Sketchbook as well.

I also really enjoyed this interview with him if you have 15 mins spare: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVBgzqMGYtA

Episodes 2&3 are far more interesting. They focus on paintings as depicting ownership of property. Episode 2 is ownership of females. Episode 3 as ownership of all other property. A history lesson through classical art.

Episode 4 on how we are surrounded by images of "alternate ways of life" is amazing... it's like "taking the red pill" in the Matrix. So much things we take for granted, never even question, taht we take to be the "normal" way of life.

edit: YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jTUebm73IY

Michael Bernstein did a great job explaining the context around this work for Deconstruct Conf 2017. It's worth a watch:

https://www.deconstructconf.com/2017/michael-bernstein-ways-...

More poetry than documentary. Really thoughtful stuff. Interesting to note how prophetic the closing words of the episode turned out.

awesome. i don't normally think of the y-combinator crowd as being into art criticism. thanks for proving me wrong.