The strange power of art is sometimes it can show that what people have in common is more urgent than what differentiates them. It seems to me it's something that theatre can do, but it's rare; it's very rare.
John BergerRead
I wanted to write about looking at the world, so it's more about helping people, or persuading people, to see what is around us; both the marvellous and the terrible.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of perceiving and understanding the complexities of the world, both good and bad.
John Berger's quote reflects his belief that art and writing should serve as tools to help people engage with their surroundings more deeply. By highlighting both the beauty and horrors of the world, he encourages individuals to broaden their perspectives and become more aware of the multifaceted realities we experience daily.
Themes
PerceptionAwarenessArtRealityBeautyHorrors
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on the role of art in society, this quote can be used to illustrate how art can raise awareness of social issues.
More from John Berger
All quotes →Unlike any other visual image, a photograph is not a rendering, an imitation or an interpretation of its subject, but actually a trace of it. No painting or drawing, however naturalist, belongs to its subject in the way that a photograph does.
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We never look at just one thing; we are always looking at the relation between things and ourselves.
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The camera relieves us of the burden of memory. It surveys us like God, and it surveys for us. Yet no other god has been so cynical, for the camera records in order to forget.
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Propaganda requires a permanent network of communication so that it can systematically stifle reflection with emotive or utopian slogans. Its pace is usually fast.
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Being a unique superpower undermines the military intelligence of strategy. To think strategically, one has to imagine oneself in the enemy's place. If one cannot do this, it is impossible to foresee, to take by surprise, to outflank. Misinterpreting an enemy can lead to defeat. This is how empires fall.
John BergerRead
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