In Ways of Seeing John Berger shows images of nude women in Renaissance paintings and examines how women were represented at that time. Berger stated that women were judged and objectified by men during that time. Comparing that era to today’s time, many things have changed, and so has the attitude of women and men. Although it is still partially true that women are still objectified, women have become more aware of this reality and fight against the notion of how they should be. Women today are often represented as more independent and freer. There are women presented in media platforms to get men’s attention for selling products or for other business purposes, but there are also many other platforms which defy the idea of women being vulnerable and as subservient as Renaissance oil paintings depicted. Berger also mentions that women’s images were made to appeal men’s sexuality, however, today women’s images are not solely to appeal to men’s sexuality but to represent who they are and their own self-expression. 

I would say women today are still viewed in similar ways but we have evolved in the media and have more control on how women are viewed but as well woman are still viewed as a sexual tool because women always want to measure up to what’s being shown by man on either TV, Magazine or any social media platform that’s just not being a realist for woman. It just all depends what the media shows you but like in the videos Berger says it’s on the point of view of the beholder to view someone in that way. Women now do have control over their images despite us having social media platforms that show you how you should look physically, what you should wear and how you should act. We women have more control than what we tend to think but because we’ve always been overruled by men we fail to see that. No matter what we are always viewed by the males gaze and a sexual attraction to them because of the exaggeration of one man’s desire. Like one of the speakers says you see more truth and realness and connection towards a photograph than in a painting. Why? Well because in a photograph you’re seeing an actual person, someone you can connect to, a setting, realness of a woman. In a painting it is viewed by the man and what he sees, the sexual desire and the exaggeration of a woman with huge breasts or bottom in which you can’t really have no connection to or agree because that’s just not how we view ourselves. 

Berger is examining how women are presented as an item and product. Berger begins with images orienting readers in a world we recognize. This is connected to episode 1 in which Berger explains how humans frame their world through what they see. There is a contrast connecting what people perceive and how they understand what they perceive.

In today’s age women do have control over their image in the media. They know how to present themselves in a way to avert the male gaze and they know what is sexual and no one is forcing anybody to portray themselves in a way they don’t want to be portrayed. And they are getting paid to portray themselves in the media that will draw the male gaze in other words they themselves are choosing that role. Berger described that sexuality plays the same role in images of women today and I say it does because in the video Berger said,”Nakedness is a celebration of active sexual love as between two people, the woman as active as the man the actions of each absorb the other”. This shows the sexuality in which is portrayed between male and female in today’s media.

Many people may think women are represented in a different light due times changing over the years and how women view themselves in the household and in general but I still think we are viewed the same. Just as the women were mentioning in episode 2 of ‘Ways of Seeing’ women are painted by men for their satisfaction and not the origin purpose of it. Women can have control over their images in the media but 9 times out 10 it will always be controlled and sexualized by the public (mostly men) because in the entertainment industry ‘sex sells’. The conversations that Berger and the women are having are very relevant today.

As Berger explained in episode 1 which can be connected to what the panel of women were talking about is ‘the image or painting being taken or painted can mean one thing to the photographer or artist but once that photograph or painting reaches your home and etc it has a different meaning to everyone. So now the photograph or painting loses purpose with every replica made.’ The conversations from episode 1 and 2 describes the sexuality in images from 1972 and sadly were are still in the place or maybe a even worse position. You can see it and hear it through out movies, tv shows, award shows, fashion shows, schools, barber shops, hair salons, photo shoots and etc.

In John Berger’s ” Ways of Seeing” he explains how art is observed. John Berger goes over different types of art in episode 1 and state how we could look at art in multiple perspectives and can mean or symbolize something different based on our understanding. Furthermore, John Berger focus on how women is depicted in Renaissance paintings in episode 2 as submissive and pleasurable to men. Representations of women today is objectified in the same way John Berger argues about how women is perceived as sex objects. Today’s society we have social media, magazines, and TV (just to name a few) have a huge influence on how women should view themselves or to attract men attention. In general no matter if the women is naked or even fully clothed they will still be portrayed sexually they don’t have full control of their image. In episode two John Berger stated that “To be naked is to be oneself. To be nude is to be seen naked by others and yet recognized for oneself”. He implies how a women’s naked body viewed in a sexual matter can be a form of nudity.

1. Using  “Entering the Conversation” as described by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein can lead to advantages to a more intellectual discussion with stronger points of views. The main idea of this technique is demonstrated by entering a conversation and listening to all sides of the arguments. By absorbing the arguments of all sides of the conversation, you can formulate your own thoughts and ideas on the subject with a stronger understanding of the topic.
2. The smarthistory videos discuss how learning to look at artwork help us analyze other situations. I agree because it can train you to see different perspectives. When you look at something through your own “lens”, you’re limited to your point of view. By analyzing artwork, you can see the illustrator’s point of view and train your eye’s attention to detail. This can translate to real-life situations by being able to see details that untrained eyes cannot and therefore grasp a better understanding of the problem.

         Using the “entering conversation”gives the writers more benefits because they will be able to have more ideas.Indeed they will be more critical with their thoughts and also will give the idea of what the writer will be talking about. Meanwhile if they don’t use it, they will be creating theories in their writing and their readers will have more questions about.

     I think that it does help us a lot. Being good at looking at photography can bring your mind to look at many details in other cases. I strongly agree with this because I am a follower of photography and that also is my hobby. And the truth is that there is plenty of meaning in photography, and the photography that opens your mind to street photography because of the details and their meaning. Therefore, looking at photography and trying to read their meaning will help you identify more things in other scenes.

Using the model “entering the conversation” is basically about giving us different points of view. This is an advantage because in writing it is very important and intriguing to see all sides of the topic that is being talked about in a cohesive manner. Throughout the writing, the readers will interact by agreeing, disagreeing or both. Using this model will not make the writing predictable.

I only thought that art was for self expression only but I was wrong. Artwork is very crucial to analyzing situations by training us what needs to be in a scene and what doesn’t. It will make it easier for to come up with a conclusion.

1. According to Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein, using the model of ”entering the conversation can be effective because it allows for more discussion to take place. Additionally by using the model individuals are able to incorporate their own ideas whilst also being able to explore new perspectives.

2. After viewing the smart history videos, I agree that learning to look at artwork can definitely help us analyze other situations and help us further improve our communication and analytical skills. Sometimes when we look at art our gaze is being challenged- from there we are able to enhance our perspectives and gain new insight. Also, certain art pieces even have the ability to prepare us for the real world, promote our attention to detail, and in general help us think more critically to analyze complex problems.  Overall, I would say art is a unique experience that can help us as individuals think more critically and understand the complexity of certain things.

Writers should use the model of “entering the conversation” in their writing. There are many advantages of this model. These advantages help writers and are important in creating ideas. One advantage of the model “entering the conversation” is that it helps you create your own thoughts. Another advantage is that you will have a more expanded view of things from this model.

I agree that learning to look at artwork can help us analyze other situations. Looking at artwork can enhance your thoughts. You can also observe art and think about the meaning behind the artwork.