Ways of Seeing (1972) | How Woke Is It?

Our VerdictWoke

75%

Ways of Seeing1972

In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected speech. These reviews reflect personal opinions and not statements of fact.

What We Think

For its time, "Ways of Seeing" ushered in a wave of critical theory that would later become core to 'woke' academia. While not as strident as modern examples, it clearly challenges traditional values and advances ideology over pluralism. This is the grandparent of the present-day woke movement in media critique.

Score Breakdown

Compromised:Narrative Integrity

Woke

What is this?

"Ways of Seeing" was more about art theory than narrative, but it clearly foregrounds social critique over traditional art appreciation. The focus on gender, class, and power in representation is heavily emphasized, at times overshadowing more neutral or technical aspects of viewing art. Creativity takes a bit of a back seat to ideology.

Compromised:Cultural Foundations

Woke

What is this?

The series is famous for critiquing traditional concepts of art history, often framing them as reinforcing old power structures, especially in terms of gender and class. It challenges the authority of classic Western values in art but does so in a scholarly and understated British way, not with modern-day bluntness.

Compromised:Ideological Monoculture

Hyper Woke

What is this?

Berger advances a decidedly one-sided critical view, portraying traditional or dissenting perspectives on art as out-of-touch or even complicit in oppression. Alternative readings are given little room, and the series is very much a manifesto for a certain worldview.

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Disclaimer: In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected as a form of free speech and freedom of expression. The reviews and commentary on this site represent personal opinions and interpretations. They are not statements of fact and should not be taken as factual claims about any individual, company, or creative work.