John Berger Quotes & Sayings (Page 6)

“Until 1954, I'd only ever thought of being a painter, but I earned my money when and where I could. You could say I drifted into writing.”

“Glamour cannot exist without personal social envy being a common and widespread emotion.”

“A drawing is essentially a private work, related only to the artist's own needs; a 'finished' statue or canvas is essentially a public, presented work - related far more directly to the demands of communication.”

“Painting is something that you need to do, if not every day, then certainly most days. It is almost like being a pianist: if you stop, you lose something.”

“The industrial society... recognises nothing except the power to acquire... No other kind of hope or satisfaction or pleasure can any longer be envisaged within the culture of capitalism.”

“Degas was obsessed by the art of classical ballet, because to him it said something about the human condition. He was not a balletomane looking for an alternative world to escape into. Dance offered him a display in which he could find, after much searching, certain human secrets.”

“Post-modernism has cut off the present from all futures. The daily media add to this by cutting off the past. Which means that critical opinion is often orphaned in the present.”

“Perspective is not a science but a hope.”

“Ever since the Greek tragedies, artists have, from time to time, asked themselves how they might influence ongoing political events.”

“'Fahrenheit 9/11' is astounding. Not so much as a film - although it is cunning and moving - but as an event.”