Where are we now? Further thoughts on Ways of Seeing. Issue 2 (2nd September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Edwards, Judith
• Is Part Of: Infant observation. Volume 20:Issue 2/3(2017)
• Page Start: 104
• Page End: 119
• Publication Date: 2017-09-02
• Subjects: Ways of Seeing -- art criticism -- listening -- poetry -- psychoanalysis -- observation -- psychiatry -- dementia; Infant psychology -- Periodicals; Child development -- Periodicals; 155.422
• DOI: 10.1080/13698036.2017.1402690
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-8036

Abstract

ABSTRACT: John Berger, the influential art critic, essayist and novelist died in January 2017. His friend the theatre director and actor, Simon McBurney, said, 'Listener, grinder of lenses, poet, painter, seer. My Guide. Philosopher. Friend. John Berger left us this morning. Now you are everywhere.' Berger insisted that observation was key to the project of 'seeing' truly. Are we there now? Are these ideas indeed 'everywhere'? The author examines this view in the light of current developments in observation, in the psychoanalytic field, while reaching out to other disciplines to make closer links. She uses observations from students, comments they have made about the process of observation, and a moving observation of an old lady with dementia. John Berger prided himself on being a 'listener' as well as an observer, listening with an ear for everything in the other, not only what was spoken, and I hope that we may indeed listen to one another in the service of moving forward across disciplinary lines.