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Seeing Is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees
336 pages, 2009
When this book first appeared in 1982, it introduced readers to Robert Irwin, the Los Angeles artist "who one day got hooked on his curiosity and decided to live it." Now expanded to include six additional chapters and twenty-four pages of color plates, Seeing Is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees chronicles three decades of conversation between Lawrence Weschler and light and space master Irwin.
It surveys many of Irwin's site-conditioned projects―in particular, the Central Gardens at the Getty Museum (the subject of an epic battle with the site's principal architect, Richard Meier) and the design that transformed an abandoned Hudson Valley factory into Dia's new Beacon campus―enhancing what many had already considered the best book ever on an artist.
Lawrence Weschler's book encourages us to explore the way we perceive the world around us. He suggests that our understanding of things is often limited by the names we give them. By forgetting these names, we can see things in a new light and appreciate their true essence.
Weschler uses the life and work of artist Robert Irwin as a case study to show how art can be a tool for exploring perception. Irwin's art is not just about creating beautiful objects, but about challenging the way we see and understand the world.
One of the key messages in 'Seeing Is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees' is the importance of curiosity. Weschler encourages us to question our assumptions and to look at the world with a sense of wonder and intrigue.
The book also digs into the role of language in shaping our perception. It suggests that the words we use to describe things can limit our understanding of them. By forgetting these words, we can see things in a more pure and unfiltered way.
Weschler's book is not just about art and perception, but also about the journey of self-discovery. By challenging our perceptions and questioning our assumptions, we can learn more about ourselves and our place in the world.
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Weschler's book is a masterful exploration of the complexities of perception and the nature of art. It's a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of the human mind and the power of visual art.
Robert Hughes - Art CriticWeschler's work is a profound meditation on the relationship between seeing and understanding, and how our perceptions shape our reality.
Oliver Sacks - Neurologist, AuthorWeschler's book is a brilliant exploration of the paradoxes of vision, offering a deep understanding of how we perceive and interpret the world around us.
John Berger - Art Critic, NovelistWeschler's book is a fascinating exploration of the nature of perception and the ways in which it shapes our understanding of the world.
Susan Sontag - Writer, FilmmakerRecommendations
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