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Taking photographs is generally an act of 'looking at the…

“Taking photographs is generally an act of 'looking at the object, whereas 'being seen' or 'showing' is what is most interest to one who does a self-portrait...self-portraits deny not only photography itself but the 20th century as an era as well...an inevitable phenomenon at the end of the 20th…” quote by Yasumasa Morimura
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“Taking photographs is generally an act of 'looking at the object, whereas 'being seen' or 'showing' is what is most interest to one who does a self-portrait...self-portraits deny not only photography itself but the 20th century as an era as well...an inevitable phenomenon at the end of the 20th century.”

Yasumasa Morimura

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Photography looks outward; self‑portrait flips the gaze, challenging traditional photography and reflecting 20th‑century cultural shifts.

In simple terms: Self‑portraits reverse the gaze.

Key Takeaway

Question visual perspective.

Themes

art self‑portrait culture media theory

Mood

analytical contemplative

Type

artistic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • gallery shows
  • art criticism
  • media studies
  • cultural analysis

Key Concepts

visual perception identity construction

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does self‑portraiture alter viewer perception?
  • What does it say about 20th‑century identity?
A Different Perspective

May alienate traditional viewers.

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