The article reflects on the enduring relevance of John Berger, the influential art critic and writer best known for his 1972 series and book "Ways of Seeing." It highlights two current cultural events that underscore his legacy: a new edition of his 1975 book "A Seventh Man," which examines migrant labor in Europe through text and photographs by Jean Mohr, and a dance-theatre collaboration between Nederlands Dans Theater and Complicité titled "Figures in Extinction," which draws on Berger's writings about humanity's relationship with nature and the economy of the dead.
Berger's work matters because it remains prescient in addressing contemporary issues such as migration, climate catastrophe, and the politicization of art. The article argues that Berger's nuanced, humanistic approach—refusing simplification and engaging with ambiguity—offers a powerful counterpoint to today's polarized cultural debates, where curators face accusations of "wokeness" and declining visitor numbers. His insights into the intersection of art, society, and politics continue to resonate, making his writing as relevant now as it was five decades ago.