Shut Down, Shut Up

Michel Foucault's "The History of Sexuality" is a groundbreaking work that challenges traditional understandings of sexuality and its relationship to power. Foucault argues that sexuality is not a timeless essence but a historically constructed concept, shaped by social and political forces. He examines the ways in which discourse and institutions have regulated and controlled sexuality, exploring the emergence of concepts like repression and confession. The book offers a critical analysis of the ways in which sexuality has been used to define and control individuals and populations. Foucault's work has had a profound impact on the fields of history, sociology, and gender studies, influencing discussions about power, knowledge, and identity.

In 'Ways of Seeing,' John Berger and his co-authors argue that the way we see art has been manipulated by a privileged minority to preserve their social and economic dominance. The book, based on a 1972 BBC television series, consists of seven essays, four of which use words and images, and three that are entirely pictorial. Berger critiques traditional Western artistic and cultural canon, particularly focusing on the male gaze, the portrayal of women in art, and the impact of mechanical reproduction on art. The book has had a profound influence on feminist readings of popular culture and art history, and it remains a seminal work in the field of art criticism.