In Orhan Pamuk's "My Name Is Red," the interplay between knowledge and perception is a central theme. The quote emphasizes that knowing something involves recalling a past experience, while seeing something is an immediate understanding that doesn't require memory. This distinction highlights the complexity of human perception and cognition, suggesting that our experiences shape our knowledge of the world.
The mention of painting as a form of remembering the blackness suggests that art serves as a medium through which one can recall and reflect on deeper truths. It implies that artists not only represent the visible but also engage with the emotions and memories associated with colors and themes, particularly darkness, which often symbolizes depth in both memory and experience.