A mime is a terrible thing to waste.
Marcel MarceauRead
In a clown, we see what we do that makes us laugh and cry. I kept the white face, the tradition of the Pierrot. My clown became a romantic and stylized figure. I wanted to be an abstract and concrete figure, a symbol of humanity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the dual nature of human emotion as presented through the art of clowning, emphasizing its romantic and symbolic aspects.
Marcel Marceau highlights the importance of the clown as a representation of the complexities of human emotion, encapsulating both joy and sorrow. The clown figure, particularly the Pierrot, serves as a stylized symbol that captures the essence of humanity, illustrating how art can evoke deep feelings and connections through its abstract portrayal.
Themes
ClownArtEmotionsHumanitySymbolism
In practice
Example use cases
A performance review highlighting the emotional elements of clown artistry.
More from Marcel Marceau
All quotes →Mime makes the invisible, visible and the visible, invisible.
Marcel MarceauRead
I am a company in myself. My repertoire has become a bible for all mimes in the world.
Marcel MarceauRead
When you're in a play, 50 percent is the genius of the actor, 50 percent is the genius of the author. When a mime is not perfect, you see nothing.
Marcel MarceauRead
Music and silence combine strongly because music is done with silence, and silence is full of music.
Marcel MarceauRead
Mime, like music, knows neither borders nor nationalities.
Marcel MarceauRead
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