I go to conventions and universities and talk to young filmmakers and everybody's making a zombie movie! It's because it's easy to get the neighbors to come out, put some ketchup on them.
They want me to write differently. Certainly I could, but I must not. God has chosen me from thousands and given me, of all people, this talent. It is to Him that I must give account. How then would I stand there before Almighty God, if I followed the others and not Him?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's unique talents and convictions, rather than conforming to the expectations of others.
In this quote, Anton Bruckner reveals his inner conflict as a creator who feels pressure to alter his artistic expression to fit in with societal norms. He asserts that his talent is a divine gift and that he must remain faithful to it in order to honor God. This highlights the importance of individuality in the creative process and the moral responsibility that comes with being true to oneself in the face of external expectations.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on creative freedom, one could use this quote to inspire artists to embrace their own unique voices.
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don’t write out of what I know; I write out of what I wonder. I think most artists create art in order to explore, not to give the answers. Poetry and art are not about answers to me; they are about questions.