I paint what cannot be photographed, that which comes from the imagination or from dreams, or from an unconscious drive.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the power of imagination and dreams in artistic expression, highlighting that art can capture the intangible.
Man Ray's statement reveals the essence of his artistic philosophy, suggesting that true art transcends mere reality captured through photography. It speaks to the idea that the artist's inner world, influenced by imagination and dreams, holds greater significance in the creative process, allowing for a deeper connection with feelings and subconscious drives.
In practice
During an art class, to inspire students to express themselves, one might say this quote to encourage them to delve into their imaginations.
I like contradictions. We have never attained the infinite variety and contradictions that exist in nature. Tomorrow I shall contradict myself. That is the one way I have of asserting my liberty, the real liberty one does not find as a member of society.
I do not photograph nature. I photograph my visions.
l photograph what l do not wish to paint and l paint that which l cannot photograph.
Of course, there will always be those who look only at technique, who ask 'how', while others of a more curious nature will ask 'why'. Personally, I have always preferred inspiration to information.
Dada cannot live in New York. All New York is dada, and will not tolerate a rival.
Nature does not create works of art. It is we, and the faculty of interpretation peculiar to the human mind, that see art.
Long before social media existed, the proto-tweets of advertising had penetrated American popular culture: 'A mind is a terrible thing to waste.' 'Where's the beef?' 'A diamond is forever.' 'Think different.' You'd be hard pressed to find a writer's craft that has more directly influenced the vernacular.
I am an artist at living - my work of art is my life.
Architecture is a very dangerous job. If a writer makes a bad book, eh, people don't read it. But if you make bad architecture, you impose ugliness on a place for a hundred years.
Literature is born when something in life goes slightly adrift.
What's lucky about my career in general is that I stumbled into what every writer most wants. Not repeating myself and doing strange things has become my trademark.
If they cut off both hands, I will compose music anyway holding the pen in my teeth.
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