I see little of more importance to the future of our country and of civilization than full recognition of the place of the artist. If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.
It seems likely that many of the young who don't wait for others to call them artists, but simply announce that they are, don't have the patience to make art.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that some young individuals claim the title of 'artist' without the necessary dedication and patience required to truly create art.
Pauline Kael highlights a trend among some young people who quickly label themselves as artists, suggesting that this quick declaration may stem from a lack of patience to engage in the painstaking process of making real art. By contrasting the act of announcing oneself as an artist with the necessary commitment that art demands, Kael warns that true artistry requires time, effort, and a deep understanding, which some may overlook in their rush for recognition.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in an art criticism article discussing the integrity of young artists today.
More from Pauline Kael
All quotes βThe romance of movies is not just in those stories and those people on the screen but in the adolescent dream of meeting others who feel as you do about what youβve seen.
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What this generation was bred to at television's knees was not wisdom, but cynicism.
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