Food, one assumes, provides nourishment; but Americans eat it fully aware that small amounts of poison have been added to improve its appearance and delay its putrefaction.
John CageRead
The white paintings came first; my silent piece came later.
Interpretation
What this quote means
John Cage emphasizes the importance of silence and the creative process in art.
In this quote, John Cage reflects on the journey of his artistic expression, indicating that his initial works, represented by the 'white paintings', laid the foundation for more profound experiences and ideas that followed, namely his famous composition '4'33''. This suggests that the act of creation is layered and can evolve from simplicity to complexity, highlighting the significance of silence and contemplation in understanding art.
Themes
ArtSilenceCreationProcessExpression
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used as an introduction to a discussion on the evolution of modern art in a gallery tour.
More from John Cage
All quotes βWhich is more musical: a truck passing by a factory or a truck passing by a music school?
John CageRead
There was a German philosopher who is very well known, his name was Immanuel Kant, and he said there are two things that donβt have to mean anything, one is music and the other is laughter. Donβt have to mean anything that is, in order to give us deep pleasure.
John CageRead
I remember loving sound before I ever took a music lesson. And so we make our lives by what we love.
John CageRead
I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones.
John CageRead
People who aren't artists often feel that artists are inspired. But if you work at your art you don't have time to be inspired.
John CageRead
Similar quotes
After the film it was raining, a light steady rain. Ruthless neon on the wet streets like busted candy.
Denis JohnsonRead
If a story doesn't give you a hard-on in the first couple of scenes, throw it in the goddamned garbage.
Samuel FullerRead
A voice is very intimate. It's something of your own. So there's always this fear, because you feel naked. There's a fear of not reaching up to expectations. As you become more famous, people come and expect to hear something extraordinary, so you don't want to disappoint them. I feel this sense of responsibility.
Andrea BocelliRead
No author has created with less emphasis such pathetic characters as Chekhov has.
Vladimir NabokovRead
Too few journalists become screenwriters. I say to all the would-be screenwriters: Become journalists. And Iβll say to working journalists: Do not stay journalists. Become screenwriters.
Nora EphronRead
A concert is not a live rendition of our album. It's a theatrical event. I have fun with my clothes onstage; it's not a concert you're seeing, it's a fashion show.
Freddie MercuryRead