Favorite poems are like favorite children. We definitely have them but we never tell as the others would have their feelings hurt.
Nikki GiovanniRead
Art is not for the cultivated taste. It is to cultivate taste.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Art serves to develop and refine our appreciation for beauty rather than just catering to existing tastes.
This quote by Nikki Giovanni suggests that art is a transformative force that helps to develop our aesthetic appreciation. Instead of simply catering to those who already have refined tastes, art challenges us and encourages the cultivation of new tastes and understandings of beauty, prompting growth and education in our perspectives.
Themes
ArtTasteCultivationCreativityBeauty
In practice
Example use cases
Artists and educators can use this quote to inspire students in a workshop about creative expression.
More from Nikki Giovanni
All quotes βI want to be clear about this. If you wrote from experience, you'd get maybe one book, maybe three poems. Writers write from empathy.
Nikki GiovanniRead
A lot of people resist transition and therefore never allow themselves to enjoy who they are. Embrace the change, no matter what it is; once you do, you can learn about the new world you're in and take advantage of it.
Nikki GiovanniRead
Style has a profound meaning to Black Americans. If we canβt drive, we will invent walks and the world will envy the dexterity of our feet. If we canβt have ham, we will boil chitterlings; if we are given rotten peaches, we will make cobblers; if given scraps, we will make quilts; take away our drums, and we will clap our hands. We prove the human spirit will prevail. We will take what we have to make what we need. We need confidence in our knowledge of who we are.
Nikki GiovanniRead
If you were a pure bolt of fire-cutting the skies I'd touch you-risking my life-not because I'm brave or strong, but because I'm fascinated by what the outcome would be.
Nikki GiovanniRead
Don't want to be near you for the thoughts we share but the words we never have to speak.
Nikki GiovanniRead
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