A man climbs a mountain because it is there. An artist makes a work of art because it is not there.
Carl AndreRead
My art will reflect not necessarily conscious politics but the unanalysed politics of my life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that the artist's personal experiences and unconscious beliefs will influence their art more than deliberate political statements.
Carl Andre expresses the idea that his artwork will naturally embody the political influences within his life, even if they are not consciously intended. This reflects the notion that an artist's background, beliefs, and experiences will inherently shape their creations, whether or not they set out to make a political statement. Thus, the politics of life are often more complex and nuanced than what is overtly acknowledged or articulated in art.
Themes
ArtPoliticsUnconsciousLifeExpression
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in an art class to discuss how personal experiences influence artistic expression.
More from Carl Andre
All quotes →Every time you work, you have to do it all over again, to rid yourself of this dross. I suppose for a person who is not an artist or not attempting art, it is not dross, because it is the common exchange of everyday life.
Carl AndreRead
My art springs from my desire to have things in the world which would otherwise never be there.
Carl AndreRead
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