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All art is unstable. Its meaning is not necessarily that implied by the author. There is no authoritative voice. There are only multiple readings.
David Bowie
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Art's meaning is subjective and can vary from person to person, regardless of the artist's intentions.

David Bowie's quote emphasizes the fluidity and subjectivity of art. It suggests that art does not have a singular, authoritative interpretation defined by the creator; instead, it opens up to multiple perspectives and meanings based on individual experiences and insights. This idea encourages viewers to engage personally with art and derive their own significance, highlighting the dynamic relationship between the piece and its audience.

Themes

ArtMeaningSubjectivityInterpretationExpression

In practice

Example use cases

During a discussion on art interpretation at a gallery, you could use this quote to illustrate how different perspectives enhance the experience of art.

More from David Bowie

All art really does is keep you focused on questions of humanity, and it really is about how do we get on with our maker.
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I guess, taking away all the theatrics or the costuming and the outer layers of what I do, I'm a writer... I write.
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I always had a repulsive need to be something more than human.
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Nothing prepared me for your smile
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But I've got to think of myself as the luckiest guy. Robert Johnson only had one album's worth of work as his legacy. That's all that life allowed him.
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I'm an early riser. I get up between five and six, have coffee, and read for a couple of hours before everyone else gets up.
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