I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.
Duke EllingtonRead
There is no art without intention.
Interpretation
Art requires a purposeful intent behind its creation.
Duke Ellington's quote emphasizes the idea that true art cannot be created without a deliberate intention from the artist. It suggests that art is not just a product of random chance or mere technique; rather, it is a reflection of the creatorβs inner purpose, thoughts, and feelings, making intention a crucial component of artistic expression.
In practice
In a discussion about what makes a painting profound, one might quote Duke Ellington to emphasize the need for intention.
I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.
Tomorrow is in the wings waiting for you to sound her entrance fanfare.
There is nothing to keeping a band together. You simply have to have a gimmick, and the gimmick I use is to pay them money!
Gray skies are just clouds passing over.
Playing 'bop' is like playing Scrabble with all the vowels missing.
Jazz is a good barometer of freedom.
Any artist should be grateful for a naive grace which puts him beyond the need to reason elaborately.
I always write a draft version of the novel in which I try to develop, not the story, not the plot, but the possibilities of the plot. I write without thinking much, trying to overcome all kinds of self-criticism, without stopping, without giving any consideration to the style or structure of the novel, only putting down on paper everything that can be used as raw material, very crude material for later development in the story.
Singing provides a true sense of lightheartedness. If I sing when I am alone, I feel wonderful. It's freedom.
As a dramatist, you have 200 choices at every fork in the road. But the audience will reject it if you make the wrong choice, if they feel you are trying to shape the character in a way that suits you. It rings false immediately. People can sense when you're being cynical or schematic.
I prefer the old masters, by which I mean John Ford, John Ford, and John Ford.
Poetry is prose bewitched, a music made of visual thoughts, the sound of an idea.
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