I just do my work, and I work every day, and my ambition is just to do something better than I last did.
Patti SmithRead
As an artist, I used to think that my responsibility was to do good work. But I had to learn from the '70s on that being a public figure presents another aspect of responsibility.
Interpretation
What this quote means
An artist's responsibility extends beyond their work to how they influence the public as a figure.
Patti Smith reflects on the evolution of her understanding of responsibility as an artist. Initially, she believed that producing quality art was sufficient, but over time she recognized that being a public figure entails additional responsibilities, particularly in how one affects society and engages with their audience.
Themes
ArtistResponsibilityPublic FigureInfluenceArt
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech at an art exhibition discussing the role of artists in society.
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For everything bad, there's a million really exciting things, whether it's someone puts out a really great book, there's a new movie, there's a new detective, the sky is unbelievably golden, or you have the best cup of coffee you ever had in your life.
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I've always felt outside of things; I've always felt different.
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No matter what anybody thinks about any of them, every record I've done has been done with the same amount of care, anguish, pain, suffering, and joy.
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