The ear disapproves but tolerates certain musical pieces; transfer them into the domain of our nose, and we will be forced to flee.
Jean CocteauRead
Artists can no more speak about their work, than plants can speak about horticulture.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Artists find it challenging to articulate their creative process, much like plants cannot explain their growth methods.
This quote emphasizes the idea that the essence of artistic expression is often beyond verbal explanation, similar to how plants grow and thrive without the ability to communicate their needs or processes. It suggests that true understanding of art comes from a place beyond words, encompassing feelings, intuition, and subconscious thought.
Themes
ArtExpressionCommunicationCreativityIntuition
In practice
Example use cases
During an art exhibition, one might say this quote to convey the deep, often unexplainable connection artists have with their creations.
More from Jean Cocteau
All quotes →One must be a living man and a posthumous artist.
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All good music resembles something. Good music stirs by its mysterious resemblance to the objects and feelings which motivated it.
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Nothing ever gets anywhere. The earth keeps turning round and gets nowhere. The moment is the only thing that counts.
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Listen carefully to first criticisms made of your work. Note just what it is about your work that critics don't like - then cultivate it. That's the only part of your work that's individual and worth keeping.
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Watch yourself all your life in a mirror and you'll see Death at work like bees in a glass hive.
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