The creation of a work of art, like an act of love, is our one small 'yes' at the center of a vast 'no.'
Interpretation
Creating art is a positive affirmation in a world often filled with negativity.
Gore Vidal's quote highlights the act of creation, whether it be in art or in love, as a significant gesture of affirmation and positivity amidst the overwhelming negativity that might surround us. It suggests that in a world that often says 'no' to many endeavors, the act of producing art or expressing love stands out as a meaningful and productive acknowledgment of existence.
In practice
This quote can be shared during an art exhibit opening to inspire artists.
We must declare ourselves, become known; allow the world to discover this subterranean life of ours which connects kings and farm boys, artists and clerks. Let them see that the important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
American writers want to be not good but great; and so are neither.
Writing fiction has become a priestly business in countries that have lost their faith.
The important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
For the average American, freedom of speech is simply the freedom to repeat what everyone else is saying and no more.
Ayn Rand's 'philosophy' is nearly perfect in its immorality, which makes the size of her audience all the more ominous and symptomatic as we enter a curious new phase in our society.... To justify and extol human greed and egotism is to my mind not only immoral, but evil.
The number of flavors is infinite, for every soluble body has a peculiar flavor, like none other.
I'm very proud of the Rome episode of 'No Reservations' because it violated all the conventional wisdom about making television. You're never, ever supposed to do a food or travel show in black and white.
I believe more in the scissors than I do in the pencil.
In my view, art and the approach to life through art, using it as a vehicle for education and even for doing science is so vital that it is part of a great new revolution that is taking place. I believe we are entering a whole new epoch.
I always say I write because I have questions, not because I have answers. It's true that you begin the conversation - that's the role of the artist. But it's not my job to tell us what to do next. I wish I had those tools.
I wrote 'My Name is Red' just to remember painting, where the hand does it before the intellect. When I'm captive to it, I'm a happier person. Kierkegaard tells us that a happy person is someone who lives in the present; the unhappy person, someone who lives either in the past or the future.
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