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We live in an era when established values are no longer valid, when prodigious discoveries are being made every year, when catastrophes of unbelievable proportions occur weekly. In ancient Greek the word “chaos” means “gaping void” or “yawning emptiness.” The most effective response to the chaos in our lives is the creation of new forms of literature, music, poetry, art and cinema.
Werner Herzog
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the importance of creativity and artistic expression in response to the chaos and changes in our world.

Werner Herzog highlights that in times of chaos and upheaval, traditional values may lose their significance. As new discoveries and catastrophic events emerge, the best way to navigate through uncertainty is to foster creativity through literature, music, poetry, art, and cinema. These artistic endeavors can provide meaning and understanding in a rapidly changing world.

Themes

ChaosCreativityArtLiteratureMusicPoetryResponseValues

In practice

Example use cases

During a speech at a cultural conference.

More from Werner Herzog

Perseverance has kept me going over the years. Things rarely happen overnight. Filmmakers should be prepared for many years of hard work. The sheer toil can be healthy and exhilarating.
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For a moment the feeling crept over me that my work, my vision, is going to destroy me, and for a fleeting moment I let myself take a long, hard look at myself, something I would not otherwise do--out of instinct, on principle, out of self-preservation--look at myself with objective curiosity to see whether my vision has not destroyed me already. I found it comforting to note that I was still breathing.
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Very often, footage that you have shot develops its own dynamic, it's own life, that is totally unexpected, and moves away from you're original intentions. And you have to acknowledge, yes, there is a child growing and developing and moving in a direction that isn't expected-accept it as it is and let it develop its own life.
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Without dreams we would be cows in a field, and I don't want to live like that. I live my life or I end my life with this project.
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Coincidences always happen if you keep your mind open, while storyboards remain the instruments of cowards who do not trust in their own imagination and who are slaves of a matrix If you get used to planning your shots based solely on aesthetics, you are never that far from kitsch.
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