A man climbs a mountain because it is there. An artist makes a work of art because it is not there.
Carl AndreRead
Every time you work, you have to do it all over again, to rid yourself of this dross. I suppose for a person who is not an artist or not attempting art, it is not dross, because it is the common exchange of everyday life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the relentless effort artists must invest in their work to achieve purity and quality, distinguishing it from mundane tasks in everyday life.
Carl Andre highlights the continuous struggle artists face in their creative process, suggesting that each attempt is fraught with the need to eliminate unnecessary elements ('dross') that detract from the true essence of their art. For those not engaged in art, these everyday activities may seem valuable, but for an artist, there is a constant pursuit of clarity and meaning that requires repeated effort and self-assessment.
Themes
ArtCreativityEffortStruggleProcess
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the creative process during an art class.
More from Carl Andre
All quotes →My art will reflect not necessarily conscious politics but the unanalysed politics of my life.
Carl AndreRead
My art springs from my desire to have things in the world which would otherwise never be there.
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