Good art theory must smell of the studio, although its language should differ from the household talk of painters and sculptors.
Interpretation
Art theory should be closely connected to the practical experiences of artists but needs to communicate in a more refined manner.
Rudolf Arnheim emphasizes that while art theory should be rooted in the real-life experiences and nuances of artists working in studios, it requires a level of sophistication in language that sets it apart from casual conversations among those creators. This distinction is vital for the development of a deeper understanding of art that transcends everyday language, focusing instead on a more analytical and structured approach to discussing art.
In practice
During a lecture on art theory, one might reference this quote to illustrate the balance between practical artistry and academic discussion.
The dance, just as the performance of the actor, is kinesthetic art, art of the muscle sense. The awareness of tension and relaxation within his own body, the sense of balance that distinguishes the proud stability of the vertical from the risky adventures of thrusting and falling--these are the tools of the dancer.
Nothing is more humbling than to look with a strong magnifying glass at an insect so tiny that the naked eye sees only the barest speck and to discover that nevertheless it is sculpted and articulated and striped with the same care and imagination.
Once it is recognized that productive thinking in any area of cognition is perceptual thinking, the central function of art in general education will become evident.
Man's striving for order, of which art is but one manifestation, derives from a similar universal tendency throughout the organic world; it is also paralleled by, and perhaps derived from, the striving towards the state of simplest structure in physical systems.
The arts are neglected because they are based on perception, and perception is disdained because it is not assumed to involve thought.
Variety is more than a means of avoiding boredom, since art is more than an entertainment of the senses.
The photograph should be more interesting or more beautiful than what was photographed
I understand that people want to just listen to a track and put it on their iPod, and that's fine, there's nothing wrong with that, but why can't that exist hand in hand with an album? They're such different experiences.
I think it's our responsibility as artists to not only fight for our art but fight for the communities that are the reason we're able to continue making art, especially since, in Brooklyn's case, we as artists somehow made it 'cool' enough for the bigger money-making industries to start taking over.
It's a very good time for horror. This business certainly has changed, but there's still room for serious horror films. Look at 28 Days Later, that's not a tongue-in-cheek picture.
Fantasy is like jam. . . . You have to spread it on a solid piece of bread. If not, it remains a shapeless thing . . . out of which you canβt make anything.
Never try to make the same record twice, even when people are screaming for the same sound.
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