Like the collector, the photographer is animated by a passion that, even when it appears to be for the present, is linked to a sense of the past.
Susan SontagRead
Interpretation is the revenge of the intellectual upon art.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that intellectual analysis can sometimes impose its own meaning onto art, overshadowing the art's original intent.
Susan Sontag's quote highlights how the act of interpretation can serve as a form of critique against the purity of art. It implies that when intellectual minds dissect and analyze art, they may impose their own judgments and perspectives, which can distort the original essence and emotional experience that the art aims to convey. Instead of appreciating art for what it is, the interpretation can become a tool for intellectual dominance, overshadowing the raw, subjective experience of the viewer.
Themes
InterpretationArtIntellectualMeaningCritique
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on modern art, one could use this quote to emphasize the conflict between intellectual analysis and personal interpretation.
More from Susan Sontag
All quotes βScience fiction films are not about science. They are about disaster, which is one of the oldest subjects of art.
Susan SontagRead
Gide and I have attained such perfect intellectual communion that I experience the appropriate labor pains for every thought he gives birth to!
Susan SontagRead
Volume depends precisely on the writer's having been able to sit in a room every day, year after year, alone.
Susan SontagRead
In NY sensuality completely turns into sexuality - no objects for the senses to respond to, no beautiful river, houses, people. Awful smells of the street, and dirt... Nothing except eating, if that, and the frenzy of the bed.
Susan SontagRead
It hurts to love. It's like giving yourself to be flayed and knowing that at any moment the other person may just walk off with your skin.
Susan SontagRead
Similar quotes
I tend to think of the act of photographing, generally speaking, as an adventure. My favorite thing is to go where Iβve never been.
Diane ArbusRead
The most extraordinary discoveries are made when the artist is overwhelmed by what he has to say.
Boris PasternakRead
One of the privileges you have of living the life of an artist and creating your own world and everything is the fact that, in-between times, you can kind of spend them however you want. Because, you know, once you open up your candy store again, you're open for business. And you have to be responsible. You have to be available.
Quentin TarantinoRead
The moment we cry in a film is not when things are sad but when they turn out to be more beautiful than we expected them to be.
Alain De BottonRead
With film roles, it just has to be a character either I haven't done before, or a role with somebody really interesting or with an interesting person or group of people.
Robin WilliamsRead
The camera could be a very powerful instrument against discrimination, against poverty, against racism.
Gordon ParksRead