I was a product of Andy Warhol's Factory. All I did was sit there and observe these incredibly talented and creative people who were continually making art, and it was impossible not to be affected by that.
Lou ReedRead
In the late '70s I started to search for the perfect sound - whatever that might be, before that I was mainly interested in drugs, insanity and the rock'n'roll lifestyle.
Interpretation
This quote reflects the artist's journey from a chaotic lifestyle to a quest for artistic authenticity.
Lou Reed's quote illustrates a pivotal moment in his life where he transitions from the superficial allure of drugs and the hedonism of rock music to a deeper search for artistic expression and the 'perfect sound'. It showcases the complexity of an artist's evolution and the often tumultuous path toward discovering true creativity and inspiration.
In practice
This quote would be great to use in a discussion about the evolution of musical artists at a conference.
I was a product of Andy Warhol's Factory. All I did was sit there and observe these incredibly talented and creative people who were continually making art, and it was impossible not to be affected by that.
I've always believed that there's an amazing number of things you can do through a rock'n'roll song and that you can do serious writing in a rock song if you can somehow do it without losing the beat.
When I record an album I'm trying to get as close as possible to that perfect moment.
That's why I survived because I still believe I've got something to say.
I take drugs just because in the 20th century in a technological age living in the city there are certain drugs you have to take just to keep yourself normal like a caveman. Just to bring yourself up or down, but to attain equilibrium you need to take certain drugs. They don't getcha high even, they just getcha normal.
They put the thing down your throat so you don't swallow your tongue, and they put electrodes on your head. That's what was recommended in Rockland State Hospital to discourage homosexual feelings. The effect is that you lose your memory and become a vegetable. You can't read a book because you get to page 17 and have to go right back to page one again.
Each thing in its way, when true to its own character, is equally beautiful. (p 41)
I am a company in myself. My repertoire has become a bible for all mimes in the world.
On the floor I am more at ease. I feel nearer, more part of the painting, since this way I can walk around it, work from the four sides and literally be in the painting.
If it's a good work of adaptation, the book should remain a book and the film should remain a film, and you should not necessarily read the book to see the film. If you do need that, then that means that it's a failure. That is what I think.
When I have trouble writing, I step outside my studio into the garden and pull weeds until my mind clears--I find weeding to be the best therapy there is for writer's block.
It takes 25 years to learn to draw, one hour to learn to paint.
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