If it adapts itself to what the majority of our society wants, art will be a meaningless recreation.
Interpretation
Art loses its value when it conforms solely to societal expectations.
In this quote, Albert Camus suggests that if art only caters to the desires and tastes of the majority, it becomes devoid of its true significance and creativity. Instead of challenging perspectives or expressing individuality, art that simply reproduces what is popular or widely accepted fails to serve its higher purpose of provoking thought and inspiring emotions.
In practice
During a gallery opening, to encourage artists to remain true to their vision.
The Poor Man whom everyone speaks of, the Poor Man whom everyone pities, one of the repulsive Poor from whom charitable souls keep their distance, he has still said nothing. Or, rather, he has spoken through the voice of Victor Hugo, Zola, Richepin. At least, they said so. And these shameful impostures fed their authors. Cruel irony, the Poor Man tormented with hunger feeds those who plead his case.
The certainty of a God giving meaning to life far surpasses in attractiveness the ability to behave badly with impunity. The choice would not be hard to make. But there is no choice and that is where the bitterness comes in. The absurd does not liberate; it binds.
Between history and the eternal I have chosen history because I like certainties. Of it, at least, I am certain, and how can I deny this force crushing me.
Don't wait for the last judgment - it takes place every day.
A single sentence will suffice for modern man. He fornicated and read the papers. After that vigorous definition, the subject will be, if I may say so, exhausted.
At times I feel myself overtaken by an immense tenderness for these people around me who live in the same century.
When people say that moviegoing is dead, I go, 'OK, so the makers of 'Get Out' should've sold that movie to a platform? Then they don't have this insane, crazy success theatrically all over the world.'
A work of art has no importance whatever to society. It is only important to the individual.
Simple music is the hardest music to play and blues is simple music.
Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used.
People are already finding ways to make their music and play it in front of people and have a life in music, I guess, and I think that's pretty much all you can ask.
Acting is not about being someone different. It's finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there.
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