People always say when they meet me that I'm not what they expect. I assume they think I'm this super dark and depressing guy, but I like to channel all of those emotions into my work.
Interpretation
The Weeknd reflects on people's misconceptions about him and how he transforms negative emotions into creative expression.
In this quote, The Weeknd discusses the irony of public perception versus his true self. Despite being viewed as a dark and brooding figure, he emphasizes that he transforms those heavy emotions into his artistic work, suggesting that art can be a powerful outlet for personal struggles. This speaks to the complexity of identity and the ways in which individuals might hide their true feelings behind the images they project to the world.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about the transformative power of art in mental health forums.
When you're traveling constantly, every day you become inspired, and it shows in my work, sonically, lyrically, visually. Conversations with women with different accents and stories told in those accents. I like to create characters based on different people I've met, and relationships. I like to tell stories loosely based on real-life events.
I feel like everything we do comes down to how it looks. Even no branding is branding. For example, you had no face or image to put to my music at first. That was branding.
At one point, I didn't care. Now I want as many people to hear my music as possible.
My art, what do you want to say about it? Do you think you can explain the merits of a picture to those who do not see them? . . . I can find the best and clearest words to explain my meaning, and I have spoken to the most intelligent people about art, and they have not understood; but among people who understand, words are not necessary, you say humph, he, ha and everything has been said.
Nothing, of course, will ever take the place of the good old fashion of 'liking' a work of art or not liking it; the more improved criticism will not abolish that primitive, that ultimate, test.
Whereas money is a means to an end for a filmmaker, to the corporate mind money is the end. Right now, I think independent film is very confused, because there's excess pressure in the marketplace for entertainment to pay off.
I don't care who you are. When you sit down to write the first page of your screenplay, in your head, you're also writing your Oscar acceptance speech.
Art is the highest task and the proper metaphysical activity of this life.
Asking a working writer what he thinks about critics is like asking a lamp-post what it feels about dogs.
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