I was meant to be a composer and will be I'm sure. Don't ask me to try to forget this unpleasant thing and go play football - please.
Samuel BarberRead
We attempted perfection; we wanted an object to be without flaw, so we cut the papers with a razor, pasted them down meticulously, but it buckled and was ruined... that is why we decided to tear prewrinkled paper, so that in the finished work of art imperfection would be an integral part, as if at birth death were built in.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the beauty of embracing imperfections in art and life.
Hans Arp’s quote reflects the idea that striving for perfection can often lead to failure and frustration. Instead, by accepting and incorporating imperfections, one can create pieces of art that are more authentic and resonant, highlighting the inherent beauty in flaws—suggesting that just as life includes both birth and death, art should also acknowledge its own imperfections.
Themes
ImperfectionArtAuthenticityCreationBeauty
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about artistic processes at a gallery opening, I might say, 'As Hans Arp reminds us, embracing imperfection can lead to the creation of truly unique works.'
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