If only America would realize that the art of Europe is finished - dead - and that America is the country of the art of the future, instead of trying to base everything she does on European traditions!
Marcel DuchampRead
Poets are excellent students of blizzards and salt and broken statuary, but they are always elsewhere for the test. Any intention in the writing of poetry besides the aim to make a poem, of engaging the materials, SHOULD be disappointed. If the poet does not have the chutzpah to jeopardize habituated assumptions and practices, what will be produced will be sleep without dream, a copy of a copy of a copy.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of authenticity and original creativity in poetry, warning against complacency and imitation.
Dean Young highlights the critical relationship between authentic creativity and the practice of poetry. He argues that true poets must engage deeply with their inspirations and materials, risking their established perceptions to create genuinely original work. Without this courage to challenge conventions, poetry becomes lifeless and repetitive, losing its essence and impact.
Themes
PoetryCreativityAuthenticityOriginalityExpression
In practice
Example use cases
In a workshop on creative writing, to inspire students to take risks in their writing.
Similar quotes
The basis for my own work during the years just before coming to America in 1915 was a desire to break up forms - to 'decompose' them much along the lines the cubists had done. But I wanted to go further - much further - in fact, in quite another direction altogether.
Marcel DuchampRead
You write differently in each book. It may appear to be similar to readers, but you're a different writer in each book because you haven't approached that subject before. And every subject brings out a different prose strain in you. Fundamentally, yes, you're contained as one writer. But you have various voices. Like a good actor.
Philip RothRead
Art is something that grows and breathes and lives, and it shouldn't be predicated on the success of box office - but it is. But within that, you have to give people a chance to find their voice, to play, to continue to create.
Ava DuvernayRead
Sometimes you stumble across a few chords that put you in a reflective place.
David BowieRead
If you find a note tonight that sounds good, play the same damn note every night!
Count BasieRead