It's in the act of making things that we figure out who we are.
Austin KleonRead
Usually, when we talk about creativity, it's about self-expression, which is great, but for work to be art or design, there has to be someone on the other end. The audience makes the work come alive.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Creativity involves self-expression but requires an audience to give it meaning.
In this quote, Austin Kleon emphasizes the importance of the audience in the creative process. While self-expression is a crucial aspect of creativity, it is the connection with the audience that truly brings artwork and design to life, transforming it into a shared experience rather than just a solitary act of creation.
Themes
CreativityAudienceArtSelf-ExpressionDesign
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of audience engagement in artistic projects.
More from Austin Kleon
All quotes →Draw the art you want to see, start the business you want to run, play the music you want to hear, write the books you want to read, build the products you want to use – do the work you want to see done.
Austin KleonRead
The best way to get started on the path of sharing your work is to think about what you want to learn, and make a commitment to learning it in front of others.
Austin KleonRead
The only way to find your voice is to use it. It’s hardwired, built into you. Talk about the things you love. Your voice will follow.
Austin KleonRead
If we're free from the burden of trying to be completely original, we can stop trying to make something out of nothing, and we can embrace influence instead of running from it.
Austin KleonRead
Don't think of your website as a self-promotion machine, think of it as a self-invention machine.
Austin KleonRead
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