Food, one assumes, provides nourishment; but Americans eat it fully aware that small amounts of poison have been added to improve its appearance and delay its putrefaction.
John CageRead
The white paintings came first; my silent piece came later.
Interpretation
What this quote means
John Cage emphasizes the importance of silence and the creative process in art.
In this quote, John Cage reflects on the journey of his artistic expression, indicating that his initial works, represented by the 'white paintings', laid the foundation for more profound experiences and ideas that followed, namely his famous composition '4'33''. This suggests that the act of creation is layered and can evolve from simplicity to complexity, highlighting the significance of silence and contemplation in understanding art.
Themes
ArtSilenceCreationProcessExpression
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used as an introduction to a discussion on the evolution of modern art in a gallery tour.
More from John Cage
All quotes βWhich is more musical: a truck passing by a factory or a truck passing by a music school?
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There was a German philosopher who is very well known, his name was Immanuel Kant, and he said there are two things that donβt have to mean anything, one is music and the other is laughter. Donβt have to mean anything that is, in order to give us deep pleasure.
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I remember loving sound before I ever took a music lesson. And so we make our lives by what we love.
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I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones.
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People who aren't artists often feel that artists are inspired. But if you work at your art you don't have time to be inspired.
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