“Our point of view on this question of the function of art is the same in all cases: there's no more an art of the insane than there is an art of dyspeptic people or the art of people with knee problems.”

“In mathematics the art of asking questions is more valuable than solving problems.”
In re mathematica ars proponendi quaestionem pluris facienda est quam solvendi.

“A large share of our art heritage is now derived from peoples whose idea of art was quite other than ours, and even from peoples to whom the very idea of art meant nothing.”

“The problem is that we are living now with the consequences of the others people mistake. It would be nice to make our own and learn from them. That is the art of democracy. That is the art of citizenship.”

“The assertion that art may be good art and at the same time incomprehensible to a great number of people is extremely unjust, and its consequences are ruinous to art itself…it is the same as saying some kind of food is good but most people can't eat it.”

“The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is-it’s to imagine what is possible.”

“The reason why the music is important is that it's an art form— an ancient art form— that takes in the mythology of our people.”

“[Art is] a means to function thoroughly and passionately in a world that has a lot more to it than paint.”

“The problem with artlike art, or even doses of artlike art that still linger in lifelike art, is that it overemphasizes the discourse within art.”

“My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression, a new way of communication. It is never about exhibiting in museums or about hanging it on the wall. Art should live in the heart of the people. Ordinary people should have the same ability to understand art as anybody else. I don’t think art is elite or mysterious. I don’t think anybody can separate art from politics. The intention to separate art from politics is itself a very political intention.”