
As quoted in Paul Klee, 1879-1940 (2000) by w:Susanna Partsch, p. 47
"Craftsmanship"
I'm a Born Liar (2003)
Context: I discovered that what's really important for a creator isn't what we vaguely define as inspiration or even what it is we want to say, recall, regret, or rebel against. No, what's important is the way we say it. Art is all about craftsmanship. Others can interpret craftsmanship as style if they wish. Style is what unites memory or recollection, ideology, sentiment, nostalgia, presentiment, to the way we express all that. It's not what we say but how we say it that matters.
As quoted in Paul Klee, 1879-1940 (2000) by w:Susanna Partsch, p. 47
Source: Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life
Source: Elizabeth Day Damien Hirst: 'Art is childish and childlike' http://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2010/sep/26/damien-hirst-art, The Guardian, 26 September 2010
“He knows all about art, but he doesn't know what he likes.”
Cartoon caption, The New Yorker (4 November 1939). Parody of "I don't know much about art, but I know what I like."
"Word Dance — Part One", A Thurber Carnival (1960)
Cartoon captions
Variant: He knew all about art, but he didn't know what you like.
The Library of Foresight, edition 3 of The Trilogy by John Sai, p. iii.
As quoted in "In conversation with Kate Bush" by Elio Iannacci in MacLeans (28 November 2016)
Context: The great thing about art on any level is that it can speak to all people if it’s achieved properly. When I’ve heard a piece of music or seen a painting that moves me, it gives me something. That’s such an incredibly special experience. I have intentions as a writer, but people — when they’re listening to a track — will take from it what they interpret. Sometimes people mishear my lyrics and think a song’s about something it isn’t. That doesn’t matter. If it speaks to them and they get something positive from it, it’s great.
Quote of Ad Reinhardt (1963); as cited in: Joseph Kosuth, (1969), " Art after Philosophy http://www.ubu.com/papers/kosuth_philosophy.html"
1956 - 1967
Variant: The one thing to say about art is that it is one thing. Art is art-as-art and everything else is everything else. Art as art is nothing but art. Art is not what is not art.