Art is Essential to Life — FAQ
What sets art apart from other pursuits? Based on remarks by a sampling of artists, the definition is multifaceted, individualized, and universal.
Truth
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. — Aristotle
Art is a lie that makes us realize truth. — Pablo Picasso
Daring, nonconformity, innovation
All great truths begin as blasphemies. — George Bernard Shaw
No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings. — William Blake
If there's any message to my work, it is ultimately that it’s OK to be different, that it’s good to be different, that we should question ourselves before we pass judgment on someone who looks different, behaves different, talks different, is a different color. — Johnny Depp
The fact that we haven't focused on the love triangle between Arthur, Lancelot and Guinevere was actually one of the things that made me want to do the film. It's interesting to tell it in a completely new way. — Keira Knightley
Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. — Robert Frost
Transcendence
It seems to me that those songs that have been any good, I have nothing much to do with the writing of them. The words have just crawled down my sleeve and come out on the page. — Joan Baez
I believe in imagination. I did Kramer vs. Kramer before I had children. But the mother I would be was already inside me. — Meryl Streep
A song is anything that can walk by itself. — Bob Dylan
I pretty much try to stay in a constant state of confusion just because of the expression it leaves on my face. — Johnny Depp
What traits do artists have in common?
Humility and self-doubt coexist with commitment, determination, and chutzpah (audacity).
I don't consider myself to be a major talent, so the only solace I can take is to hope I'm growing. — Paul Simon
The great thing about rock and roll is that someone like me can be a star. — Elton John
I’m scared to death pretty much every time I play. I hope it doesn’t show. That’s not a fun person to watch. »Nuvo interview with Beech Grove-based singer/songwriter Brandon Whyde.
They say I was a bad Batman, that it was my fault, that I buried the franchise. But the truth is, it was a big project. I was pretty intimidated in that world. I did the best I could in the situation I was given. — George Clooney
The only failure is not to try. — George Clooney
I don`t think I can call myself an actress yet. I just don`t think my skill level is that high. I hope that with every job it gets better. But until I`m good, I can say I`m trying to be an actor, but I don`t think I`ve completely made it. — Keira Knightley
Katharine Hepburn and Vivien Leigh are my heroes. Not because of their ability, but because of their perseverance. — Keira Knightley
I always feel like I can't do it, that I can't go through with a movie. But then I do go through with it after all. — Meryl Streep
My agent said, 'You aren't good enough for movies.' I said, 'You're fired.' — Sally Field
What keeps them going?
Optimism and joy in the endeavor
The work is the most fun; it seems illicit how much fun it is. — Meryl Streep
I'm not in it for the money. I like music. I love to write music. I can't imagine myself not playing or singing or writing. It would just drive me crazy if I didn't. — Paul Simon
A lot of people can't stand touring but to me it's like breathing. I do it because I'm driven to do it. — Bob Dylan
The best thing about acting is that I get to lose myself in another character and actually get paid for it... It`s a great outlet. — Leonardo DiCaprio
The thought that life could be better is woven indelibly into our hearts and our brains. — Paul Simon
When you sing gospel you have a feeling there is a cure for what's wrong. — Mahalia Jackson
Another striking commonality
A penchant for ironic and/or whimsical expression
It's like a bird. If he knew what he was doing, he would fall. — Carl Reiner
The road to excess leads to the palace of wisdom... for we never know what is enough until we know what is more than enough. — William Blake
If you can get humor and seriousness at the same time, you've created a special little thing, and that's what I'm looking for, because if you get pompous, you lose everything. — Paul Simon
The higher up you go, the more mistakes you are allowed. Right at the top, if you make enough of them, it's considered to be your style. — Fred Astaire
Me, I'm dishonest, and you can always trust a dishonest man to be dishonest. Honestly, it's the honest ones you have to watch out for... — Johnny Depp
Are you really sure that a floor can't also be a ceiling? — M. C. Escher
All colors are the friends of their neighbors and the lovers of their opposites. — Marc Chagall (Editor's note: This is a design principle, as well as an irony.)
And were an epitaph to be my story I'd have a short one ready for my own. I would have written of me on my stone: I had a lover's quarrel with the world. — Robert Frost
Hopefully people can see my music is tethered to my brain. — John Mayer
I may have a feather duster down my pants. — Johnny Depp
AMSA: Art and Medicine »The Healer's Voice
While you are thinking about art, why not check out IUSM's own »Evening of the Arts?