In art, there are only two types of people: revolutionaries and plagiarists. And in the end, doesn't the revolutionary's work become official, once the State takes it over?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Art is divided between innovators and followers, but innovators eventually get co-opted by institutions.
- In plain terms
- Artists are either new or copying; even the new ones get taken over by the government.
- What can you take from it?
- Innovation eventually becomes establishment.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Will your work be official eventually?
- Is independence possible?
Another view
This assumes state control is inevitable for all innovation.
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