'Taste is the ability to keep in balance the contradiction in art between the made and the apparent not-having-become; true works of art, however, never at one with taste, are those which push this contradiction to the extreme, and realize themselves in their resultant downfall.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Taste balances the tension between what is made and what appears not to have become; great art pushes this tension to extremes, leading to its own downfall.
- In plain terms
- Taste tries to balance art’s contradictions, but the best art amplifies them until it collapses.
- What can you take from it?
- Embrace artistic tension rather than seeking safe conformity.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do some artworks thrive on tension?
- Is decline necessary for artistic greatness?
Another view
The notion of “downfall” may be too deterministic for diverse artistic outcomes.
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