Words, colors, light, sound, stone, wood, bronze belong to the living artist. They belong to anyone who can use them. Loot the Louvre!... Steal anything in sight.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Artistic materials belong to all who can use them, not just the wealthy or established.
- In plain terms
- Art supplies and spaces belong to anyone with the talent to use them.
- What can you take from it?
- Claim ownership of creative resources through use.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What art do you claim?
- Who decides ownership?
Another view
It glorifies theft without acknowledging property rights.
More from William S. Burroughs
Word is a virus.
Permalink to quote #54 When I become death, death is the seed from which I grow.
Permalink to quote #53 'Treatment is symptomatic' - which means in the trade there is none.
Permalink to quote #52
Related quotes
By increasing the size of the keyhole, today's playwrights are in danger of doing away with the door.
Peter UstinovPeter Ustinov quote #13 Music is everybody's possession. It's only publishers who think that people own it.
John LennonJohn Lennon quote #65 Film will only become art when its materials are as inexpensive as pencil and paper.
Jean CocteauJean Cocteau quote #90