“I don't believe in art. I believe in artists.”
What this quote means
Duchamp reverses the usual hierarchy: art is just a label, an institution, while the artist is a living, fallible, and creative being. This quote celebrates the human behind the work, with their doubts and audacities. It applies to all who feel overwhelmed by definitions and canons, reminding them that creation comes first from people.
How to apply it daily
In your artistic appreciations, focus on the artist's intention and journey rather than their reputation. Share a work that moves you by telling what you imagine about its creator.
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More quotes by Marcel Duchamp
“I have forced myself to contradict myself in order to avoid conforming to my own taste.”Create visual
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