John Cage Art Quotations

When we separate music from life we get art.

So somebody has talent? So what? Dime a dozen. And we're overpopulated. Actually we have more food than we have people and more art. We've gotten to the point of burning food. When will we begin to burn our art?

Theatre takes place all the time - wherever one is - and art simply facilitates persuading one this is the case.

The function of Art is to imitate Nature in her manner of operation. Our understanding of her manner of operation&Rdquo; changes according to advances in the sciences.

An artist conscientiously moves in a direction which for some good reason he takes, putting one work in front of the other with the hope he'll arrive before death overtakes him.

Why make art ? To quiet the mind thus making it susceptible to divine influences.

Art is sort of an experimental station in which one tries out living.

Our business in living is to become fluent with the life we are living, and art can help this.

Art's purpose is to sober and quiet the mind so that it is in accord with what happens.

All great art is a form of complaint

People who aren't artists often feel that artists are inspired. But if you work at your art you don't have time to be inspired.

Art is whatever you can get away with.

When you start working, everybody is in your studio- the past, your friends, enemies, the art world, and above all, your own ideas- all are there. But as you continue painting, they start leaving, one by one, and you are left completely alone. Then, if you are lucky, even you leave.