What art does is to coax us away from the mechanical and…
““What art does is to coax us away from the mechanical and towards the miraculous. The so-called uselessness of art is a clue to its transforming power. Art is not part of the machine. Art asks us to think differently, see differently, hear differently, and ultimately to act differently, which is why art has moral force. Ruskin was right, though for the wrong reasons, when he talked about art as a moral force. Art is not about good behaviour, when did you last see a miracle behave well? Art makes us better people because it asks for our full humanity, and humanity is, or should be, the polar opposite of the merely mechanical. We are not part of the machine either, but we have forgotten that. Art is memory — which is quite different [from] history. Art asks that we remember who we are, and usually that asking has to come as provocation — which is why art breaks the rules and the taboos, and at the same time is a moral force.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Art pulls us from routine, revealing wonder and prompting deeper perception, which in turn reshapes our actions and moral outlook.
In simple terms: Art awakens the miraculous within the mundane.
Key Takeaway
Art transforms perception and behavior.
Themes
a
creativity
humanity
transformation
memory
Mood
wonder
introspection
inspiration
Type
philosophical
inspirational
critical
When to use this quote
- museum visit
- creative workshop
- personal reflection
- educational curriculum
- community art project
Key Concepts
miracle
mechanical
moral force
provocation
Practical Applications
- reframing problem‑solving
- enhancing empathy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does art change the way you see everyday objects?
- What moral responsibilities arise from artistic provocation?