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Art is too popular. If plumbing was as popular as art is…

“Art is too popular. If plumbing was as popular as art is we would have amateur plumbers running around brandishing wrenches and Roto-Rooters, climbing in and out of sewers and writing gibberish about pipe systems. And none of our our toilets would work.” quote by Walter Darby Bannard
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“Art is too popular. If plumbing was as popular as art is we would have amateur plumbers running around brandishing wrenches and Roto-Rooters, climbing in and out of sewers and writing gibberish about pipe systems. And none of our our toilets would work.”

Walter Darby Bannard

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote humorously warns that if art were as ubiquitous as everyday trades, its quality would decline, leading to incompetence and absurdity.

In simple terms: Popularizing art could make it trivial and ineffective.

Key Takeaway

Value expertise over mass appeal.

Themes

art culture quality expertise

Mood

ironic critical thought‑provoking

Type

satirical commentary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • museum curation
  • art education
  • public art projects
  • media criticism

Key Concepts

aesthetics mass culture professionalism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does popularity affect artistic integrity?
  • Can art remain meaningful if everyone creates it?
A Different Perspective

Mass appeal may dilute depth and skill.

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