The aim of every artist is to arrest motion, which is…
“The aim of every artist is to arrest motion, which is life, by artificial means and hold it fixed so that a hundred years later, when a stranger looks at it, it moves again since it is life.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Faulkner describes art as freezing life’s motion, allowing future viewers to experience its vitality anew.
In simple terms: Art captures life’s motion to revive it later.
Create works that preserve and renew life’s energy.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- museum curation
- film editing
- photography
- writing workshops
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does art balance preservation and vitality?
- Can frozen moments ever truly move again?
Fixing motion may strip away spontaneity and change.