Art Quote by Agnes de Mille
“great artists can be uncertain. Of course they are while strugggling to find solutions. Tolstoi's scripts are almost indecipherable. Emily Dickinson provided four or more alternates for every word; Beethoven wrestled with endings to the point of exhaustion; in our day Jerome Robbins and his lack of decision are a byword in the dance profession. But all of these knew very well what they did not want, and what they did not want was the current coin, the well-worn usage. What they wanted was something newly experienced, and therefore unknown and hard to attain.”
About This Quote
Artists often struggle with uncertainty while seeking novel expression, rejecting familiar conventions to create something fresh and challenging.
In simple terms: Artists face uncertainty to find new, unknown expression.
Key Takeaway
Embrace uncertainty to discover new creative paths.
Themes
creativity
uncertainty
innovation
artistic process
Mood
reflective
inspired
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- painting
- music composition
- dance choreography
- writing
- design
Key Concepts
artistic struggle
creative discovery
risk taking
Questions to Reflect On
- What familiar conventions are you willing to abandon?
- How do you balance risk and refinement?
A Different Perspective
Uncertainty can stall progress without disciplined experimentation.
