Artist Quote by Alex Shakar
““An ironic religion -- one that never claims to be absolutely true but only professes to be relatively beautiful, and never promises salvation but only proposes it as a salubrious idea. A century ago there were people who thought art was the thing that could fuse the terms of this seemingly insuperable oxymoron, and no doubt art is part of the formula. But maybe consumerism also has something to teach us about forging an ironic religion -- a lesson about learning to choose, about learning the power and consequences, for good or ill, of our ever-expanding palette of choices. Perhaps . . . the day will come when the true ironic religion is found, the day when humanity is filled with enough love and imagination and responsibility to become its own god and make a paradise of its world, a paradise of all the right choices.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Ironic Religion” by Alex Shakar, 2015
The passage suggests that an “ironic religion” embraces relative beauty over absolute truth, using art and consumer choice to guide humanity toward love, imagination, and responsibility, ultimately creating a self‑made paradise.
In simple terms: A belief system that values beauty, choice, and responsibility over dogma.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate love, imagination, and responsible choices.
Themes
beauty
choice
responsibility
art
consumerism
Mood
hopeful
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- creative projects
- personal development
- community building
- environmental activism
Key Concepts
relativism
ethical imagination
self‑determination
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance personal choice with communal well‑being?
- What role does art play in shaping ethical values?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook the need for shared standards or collective action.
