Artificial Quote by Cindy Sherman
“In horror stories or in fairy tales, the fascination with the morbid is also, at least for me, a way to prepare for the unthinkable… That’s why it’s very important for me to show the artificiality of it all, because the real horrors of the world are unmatchable, and they’re too profound. It’s much easier to absorb – to be entertained by it, but also to let it affect you psychologically – if it’s done in a fake, humorous, artificial way.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: ArtTalk Podcast, 2020
She uses horror and fairy‑tale motifs to safely explore deep, real‑world terrors by framing them as artificial and humorous.
In simple terms: Fiction lets us confront true horror safely.
Use humor to process fear.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- creative writing
- film analysis
- educational workshops
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does humor change your perception of fear?
- Can safe fiction replace real‑world awareness?
Artificial framing may trivialize genuine trauma.