Books Quote by Gary Giddins
“One of the things I always underscore when I teach criticism is that young critics, or would be critics, frequently have this illusion that if they write about music they're somehow part of music, or if they write about movies they're part of movies, or of they write about theater they're part of theater, or write about literature. Writing is a part of literature, we belong the species of literature. If you add all the music reviews together that have ever been written, they don't create two notes of music.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, 2005
Critics often mistakenly think writing about an art form makes them part of it, but their words don't create the art itself.
In simple terms: Writing about art doesn't become the art.
Key Takeaway
Recognize criticism as separate from creation.
Themes
criticism
art
identity
creation
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
critical
educational
When to use this quote
- film reviews
- music journalism
- theatre criticism
- literary essays
Key Concepts
literary theory
media studies
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do critics have to the art?
- How can criticism support creators?
A Different Perspective
May overlook the collaborative nature of art production.
