Art Quote by Gary Saul Morson
“Unless created as freestanding works, quotations resemble "found" art. They are analogous, say, to a piece of driftwood identified as formally interesting enough to be displayed in an art museum or to a weapon moved from an anthropological to an artistic display… The presenter of found art, whether material or verbal, has become a sort of artist. He has not made the object, but he has made it as art.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of Quotation, 1995
Quotations become art when they are presented as standalone pieces, similar to found objects displayed in museums, turning the presenter into an artist.
In simple terms: Quotations are art when shown alone, making the presenter an artist.
Key Takeaway
Treat quotations as curated art objects.
Themes
art
presentation
curation
interpretation
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
critical
explanatory
When to use this quote
- museum displays
- literary analysis
- public speaking
- media commentary
- educational workshops
Key Concepts
found objects
aesthetic framing
authorship
contextualization
Questions to Reflect On
- How does context change a quotation's meaning?
- Can any text become art through presentation?
A Different Perspective
The impact depends on audience perception, which may not always recognize the artistic intent.
