--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I originally came from Dresden, where…" description: "\"I originally came from Dresden, where Socialist Realism prevailed. Konrad Lueg and I came up with it, for the most part ironically, since I now live in..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/252/gerhard-richter-2249_art_i-originally-came-from-dresden-where-soc_1265367.jpg" --- # I originally came from Dresden, where Socialist Realism… ![“I originally came from Dresden, where Socialist Realism prevailed. Konrad Lueg and I came up with it, for the most part ironically, since I now live in capitalism. It was certainly 'realism', but in another form - the capitalist form, as it were. It wasn't meant that seriously. It was more a…” quote by Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/252/gerhard-richter-2249_art_i-originally-came-from-dresden-where-soc_1265367.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/252/gerhard-richter-2249_art_i-originally-came-from-dresden-where-soc_1265367.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/252/gerhard-richter-2249_art_i-originally-came-from-dresden-where-soc_1265367.jpg) > “I originally came from Dresden, where Socialist Realism prevailed. Konrad Lueg and I came up with it, for the most part ironically, since I now live in capitalism. It was certainly 'realism', but in another form - the capitalist form, as it were. It wasn't meant that seriously. It was more a slogan for that particular Happening at a furniture store.” [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Richter describes a tongue‑in‑cheek art project that mimics Socialist Realism but is framed as a capitalist satire, highlighting the fluidity of artistic labels. **In simple terms:** He made a satirical piece that pretended to be Socialist Realism while living in capitalism. Key Takeaway Recognize irony in artistic movements. Themes art irony politics culture Mood playful critical Type artistic satirical When to use this quote - gallery exhibit - public art - political commentary - art market - cultural critique Key Concepts Satire postmodernism authenticity Questions to Reflect On - How does context change the meaning of an artwork? - When does irony become indistinguishable from sincerity? A Different Perspective The satire may be misread as genuine endorsement of the style. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Capitalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism/) [Capitalism Certainly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism-certainly-4037317/) [Capitalist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalist/) [Capitalist Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalist-form-311325/) [Dresden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dresden/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Furniture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/furniture/) [Happenings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happenings/) [Particular](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/particular/) [Realism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realism/) [Realism Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realism-form-4037316/) [Realism Prevailed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realism-prevailed-4037318/) [Slogans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slogans/) [Socialist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/socialist/) [Socialist Realism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/socialist-realism-2856206/) [Stores](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stores/) ## Related quotes > [As the variable capital always stays in the hands of the capitalist in some form or other, it cannot be claimed in any way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/as-the-variable-capital-always-stays-in-the-hands-of-the-capitalist/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [The situation of the Old Left was the theory of Socialist Realism, etc. It seemed pointless to argue. We stayed carefully away from people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-oppen/the-situation-of-the-old-left-was-the-theory-of-socialist-realism-etc/) [George Oppen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-oppen/) > [The solemn pledge to abstain from telling the truth was called socialist realism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-solemn-pledge-to-abstain-from-telling-the-truth-was-called/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“...Russia itself having turned to socialist realism - no-man's-land between surrealism and communism,...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fowles/russia-itself-having-turned-to-socialist-realism-no-man-s-land/) [John Fowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fowles/) > [ Negativity is often looked upon \[in the USA\] as a kind of thought crime. Not since the advent of socialist realism has the world… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-eagleton/negativity-is-often-looked-upon-in-the-usa-as-a-kind-of-thought-crime/) [Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/) > [“That a work of the imagination has to be “really” about some problem is, again, an heir of Socialist Realism. To write a story…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/that-a-work-of-the-imagination-has-to-be-really-about-some-problem-is/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [Lenin thought abstract art was a conspiracy by the bourgeois to demoralize the proletariat. Yeah, socialist realism!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-andre/lenin-thought-abstract-art-was-a-conspiracy-by-the-bourgeois-to/) [Carl Andre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-andre/) > [When I look back on the townscapes now, they do seem to me to recall certain images of the destruction of Dresden during the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/when-i-look-back-on-the-townscapes-now-they-do-seem-to-me-to-recall/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [I choose my battles, Dresden. Not you." She looked up at me calmly. "Let me put this in terms that will get through your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/i-choose-my-battles-dresden-not-you-she-looked-up-at-me-calmly-let-me/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [Harry Dresden. Saving the world, one act of random destruction at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/harry-dresden-saving-the-world-one-act-of-random-destruction-at-a-time/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [We have now left Reason and Sanity Junction. Next stop, Looneyville.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/we-have-now-left-reason-and-sanity-junction-next-stop-looneyville/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [Pain does two things: It teaches you, tells you that you're alive. Then it passes away and leaves you changed. It leaves you wiser,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/pain-does-two-things-it-teaches-you-tells-you-that-you-re-alive-then/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [Something like this will test you like nothing else," Mac said. "You're going to find out who you are, Harry. You're going to find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/something-like-this-will-test-you-like-nothing-else-mac-said-you-re/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [You are a drug dealer. To tiny faeries. Shame." Sanya to Dresden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/you-are-a-drug-dealer-to-tiny-faeries-shame-sanya-to-dresden/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [MR. KHARIS: 'Does Mr. Celine seriously suggest that the United States Government is in need of a guardian?' MR. CELINE: 'I am merely offering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-anton-wilson/mr-kharis-does-mr-celine-seriously-suggest-that-the-united-states/) [Robert Anton Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-anton-wilson/) ## More by Gerhard Richter > [Art shows us how to see things that are constructive and good, and to be an active part of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/art-shows-us-how-to-see-things-that-are-constructive-and-good-and-to/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [They are specific places I have discovered here and there when I am on the road to take photos. I go especially to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/they-are-specific-places-i-have-discovered-here-and-there-when-i-am/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [To me, grey is the welcome and only possible equivalent for indifference, noncommitment, absence of opinion, absence of shape. But grey, like formlessness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/to-me-grey-is-the-welcome-and-only-possible-equivalent-for/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [Now that we do not have priests and philosophers any more, artists are the most important people in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/now-that-we-do-not-have-priests-and-philosophers-any-more-artists-are/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [Yes, we were amazed when that happened. It was a real joke to us. Konrad Lueg and I did a Happening, and we used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/yes-we-were-amazed-when-that-happened-it-was-a-real-joke-to-us-konrad/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [A work of art is itself an object, first of all, and so manipulation is unavoidable: it's a prerequisite. But I needed the greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/a-work-of-art-is-itself-an-object-first-of-all-and-so-manipulation-is/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [The photograph is the only picture that can truly convey information, even if it is technically faulty and the object can barely be identified.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/the-photograph-is-the-only-picture-that-can-truly-convey-information/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [Perhaps the choice is a negative one, in that I was trying to avoid everything that touched on well-known issues - or any issues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/perhaps-the-choice-is-a-negative-one-in-that-i-was-trying-to-avoid/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [Gray is the color... the most important of all... absent of opinion, nothing, neither/nor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/gray-is-the-color-the-most-important-of-all-absent-of-opinion-nothing/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [All photographs are far more important than any painting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/all-photographs-are-far-more-important-than-any-painting/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [You can compare it to dreams: you have a very specific and individual pictorial language that you either accept or that you can translate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/you-can-compare-it-to-dreams-you-have-a-very-specific-and-individual/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [What attracted me about my mirrors was the idea of having nothing manipulated in them. A piece of bought mirror. Just hung there, without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/what-attracted-me-about-my-mirrors-was-the-idea-of-having-nothing/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [But it is also untrue that I have nothing specific in mind. As with my landscapes: I see countless landscapes, photograph barely 1 in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/but-it-is-also-untrue-that-i-have-nothing-specific-in-mind-as-with-my/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [My landscapes are not only beautiful or nostalgic, with a Romantic or classical suggestion of lost Paradises, but above all 'untruthful'...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/my-landscapes-are-not-only-beautiful-or-nostalgic-with-a-romantic-or/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [I have always been structured. What has changed is the proportions. Now it is eight hours of paperwork and one of painting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/i-have-always-been-structured-what-has-changed-is-the-proportions-now/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) [Explore all 176 Gerhard Richter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I originally came from Dresden, where Socialist Realism prevailed. 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