--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What I'm attempting in each picture is…" description: "\"What I'm attempting in each picture is nothing other than this...to bring together in a living and viable way, the most different and the most contradi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28f/gerhard-40129_attempting_what-i-m-attempting-in-each-picture-is-n_2293060.png" --- # What I'm attempting in each picture is nothing other than… ![“What I'm attempting in each picture is nothing other than this...to bring together in a living and viable way, the most different and the most contradictory elements in the greatest possible freedom.” quote by Gerhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28f/gerhard-40129_attempting_what-i-m-attempting-in-each-picture-is-n_2293060.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28f/gerhard-40129_attempting_what-i-m-attempting-in-each-picture-is-n_2293060.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28f/gerhard-40129_attempting_what-i-m-attempting-in-each-picture-is-n_2293060.png) > “What I'm attempting in each picture is nothing other than this...to bring together in a living and viable way, the most different and the most contradictory elements in the greatest possible freedom.” [Gerhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The artist seeks to unite opposing elements freely, creating a living, viable work of art **In simple terms:** Combine contradictory ideas freely in art Key Takeaway Embrace paradox in creation Themes art creativity freedom contradiction paradox Mood inspired reflective Type philosophical artistic When to use this quote - gallery installations - public murals - multimedia projects - collaborative performances Key Concepts Aesthetic theory dialectical synthesis Questions to Reflect On - How do you reconcile opposing forces in your work? - What limits does total freedom impose? A Different Perspective Balancing extremes can dilute clarity ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attempting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attempting/) [Attempting Picture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attempting-picture-5395812/) [Contradictory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contradictory/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Elements](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elements/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Greatest Possible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatest-possible-963370/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Possible Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possible-freedom-953895/) [Together](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/together/) [Viable Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/viable-way-5395811/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [In time, we shall be in a position to bestow on South Africa the greatest possible gift - a more human face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/in-time-we-shall-be-in-a-position-to-bestow-on-south-africa-the/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [That is perhaps what we seek throughout life, that and nothing more, the greatest possible sorrow so as to become fully ourselves before dying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-ferdinand-celine/that-is-perhaps-what-we-seek-throughout-life-that-and-nothing-more/) [Louis-Ferdinand Celine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-ferdinand-celine/) > [She had nothing to do all day ... but did it with the greatest possible speed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cees-nooteboom/she-had-nothing-to-do-all-day-but-did-it-with-the-greatest-possible/) [Cees Nooteboom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cees-nooteboom/) > [Music to me is mankind's greatest possible achievement because look at all the good it does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/music-to-me-is-mankind-s-greatest-possible-achievement-because-look/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [If a man wants to be of the greatest possible value to his fellow-creature s let him begin the long, solitary task of perfecting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robertson-davies/if-a-man-wants-to-be-of-the-greatest-possible-value-to-his-fellow/) [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) > [“It seemed to me then that to have published a book - any kind of book - would be the greatest possible happiness I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-isherwood/it-seemed-to-me-then-that-to-have-published-a-book-any-kind-of-book/) [Christopher Isherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-isherwood/) > [Internet freedom is not possible without freedom from fear, and users will not be free from fear unless they are sufficiently protected from online…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-mackinnon/internet-freedom-is-not-possible-without-freedom-from-fear-and-users/) [Rebecca MacKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-mackinnon/) > [“Freedom of person, of the press, of participation in government; without this, material prosperity is not possible. Freedom inspires men to work by giving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mustafa-akyol/freedom-of-person-of-the-press-of-participation-in-government-without/) [Mustafa Akyol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mustafa-akyol/) > [“Today is a day of opportunity. Whatever our lot, today we have the greatest freedom possible — the freedom to choose our attitude. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-myers/today-is-a-day-of-opportunity-whatever-our-lot-today-we-have-the/) [Ruth Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-myers/) > [“More riveting to me in the end than the politics of Berlin was the vast social experiment its division had become... it was possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krista-tippett/more-riveting-to-me-in-the-end-than-the-politics-of-berlin-was-the/) [Krista Tippett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krista-tippett/) > [Freedom is not possible without authority - otherwise it would turn into chaos and authority is not possible without freedom - otherwise it would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-zweig/freedom-is-not-possible-without-authority-otherwise-it-would-turn/) [Stefan Zweig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-zweig/) > [I fully understand some people don't believe it's possible for freedom and democracy to overcome this ideology of hatred. I understand that. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-fully-understand-some-people-don-t-believe-it-s-possible-for/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [In Poland we still believe - and this certainly applies to my government - that greater competitiveness, and greater growth and savings are possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-tusk/in-poland-we-still-believe-and-this-certainly-applies-to-my/) [Donald Tusk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-tusk/) > [A language possesses utility only insofar as it can construct conventional boundaries. A language of no boundaries is no language at all, and thus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-wilber/a-language-possesses-utility-only-insofar-as-it-can-construct/) [Ken Wilber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-wilber/) > [The time that one gains cannot be accumulated in a storehouse; it is contradictory to want to save up existence, which, the fact is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/the-time-that-one-gains-cannot-be-accumulated-in-a-storehouse-it-is/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) ## More by Gerhard > [We are in this life as it were in another man's house… In heaven is our home, in the world is our Inn: do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard/we-are-in-this-life-as-it-were-in-another-man-s-house-in-heaven-is/) [Gerhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard/) > [I blur things to make everything equally important and equally unimportant. I blur things so that they do not look artistic or craftsmanlike but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard/i-blur-things-to-make-everything-equally-important-and-equally/) [Gerhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard/) > [...the Blessed will see their friends and relations among the damned as often as they like but without the least of compassion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard/the-blessed-will-see-their-friends-and-relations-among-the-damned-as/) [Gerhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard/) > [We are justified freely, for Christ’s sake, by faith, without the exertion of our own strength, gaining of merit, or doing of works. To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard/we-are-justified-freely-for-christ-s-sake-by-faith-without-the/) [Gerhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard/) > [Christian growth is forgetting about yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard/christian-growth-is-forgetting-about-yourself/) [Gerhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard/) > [A comprehended God is no God at all!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard/a-comprehended-god-is-no-god-at-all/) [Gerhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard/) > [If you begin with the assumption of freedom, the preoccupation is always how to keep freedom in check, how to bind; But if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard/if-you-begin-with-the-assumption-of-freedom-the-preoccupation-is/) [Gerhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard/) > [The preaching of Jesus Christ and him crucified on account of sinners is Gods desired way of being God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard/the-preaching-of-jesus-christ-and-him-crucified-on-account-of-sinners/) [Gerhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard/) > [A theologian of the cross says what a thing is. In modern parlance: a theologian of the cross calls a spade a spade. One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard/a-theologian-of-the-cross-says-what-a-thing-is-in-modern-parlance-a/) [Gerhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard/) > [You shouldn't do science just to improve wealth - do science for the sake of human culture and knowledge. There must be some purpose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard/you-shouldn-t-do-science-just-to-improve-wealth-do-science-for-the/) [Gerhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard/) [Explore all 11 Gerhard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard/) ## More Attempting quotes > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [In terms of style, too, I think I've been working with a somewhat limited -- although intentionally limited -- set of tools. So I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-link/in-terms-of-style-too-i-think-i-ve-been-working-with-a-somewhat/) [Kelly Link](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-link/) > [Lobbying' is the activity of attempting to influence legislation by privately influencing the legislators. It is the result and creation of a mixed economy-of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/lobbying-is-the-activity-of-attempting-to-influence-legislation-by/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [To attempt to be religious without practicing a specific religion is as possible as attempting to speak without a specific language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-santayana/to-attempt-to-be-religious-without-practicing-a-specific-religion-is/) [George Santayana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-santayana/) > [Ewan McGregor stars as Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi, again doing a fine Alec Guinness impersonation but otherwise seeming lost and alone in the galaxy as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-zacharek/ewan-mcgregor-stars-as-jedi-obi-wan-kenobi-again-doing-a-fine-alec/) [Stephanie Zacharek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-zacharek/) > [Daphne," he said with controlled gentleness, "what is wrong?" She sat down opposite him and placed a hand on his cheek. "I'm so insensitive,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/daphne-he-said-with-controlled-gentleness-what-is-wrong-she-sat-down/) [Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/) > [I'm a dreamer and continue to dream of what can and will be, "Expecting great things from God, Attempting great things for God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-carey/i-m-a-dreamer-and-continue-to-dream-of-what-can-and-will-be-expecting/) [William Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-carey/) > [I swear you’re a woman. (Devyn) I would respond to that, but I don’t want to distract you while you’re attempting to drive and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/i-swear-you-re-a-woman-devyn-i-would-respond-to-that-but-i-don-t-want/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [To approach a city, or even a city neighborhood, as if it were a larger architectural problem, capable of being given order by converting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-jacobs/to-approach-a-city-or-even-a-city-neighborhood-as-if-it-were-a-larger/) [Jane Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-jacobs/) > [I have told you of the Spaniard who always put on his spectacles when about to eat cherries, that they might look bigger and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-southey/i-have-told-you-of-the-spaniard-who-always-put-on-his-spectacles-when/) [Robert Southey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-southey/) > [The danger to which the success of revolutions is most exposed, is that of attempting them before the principles on which they proceed, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-danger-to-which-the-success-of-revolutions-is-most-exposed-is/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Politics resemble religion; attempting to divest either of ceremony is the most certain mode of bringing either into contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/politics-resemble-religion-attempting-to-divest-either-of-ceremony-is/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [“failure is not an outcome, but involves a lack of trying—not stretching yourself far enough out of your comfort zone and attempting to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-wiseman/failure-is-not-an-outcome-but-involves-a-lack-of-trying-not/) [Liz Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-wiseman/) > [It is strange to reflect how much energy is thrown away in attempting to know the unknowable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-barber-lightfoot/it-is-strange-to-reflect-how-much-energy-is-thrown-away-in-attempting/) [Joseph Barber Lightfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-barber-lightfoot/) > [I am not attempting to preserve culture, or record actual events or stories. Instead I bow my head in gratitude to those storytellers who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-briggs/i-am-not-attempting-to-preserve-culture-or-record-actual-events-or/) [Patricia Briggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-briggs/) [Browse all 513 Attempting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attempting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What I'm attempting in each picture is nothing other than this...to bring together in a living and viable way, the most different and the most contradictory elements in the greatest possible freedom.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gerhard" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard/what-i-m-attempting-in-each-picture-is-nothing-other-than-this-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attempting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard/what-i-m-attempting-in-each-picture-is-nothing-other-than-this-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28f/gerhard-40129_attempting_what-i-m-attempting-in-each-picture-is-n_2293060.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28f/gerhard-40129_attempting_what-i-m-attempting-in-each-picture-is-n_2293060.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28f/gerhard-40129_attempting_what-i-m-attempting-in-each-picture-is-n_2293060.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What I'm attempting in each picture is nothing other than this...to bring together in a living and viable…” — Gerhard", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Gerhard", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What I'm attempting in each picture...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard/what-i-m-attempting-in-each-picture-is-nothing-other-than-this-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard/what-i-m-attempting-in-each-picture-is-nothing-other-than-this-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```