Art Quote by John Ajvide Lindqvist
““No respect for beauty – that was characteristic of today’s society. The works of the great masters were at most employed as ironic references, or used in advertising. Michelangelo’s ‘The Creation of Adam’, where you see a pair of jeans in place of the spark. The whole point of the picture, at least as he saw it, was that these two monumental bodies each came to an end in two index fingers that almost, but not quite, touched. There was a space between them a millimetre or so wide. And in this space – life. The sculptural size and richness of detail of this picture was simply a frame, a backdrop, to emphasise the crucial void in its centre. The point of emptiness that contained everything. And in its place a person had superimposed a pair of jeans.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Let the Right One In, John Ajvide Lindqvist, 2004
The quote critiques modern culture’s tendency to trivialize profound art by reducing it to commercial or ironic symbols, missing its deeper existential meaning.
In simple terms: Modern society often turns great art into jokes or ads, overlooking its deeper meaning.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and respect the deeper significance behind artistic works.
Themes
art criticism
modernity
existentialism
culture
meaning
Mood
reflective
critical
contemplative
Type
analytical
philosophical
cultural critique
When to use this quote
- museum visits
- art education
- media analysis
- creative writing
- cultural commentary
Key Concepts
symbolism
irony
void
existential void
commercialization
Questions to Reflect On
- How does commercialization affect our perception of art?
- What does the “void” symbolize in personal experience?
A Different Perspective
The interpretation may overlook the artist’s intended message, imposing a contemporary lens that could misrepresent original intent.
