Art Quote by Lawrence Weiner
“Think about it: you've already related it down to something that somebody else can understand. If art relates to something - it's like Picasso, it's like Mondrian - it's not. Art's supposed to be what it is. Using a reference of art history might help for some kind of sales, but it doesn't really help anybody. Art is what it is; it cannot be footnoted, until it enters the world. Then it has a history. Then the footnotes are the history, not the explanation.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Art Theory, Lawrence Weiner, 1990s
Art must exist independently of explanations; references only become footnotes after art enters the world.
In simple terms: Art stands alone, history follows later.
Key Takeaway
Create without relying on external references.
Themes
art
creativity
autonomy
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- gallery openings
- artist statements
- educational workshops
- marketing pitches
Key Concepts
ontology
historicity
interpretation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does context shape perception of art?
- When should an artist reference history?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on references can dilute original intent.
![“What interested me the most was that when I [traveled to Europe] I knew what Joseph Beuys was doing, he knew what I was doing, and we both, we just started to talk. How did I know what Daniel Buren was doing, and to an extent, he knew exactly what I was doing? How did everybody know? It's an…” quote by Lawrence Weiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/de8/lawrence-weiner-17466_artist_what-interested-me-the-most-was-that-whe_152283.jpg)
