Controlling things Quote by Leo Ornstein
“We can use techniques in modifying things, in controlling things, but the first impulse has to be something that you simply cannot make just out of technique, or else it becomes perfectly evident that it is nothing but technique that you're exercising.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on artistic philosophy, 1970s
True creativity requires a spark beyond method; technique alone cannot generate genuine expression.
In simple terms: Art needs something beyond skill.
Cultivate intuition, not just skill.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- painting
- music composition
- design
- teaching
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize the moment when technique is insufficient?
- What practices help you connect with intuition?
Technique can dominate and stifle originality if not balanced.