Art Quote by Manny Farber
“I get a great laugh from artists who ridicule the critics as parasites and artists manqués — sucha horrible joke. I can’t imagine a more perfect art form, a moreperfect career than criticism. I can’t imagine anything more valuableto do.”
About This Quote
The speaker praises criticism as an essential, rewarding art form, suggesting that mocking critics is a futile joke and that true value lies in the act of critique itself.
In simple terms: Criticism is a vital, rewarding craft.
Key Takeaway
Critique holds intrinsic worth.
Themes
art
criticism
value
humor
career
Mood
ironic
defiant
thoughtful
Type
aphor
manifesto
When to use this quote
- artist reflecting on criticism
- debate about art value
- career counseling for critics
Key Concepts
parasitic critics
artist identity
self-awareness
Practical Applications
- Teaching criticism as a profession
- Developing critique workshops
Questions to Reflect On
- Why might criticism be seen as a career rather than a hobby?
- How does mocking critics affect the perception of art?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that criticism can be destructive and hinder creative freedom.
![“To say that poverty explains terror is to slander those caught in poverty who choose to lead worthy lives. [Terrorists] are not the oppressed, but they are the parasites of the oppressed.” quote by Sean Wilentz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c81/sean-wilentz-54845_caught_to-say-that-poverty-explains-terror-is-t_167403.jpg)
![“A lawyer’s either a social engineer or … a parasite on society … A social engineer [is] a highly skilled, perceptive, sensitive lawyer who [understands] the Constitution of the United States and [knows] how to explore its uses in the solving of problems of local communities and in bettering…” quote by Charles Hamilton Houston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/13e/charles-hamilton-houston-36638_african-american_a-lawyer-s-either-a-social-engineer-or-a_166045.jpg)
