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America Quote by Patti Smith

“I'm old-fashioned. I think William Blake and people in the Renaissance people were multi. Look at da Vinci, he was involved in science; and Michelangelo was dabbling in poetry. Both of them were painters and sculptors but they also involved themselves with architecture. I honestly don't know what…” quote by Patti Smith
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“I'm old-fashioned. I think William Blake and people in the Renaissance people were multi. Look at da Vinci, he was involved in science; and Michelangelo was dabbling in poetry. Both of them were painters and sculptors but they also involved themselves with architecture. I honestly don't know what happened in the '60s and '70s. If you sang rock and roll in America at that time or were involved in expressing yourself through music like that, then many thought you couldn't possibly be an artist. That thinking is archaic.”

Patti Smith

About This Quote

Source Interview: Patti Smith discussing artistic interdisciplinarity

Artists historically blended multiple disciplines, rejecting narrow labels; modern views limit that.

In simple terms: Artists can be many things at once.

Key Takeaway

Embrace cross‑disciplinary creativity.

Themes

creativity interdisciplinarity history

Mood

inspired curious

Type

motivational philosophical

When to use this quote

  • education
  • career planning
  • personal projects
  • collaborations

Key Concepts

Renaissance polymathy artistic identity

Questions to Reflect On

  • What fields could you combine?
  • How does interdisciplinary work enrich art?
A Different Perspective

Specializing too narrowly may stifle innovation.

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