Art Quote by Simon McBurney
“Theatre artists are essentially sort of charlatans and thieves, I mean that's the tradition that we come from, so I have absolutely no, I make no bones about the fact that I steal from here and I take from there, and we all do it, that's perfectly all right, that's the nothing, there's nothing new in the world, there's nothing actually new in the way that you do something, but the point is is how do you take something and use it to articulate what is essentially a core of any given theatrical production.”
About This Quote
Theatrical creators openly borrow and remix existing ideas, acknowledging that originality is a recombination of past influences rather than invention.
In simple terms: Art is theft, but a purposeful, creative theft.
Key Takeaway
Creativity thrives on remixing existing material.
Themes
artistic process
originality
theatre
creativity
cultural borrowing
Mood
playful
reflective
Type
philosophical
artistic manifesto
When to use this quote
- writing a play
- designing a film
- musical sampling
- fashion design
Key Concepts
intertextuality
authorship
Practical Applications
- Encourage transparent sourcing in creative works
- Teach remix ethics in arts education
Questions to Reflect On
- When does borrowing become plagiarism?
- How can artists honor sources while staying innovative?
A Different Perspective
Excessive borrowing can blur credit and diminish recognition for original creators.
