Activity Quote by Susan Sontag
“If within the last century art conceived as an autonomous activity has come to be invested with an unprecedented stature - the nearest thing to a sacramental human activity acknowledged by secular society - it is because one of the tasks art has assumed is making forays into and taking up positions on the frontiers of consciousness (often very dangerous to the artist as a person) and reporting back what's there.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: On the Role of Art, Susan Sontag, 1995
Art has become a quasi‑sacred activity because it pushes the boundaries of consciousness, often at personal risk, and reports those discoveries back to society.
In simple terms: Art is revered for exploring dangerous frontiers of consciousness.
Key Takeaway
Support artists who venture into new intellectual territories.
Themes
art
consciousness
risk
sacredness
cultural impact
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
cultural critique
When to use this quote
- museum curation
- experimental performance
- political protest
- digital media
Key Concepts
aesthetic theory
existential exploration
social responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How does risk shape artistic value?
- What responsibilities do artists have to their audiences?
A Different Perspective
The “sacred” status can also marginalize non‑conformist art forms.
![“Anthropology has always struggled with an intense, fascinated repulsion towards its subject… [The anthropologist] submits himself to the exotic to confirm his own inner alienation as an urban intellectual.” quote by Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fe1/susan-sontag-332_alienation_anthropology-has-always-struggled-with-a_15322.jpg)
