Accordions Quote by Wallace Stevens
“The essential fault of surrealism is that it invents without discovering. To make a clam play an accordion is to invent not to discover. The observation of the unconscious, so far as it can be observed, should reveal things of which we have previously been unconscious, not the familiar things of which we have been conscious plus imagination.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Necessary Angel" by Wallace Stevens, 1942
Surrealism often creates imaginative scenes without uncovering deeper truths, unlike true unconscious observation which reveals hidden insights.
In simple terms: Surrealism invents without discovery.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize discovery over mere invention.
Themes
art
surrealism
creativity
unconscious
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- creative writing
- psychotherapy
Key Concepts
imagination
observation
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can surrealism be used to explore the unconscious?
- What distinguishes invention from discovery?
A Different Perspective
Inventive art can still convey profound meaning if grounded in experience.
![“The editor, Stephen Segal, actually called me with the idea of creating an accordion book [ "The Thorn & The Blossom"], and asked if I could write a story for it. I was so intrigued! I immediately knew that it had to be a love story told from the points of view of the two main characters. Right…” quote by Theodora Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a5d/theodora-goss-10051_accordions_the-editor-stephen-segal-actually-called_440631.jpg)
