youroldarchenemycatwoman:reckon:sniffed:
“Critics are those who have failed in literature and art.” — Benjamin Disraeli (British Prime Minister and Novelist. 1804-1881)
“A work of art is the unique result of a unique temperament. Its beauty comes from the fact that the author is what he is. It has nothing to do with the fact that other people want what they want. Indeed, the moment that an artist takes notice of what other people want, and tries to supply the demand, he ceases to be an artist, and becomes a dull or an amusing craftsman, an honest or dishonest tradesman. He has no further claim to be considered as an artist.” — Oscar Wilde, “The Soul of Man Under Socialism”
“I didn’t expect you to understand me,” he answered. “With your cold American intelligence you can only adopt the critical attitude. Emerson and all that sort of thing. But what is criticism? Criticism is purely destructive; anyone can destroy, but not everyone can build up. You are a pedant, my dear fellow. The important thing is to construct: I am constructive; I am a poet.” — Somerset Maugham, “Of Human Bondage”
That is bullshit.
Some critics are pedants, sure. Some critics are bitter. But you know what? Some artists are pedants. Some artists are bitter. Some artists are total fucking hacks who don’t want to hear what’s wrong with their hackery. But most critics and artists are lovers of the craft, equally so. When critics critique, they do it not to tear it down, but to ask it to be better.
Sorry, but I consider myself both a critic and an artist. And I have never, ever fucking called myself an artist before this moment. Some critics are artful even in their criticism. And I shouldn’t have to choose between one or the other and I shouldn’t be made to feel inferior because I ask that things be better than they are. I ask that of myself every day. Whether I am or not is not always the point. Sometimes, the progress is just in the fact that I ask it of myself.
So, I repeat: that is bullshit.
-
electrichoney liked this
-
wildcat2030 liked this
-
blackghosts liked this
-
susurrations reblogged this from reckon
-
parasols liked this
-
bittentongue liked this
-
highandhopeful reblogged this from reckon
-
lindsaykatai reblogged this from viereckige-augen and added:
That is bullshit. Some critics...pedants, sure. Some critics are bitter. But you know...
-
viereckige-augen reblogged this from youroldarchenemycatwoman and added:
reckon:sniffed: “Critics are those who have failed in literature and art.” — Benjamin Disraeli (British Prime Minister...
-
tyzm liked this
-
grl-afraid liked this
-
youroldarchenemycatwoman reblogged this from reckon
-
saafz liked this
-
reckon reblogged this from sniffed
-
sniffed posted this
