"It is precisely those artists and writers..."

"It is precisely those artists and writers..."

"It is precisely those artists and writers who are most inclined to think of their art as the manifestation of their personality who are in fact the most in bondage to public taste." ― Simone Weil, Selected Essays, 1934-1943

I came across this quote a few weeks ago, and it stuck with me. The most impressive writers are the ones who are able to step outside of themselves and tell stories that aren't their own and convey ideas that transcend culture or are at odds with their own. At a glance, this appears to be less common in songs (lyrics) than books and movies (scripts). Not sure about forms like painting, photography, etc. I couldn't find the full essay, so there's a lot of context missing, but it could lead to an interesting discussion. Thoughts?

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08 October 2024 at 12:10 AM
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