Great art is never produced for its own sake. It is too difficult to be worth the effort.
The quote "Great art is never produced for its own sake. It is too difficult to be worth the effort" by Robert Quillen suggests that great art cannot be created merely for the purpose of self-expression or personal gain. Quillen, an American journalist and editor, emphasizes that true art demands a significant amount of effort and dedication. This immense challenge makes it clear that the motivation behind creating great art must be something more than just the pursuit of personal satisfaction.
Quillen’s words reflect the idea that art is not just a form of self-indulgence but a profound process that requires deep commitment, thought, and struggle. The creation of truly impactful art involves pushing boundaries, overcoming obstacles, and engaging with complex ideas or emotions. As such, great art often arises from a sense of purpose, whether it's to communicate a message, provoke thought, or reflect societal issues, rather than being made simply for the sake of the artist’s own enjoyment.
The quote also hints at the sacrifices involved in producing high-quality art. It is not an easy or effortless process. Art that is worth experiencing often takes time, patience, and a willingness to face failure. The difficulty of creating great art makes the final product all the more valuable, as it reflects the struggle and persistence of the artist in bringing their vision to life.
Ultimately, Quillen’s statement underscores the belief that great art is not an arbitrary or frivolous pursuit but one that requires a higher purpose and commitment. It’s the difficulty and the effort involved in its creation that gives it meaning and value, making it more than just a personal endeavor—it becomes something that transcends the artist and speaks to a broader human experience.
IGieenn giiaa
This quote makes me think about the relationship between difficulty and motivation. If great art is too hard to make without some driving reason, what does that say about the role of ambition or ego in creativity? Is the assumption that humans won’t push themselves unless there’s something in it for them? It’s kind of cynical, but also an interesting challenge to the romantic idea of the ‘pure’ artist.
TT35. Hoang Thi Thu Thuy
I’d love to ask Quillen what he means by ‘worth the effort.’ Financially? Emotionally? Historically? Because there’s plenty of great art that was never commercially successful or widely recognized in its time. Does that mean it wasn’t worth the effort? Sometimes the struggle itself is the point—the process of pushing through creative hardship can be as meaningful as the result.
ZGzenitsu gama
This quote sounds like it’s coming from someone who either deeply respects the difficulty of art or is skeptical of artists’ motivations. I’m torn. On one hand, yes, creating something great can be grueling and often unrewarded. On the other, saying it’s not worth it unless there’s a clear purpose seems to devalue intrinsic creativity. What about the therapeutic, transformative nature of creating just to create?
GDGold D.dragon
Is Quillen suggesting that art must serve a social, political, or economic function to justify its difficulty? If so, I wonder how he would view purely abstract art, or deeply personal projects that may never be shared. Art for art’s sake has a long tradition—think of the Romantic poets or the Dada movement. Can’t the effort itself be meaningful, even if the result serves no grand agenda?
HNHieu Nguyen
I find this quote a bit pessimistic, though maybe intentionally provocative. The idea that great art isn’t worth the effort unless it serves a purpose outside itself seems to discount the countless hours artists spend driven by nothing more than inner vision. Do we really believe that self-expression, personal exploration, or emotional catharsis aren’t valuable enough reasons to create something challenging and beautiful?