I read whenever possible, and I buy books all the time, sometimes online, but mostly from bookshops. I love literature. If you want to understand art, it's important to understand what is also happening in literature, in music, in science, in architecture.

Hans-Ulrich Obrist’s quote, “I read whenever possible, and I buy books all the time, sometimes online, but mostly from bookshops. I love literature. If you want to understand art, it's important to understand what is also happening in literature, in music, in science, in architecture,” expresses his belief in the interconnectedness of cultural disciplines. Obrist, as one of the world’s leading curators and cultural thinkers, sees reading not merely as a pastime but as a crucial way to remain engaged with the intellectual and creative currents shaping the world. His passion for literature is part of a broader commitment to cross-disciplinary knowledge.

The origin of this quote is rooted in Obrist’s lifelong curiosity and dedication to archiving, curating, and interpreting contemporary culture. Known for his tireless interviewing of artists, architects, and scientists, Obrist has made it his mission to understand how different fields interact and influence one another. His work emphasizes that art does not exist in a vacuum—it is constantly informed by developments in other domains, from the narrative structures of literature to the conceptual breakthroughs of science.

By mentioning architecture alongside other disciplines, Obrist highlights its role as a cultural barometer—reflecting and shaping how societies think about space, form, and identity. Understanding architecture, then, becomes essential to understanding the aesthetic and philosophical trends that also affect visual art. His quote encourages an integrated view of creativity, where insights from one domain can deepen our appreciation of another.

Ultimately, Obrist’s message is a call for intellectual openness and cultural literacy. He champions the idea that to truly engage with art, one must be attuned to the broader landscape of ideas—from the rhythm of a poem to the structure of a building. His voracious reading habit is not just personal—it’s foundational to his curatorial practice, where conversation across disciplines becomes a way of illuminating the world.