It's the same with visual arts, you have some really cool, wonderful striking images that make you think and then again you have wonderful striking images that just take you away from the existing world for a second. And I like the latter a bit more.

In this quote, Ville Valo, a Finnish musician, reflects on the impact of visual arts and the power of imagery. He compares two types of striking images: those that provoke deep thought and those that offer an escape from the current reality. Valo acknowledges that both types can be powerful in their own right, but he expresses a preference for the latter—images that transport the viewer away from the existing world, even if just for a brief moment. This highlights his appreciation for art that provides a sense of relief or disconnection from the everyday.

Valo's comment about art's ability to "take you away from the existing world" speaks to the emotional and transcendent nature of certain images. Some artwork has the ability to provide a temporary escape, allowing viewers to experience something outside of their normal existence. This sense of escapism can be both cathartic and refreshing, offering a break from life's challenges or the mundane, allowing people to immerse themselves in a different space, even if just momentarily.

While Valo also recognizes the value of art that makes you think deeply, he seems to prefer artwork that provides a more immediate sense of wonder or awe. The distinction he draws between thought-provoking art and escapist art reveals his personal connection to the kind of emotion he seeks through visual stimuli. The idea of being "taken away" aligns with the therapeutic or meditative effects that some art forms can offer, where the viewer is temporarily relieved of their thoughts and concerns.

Ultimately, Valo’s quote emphasizes the diverse effects art can have on its audience. While some art challenges the mind and encourages reflection, he prefers works that offer a sense of respite and transcendence, providing an emotional escape from reality. This speaks to his own tastes and the way he engages with art—looking for moments of reprieve that allow him to momentarily disconnect from the world around him.