“I'm certain, as we filled down the great staircase, that I appeared the same as ever, a moping twelve years-old, all arms and legs. But secretly I knew I had been transformed, moved by the revelation that human beings create art, that to be an artist was to see what others could not.”
Quote Analysis
In this quote by Patti Smith, she reflects on a moment in her childhood where she realizes the power and importance of art. Despite her outward appearance as a typical twelve-year-old, she feels an internal transformation after understanding that artists have a unique way of seeing the world. This realization ignites a passion within her and opens her eyes to the possibilities of creativity and expression.
Relevance in the Digital Age
In this quote, Patti Smith reflects on the transformative power of art and the realization that being an artist means seeing the world in a unique way. In today's digital age, where everyone has the opportunity to create and share their own art through social media and online platforms, this quote serves as a reminder of the importance of embracing creativity and expressing oneself authentically. It highlights the significance of art in shaping our identity and understanding of the world around us.
Patti Smith on the transformative power of art
“I'm certain, as we filled down the great staircase, that I appeared the same as ever, a moping twelve years-old, all arms and legs. But secretly I knew I had been transformed, moved by the revelation that human beings create art, that to be an artist was to see what others could not.” - Patti Smith.
Reflection Questions
Upon reading this quote by Patti Smith, it's clear that she experienced a pivotal moment in her life where she discovered the power of art and creativity. Here are some reflection questions for you to consider with regards to this quote:
- Have you ever had a moment where you felt transformed or moved by a particular experience or realization?
- How do you define the role of an artist in society? Do you agree with Patti Smith's perspective on what it means to be an artist?
- What do you think it means to "see what others could not" as an artist? How can this perspective be applied to other aspects of life?
- In what ways has art or creativity influenced your own life? Have you ever felt inspired or changed by a particular piece of art or creative expression?
- How can we cultivate a greater appreciation for art and creativity in our daily lives, and how can we support and encourage the next generation of artists and creators?
Similar quotes
“But secretly I knew I had been transformed, moved by the revalation that human beings create art, that to be an artist was to see what others could not.”
“And I could test myself - my own courage - with it, too, because when the doors at either end of the secret staircase were closed, it was impenetrably dark. I hid in the staircase, shivering with terror, telling the narrative: The little girl was in a dark, dark place but she was very brave...Sometimes the door at the bottom opened, and a wedge of light sliced up the stairs; a maid, her arms filled with folded laundry, would find me and ask in amazement what I was doing there.And though I answered lightheartedly that I was playing, the truth is that I was not entirely certain what I was doing there, crouched and frightened in the darkness. Only now, sixty years later, do I see that I was arming myself, rehearsing panic, loss, and helplessness; assessing my own cowardice and courage, and and the same time reassuring myself that the door would always open, that the light would always find its way in.”
“The pure perfect truth of life is that we are here to create heaven on earth, to bring the perfection of what is above down to us, and in doing so to become transformed as human being into something great and beautiful.”
“I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists. teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit”
“I know vaudeville isn't supposed to be art. It's supposed to be entertainment, which is different. But I think art...I think it's making something from nothing, basically. It's taking something as simple as movement, or a few notes, or steps, or words, and putting them all together so that they're bigger than what they ever could have been separate. They're transformed. And just witnessing that transformation changes you. It reaches into your insides and moves things around. It's magic, of a sort. I never really knew that until I saw your act. But when you walked out on that stage, I knew I was seeing something...different. Something maybe more amazing than what the professor and Silenus had done. You were making something up there, out of just the simplest elements possible, and seeing it changed something in me. I'd never encountered anything like that.”