I think when artists are engaged in the process of creating an artwork they are engaged in an activity that requires them to hold opposing views in mind and still function . Any creative process is full of contradictory opportunities and demands. That's because the specific goal is unknown because it's not been done before. Even though an artist's work may look quite similar piece to piece, if it's fully engaging as a creative process, that means that multiple options of equal benefit are always available and they are always contradictory in greater or lesser ways. Frankly, I don't find this to be a very revealing idea because I think it's so common to any creative task. It's one of those quips that sounds much more intriguing than it really is, despite originating with a truly great writer. wc
----- Original Message ---- From: Tom McCormack <[email protected]> To: [email protected]; [email protected] Sent: Fri, June 8, 2012 1:10:14 PM Subject: Scott Fitzgerald quote and "the definition of an artist" My son Dan is a film director and screenwriter in Hollywood. He puts the following question to me. ". . .Do you know of any famous modification of Fitzgerald's quote -- "The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function"? I have a vague recollection of somebody's adjusting that quote to talk about the definition of an artist. Does this ring any bell? If it was in some movie, I'll drop it." In typical father fashion, I lumbered Dan with all sorts of reservations about the FSF line (which, in fact, Dan shared) but I admitted it did have a certain fuzzy provocativeness (much that's provocative in art depends on an element of fuzziness). But I had no recollection of the line's being altered to talk about the definition of an artist. Can any members help me (and Dan)? Tom McCormack ASA New York City
