Much of modern art is devoted to lowering the threshold of what is terrible. By getting us used to what, formerly, we could not bear to see or hear, because it was too shocking, painful, or embarrassing, art changes morals.

Susan Sontag

Freak Show

More information about this quote

Topic

Modern art Power of art Art

Author

Susan Sontag

Source

Freak Show The New York Review of Books

Medium

Essay Magazine

Language

English

Time

1973 1970s 20th century

Occupation

Activist Philosopher Writer

From

United States

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Sontag, Susan. "Freak Show." The New York Review of Books, 15 Nov. 1973.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Susan Sontag about modern art: “Much of modern art is devoted to lowering the threshold of what is terrible.”
Download
A quote by Susan Sontag about modern art: “Much of modern art is devoted to lowering the threshold of what is terrible.”
Download
A quote by Susan Sontag about modern art: “Much of modern art is devoted to lowering the threshold of what is terrible.”
Download

Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote from the 1970s

We don't need no education.
We don't need no thought control.
No dark sarcasm in the classroom.
Teacher, leave them kids alone.
Hey! Teacher! Leave them kids alone!

Pink Floyd

Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2

More information about this quote
Topic
The man Resisting authority
Speaker
Pink Floyd
Source
Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2 The Wall
Medium
Song Album
Genre
Rock music
Language
English
Time
1979 1970s 20th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Waters, Roger. "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2." Performed by Pink Floyd. The Wall. Harvest Records/Columbia Records, 1979.

Another quote about Art

In a burning building...I would save a cat before a Rembrandt.

Alberto Giacometti

More information about this quote
Topic
Value of life Hypothetical situations Relative value Cats Art
Speaker
Alberto Giacometti
Genre
Biography
Language
Unclear
Time
20th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Lord, James. Giacometti: A Biography. Macmillan, 1997, ch. 44.