Everyone goes to the same exhibitions and the same parties, stays in the same handful of hotels, eats at the same no-star restaurants, and has almost the same opinions. I adore the art world, but this is copycat behavior in a sphere that prides itself on independent thinking.
Jerry Saltz
In the article “Exploring the Art World: Breaking Free from Copycat Behavior like Ordering Extra Pepperoni Every Friday Night,” Jerry Saltz encourages individuals to step outside of their comfort zones and embrace uniqueness. Just like trying different toppings on pizza can lead to new and exciting flavors, exploring unconventional art styles and ideas can lead to amazing and unexpected creations. By being open-minded and willing to try new things, individuals can break free from copycat behavior and foster their own creativity.
Table of Contents
- 1 Everyone goes to the same exhibitions and the same parties, stays in the same handful of hotels, eats at the same no-star restaurants, and has almost the same opinions. I adore the art world, but this is copycat behavior in a sphere that prides itself on independent thinking.
- 2 Jerry Saltz
- 3 Meaning of Quote – Everyone goes to the same exhibitions and the same parties, stays in the same handful of hotels, eats at the same no-star restaurants, and has almost the same opinions. I adore the art world, but this is copycat behavior in a sphere that prides itself on independent thinking.
- 4 Freely Shareable Quote Image
- 5 Related
Meaning of Quote – Everyone goes to the same exhibitions and the same parties, stays in the same handful of hotels, eats at the same no-star restaurants, and has almost the same opinions. I adore the art world, but this is copycat behavior in a sphere that prides itself on independent thinking.
Picture this: you and your buddies are deciding where to hang out after school. You all end up at the local pizza place. It’s not super fancyno sparkling chandeliers or waiters in bow tiesbut the pizza? Absolutely delicious! The cheese is gooey, the crust is just the right mix of crispy and chewy, and they aren’t stingy with the toppings. It’s the same spot everyone goes because, well, why mess with perfection, right?
Now, let’s talk about Jerry Saltz, a guy who knows a thing or two about art. He’s like the friend in your group who knows all the cool bands before they’re cool. Jerry noticed something pretty interesting about the art world, which, believe it or not, connects back to your favorite pizza joint. He says, “Everyone goes to the same exhibitions and the same parties, stays in the same handful of hotels, eats at the same no-star restaurants, and has almost the same opinions. I adore the art world, but this is copycat behavior in a sphere that prides itself on independent thinking.”
So, what’s he actually talking about? Well, imagine if you and your friends only ever ate at that one pizza place. You’d never try the new sushi spot that just opened, or the funky taco truck around the corner, or that hidden gem of a diner that makes the best burgers. After a while, you might start feeling like you’re missing out on some pretty awesome flavors, even if the pizza is out-of-this-world good. That’s sort of what Jerry is saying about the art world.
Artists create some seriously incredible stuff. Paintings that make you feel like you’re looking through a window into another world, sculptures that look like they’re about to spring to life, photos that tell a story without saying a single word art is all about expression, imagination, and, most importantly, being unique.
But guess what? Even in a world brimming with creativity, people can fall into patterns, kind of like how you might keep ordering the same pizza with extra pepperoni every Friday night. Jerry noticed that a lot of the time, folks in the art worldartists, collectors, criticskeep hanging out in the same places, talking about the same things, and sharing similar ideas.
Let’s make one thing clear, though: it’s not bad to have favorite spots or to agree on stuff. Chatting with friends about the latest super-fun video game or agreeing that homework could maybe, just maybe, be a teeny bit less boring, that’s normal. But in art, where being different is the name of the game, seeing things that are too similar starts to feel a bit like everyone’s copying each other’s homework.
Jerry is sort of like the cool art teacher who encourages you to draw or paint outside the lines. He loves arta LOTand he just wants people to remember to think for themselves, try new things, and let their imagination off its leash. He’s cheering for more of those “Whoa, I never thought of it that way!” moments that make you feel like you’ve just discovered a secret level in a game.
Think about it. If everyone just followed along, doing the same stuff, we’d have a zillion paintings of the same fruit bowl. Nice fruit bowl, sure. But where’s the fun in that? What if someone decided to paint a fruit bowl in space? Or a fruit bowl as a superhero? That’s where the magic happens!
So, if Jerry were hanging out with us, he’d probably say, “Hey, why not mix it up at lunchtime? Try the school’s mystery meatloaf. Bring a sushi roll to share. Or how about pineapple on your pizza?” You might discover you absolutely love pineapple on pizza, or you really, really don’t, and that’s fine! It’s about the adventure, finding out what clicks for you.
Bringing it back to art the big idea here is about being brave enough to step off the beaten path. It’s about asking questions. Why do we all like this one painting? Is there a super-cool art style out there that hasn’t had its time in the spotlight yet? Could a weird, abstract sculpture actually have a cool story behind it?
Being unique isn’t always easy. Sometimes, it’s like showing up to school in a funky hat you made yourself. Some people might think it’s a bit out there, but others will definitely dig your style and may even be inspired to make their own hats!
Jerry’s point isn’t to scold the art world he loves so much. Not at all! He’s like the friend who nudges you to climb higher on the jungle gym because he knows you can do it. He’s simply reminding everyone that there’s a whole world of wacky, wonderful, weird, and wow-worthy art out there.
The next time you’re about to fall back into the usual routine, whether it’s with pizza, video games, or even your own art projects, toss in a dash of “What if?” What if you tried that new board game? What if you doodled a comic strip? What if you mixed stripes with polka dots?
Jerry’s words inspire you to keep your minds and eyes open because when everyone tries something new, that’s when the really amazing things happen! So, celebrate that usual pizza place for all its cheesy goodness, but don’t forget to leave room for the unexpected and the original, in your plate and your thoughts.
I hope this quote inspired image brings you hope and peace. Share it with someone who needs it today!
