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John Cage

John Cage Quotes

Composer

John Cage (September 5, 1912 - August 12, 1992) was an American composer, music theorist, writer, and experimental musician. Known for his unique approach to music composition and exploration of sound, Cage's works often broke the boundaries of traditional music, profoundly influencing modern music.

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Famous John Cage Quotes

“The responsibility of the artist consists in perfecting his work so that it may become attractively disinteresting.”

May Artist Interest Responsibility

Book:Silence: Lectures and Writings, 50th Anniversary Edition

Source: Silence: Lectures and Writings, 50th Anniversary Edition

“Artists talk a lot about freedom. So, recalling the expression "free as a bird," Morton Feldman went to a park one day and spent some time watching our feathered friends. When he came back, he said, "You know? They're not free: they're fighting over bits of food.”

Knows Said Artist Fighting Bits Expression One Day Bird Parks

Book:Silence: Lectures and Writings

Source: Silence: Lectures and Writings

“Where does beauty begin? Where does it end? Where it ends is where the artist begins.”

Doe Ends Artist Beauty

Book:Silence: Lectures and Writings

Source: Silence: Lectures and Writings

“An artist conscientiously moves in a direction which for some good reason he takes, putting one work in front of the other with the hope he'll arrive before death overtakes him.”

Art Reason Moving Artist Fronts Before Death

Book:Silence: Lectures and Writings, 50th Anniversary Edition

Source: Silence: Lectures and Writings, 50th Anniversary Edition

“People who aren't artists often feel that artists are inspired. But if you work at your art you don't have time to be inspired.”

People Ifs Feels Art Inspiration Artist Inspired Be Inspired

Author:John Cage

About the Author

Born: September 5, 1912
Died: August 12, 1992
Known for: Composer
Quotes: 164

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Books & Sources

Silence: Lectures and WritingsRelated source material

Silence: Lectures and Writings, 50th Anniversary EditionRelated source material

M: Writings '67–'72Related source material

A Year from Monday: New Lectures and WritingsRelated source material

M: Writings ’67–’72Related source material

For the birdsRelated source material

John Cage, writer: previously uncollected piecesRelated source material

The Boulez-Cage CorrespondenceRelated source material

John CageRelated source material

El libro de las setasRelated source material

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