Dries van Noten Quotes

Somebody informed me recently that the key to every art, from writing to gardening to sculpture, is creativity. I beg to differ.

I never had the dream to be a great designer. My focus was just to do beautiful things.

If I'm in the country, my big idea is to do nothing. It means talking, it means cooking with the leftovers in the fridge - l'art d'accommoder les restes - it means gardening.

The word 'art' interests me very much. If it comes from Sanskrit, as I've heard, it signifies 'making.' Now everyone makes something, and those who make things on a canvas with a frame, they're called artists. Formerly, they were called craftsmen, a term I prefer. We're all craftsmen, in civilian or military or artistic life.

I believe the right question to ask, respecting all ornament, is simply this; was it done with enjoyment, was the carver happy while he was about it?

Men admire the man who can organize their wishes and thoughts in stone and wood and steel and brass.

I always knew that I wanted to be creative, that I wanted to create something.

I enjoy trying to inspire myself. I enjoy the artistic side of everything. Music, art, fashion, everything. I just like to be on the cutting edge of it. I'm into designing houses and interior design. I like change. I like creating things out of nothing.

I don't use the word 'artists' lightly.

I wouldn't know how to design. I couldn't even if I wanted to, for I can't draw, and a pair of scissors in my hands becomes a dangerous weapon.

Art is not living. It is the use of living.

Whether it's digital or physical, a pencil or a pen: line work. Humans are making things. And out of that comes the entire designed world we live within.

Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together.

As human beings, we are the only organisms that create for the sheer stupid pleasure of doing so. Whether it's laying out a garden, composing a new tune on the piano, writing a bit of poetry, manipulating a digital photo, redecorating a room, or inventing a new chili recipe - we are happiest when we are creating.

I think I was always obsessed with esthetics.

I love creating and being able to see an idea come to fruition. I love making beautiful things.

Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and, if possible, speak a few sensible words.

I'm an artist, and I love the visual. Fashion is high art sometimes and hack work other times, but it's something worthy of study and love.

During a fashion show, I want the clothes to speak. The effort I put into my work must be respected.

When I was little, I just was very tuned in to the functionality and aesthetics of things around me.

An artist is attracted to certain kinds of form without knowing why. You adopt a position intuitively; only later do you attempt to rationalize or even justify it.

I think there's something beautiful about the art of making art, and it just will live and breathe.

Whenever I'm doing a collection, I'm inspired by the world around us.

I was taught that you can't be a healthy individual without art, music, or nature in your life. All my art is tied into inner cultural experience. It has to do with music or ceremonies or nature, even the funny ones.

Music is art, and making watches is art, too.