Charles Saatchi Quotes

A critic knows more than the author he criticizes, or just as much, or at least somewhat less.

Let us consider the critic, therefore, as a discoverer of discoveries.

Interpretation is the revenge of the intellectual upon art.

Criticism is the windows and chandeliers of art: it illuminates the enveloping darkness in which art might otherwise rest only vaguely discernible, and perhaps altogether unseen.

To a critic, no explanation will do. To a fan, no explanation is needed.

A good critic is the man who describes his adventures among masterpieces.

When something is written for you or handed to you, sometimes there's a very interesting dance as you discover what it is that's required.

Sympathy is the first condition of criticism.

The good critic is he who relates the adventures of his soul among masterpieces.

Theater really gets damaged when there is a paucity of good criticism around.

To criticize is to appreciate, to appropriate, to take intellectual possession, to establish in fine a relation with the criticized thing and to make it one's own.

If people aren't creating literature, there would be nothing for people to criticize.

If you would judge, understand.

I don't delve too deep into reviews.

Art hath an enemy called Ignorance.

There are very few critics who have historical context or authority.

If I weren't an actor, I'd either be a teacher or a critic.

I know all the critics.

All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors. Diversity of opinion about a work of art shows that the work is new, complex and vital.

I do wish that reviews were less like book reports. There was an era when reviewers had something to say about a book: when they painted context and drew conclusions. Many reviews these days are little more than plot summary.

The pleasure of criticizing takes away from us the pleasure of being moved by some very fine things.

I read the art reviews of my work. Some critics understand my art correctly, while some don't. I simply ignore the reviews written by the latter.

I'm usually one of these guys analyzing what does happen and putting it in focus and context.

In certain kinds of writing, particularly in art criticism and literary criticism, it is normal to come across long passages which are almost completely lacking in meaning.

Critics are more committed to the rules of art than artists are.