Ira Sachs Quotes

'The Player,' I loved so much because it was such a labor of love on all levels, and it was such an enormous honor to be in a Robert Altman movie.

I think theater is a core need of a community.

As I say, I as an abstract artist was active politically.

I think we should focus more, rather than less, on mobilising the middle classes. They often have a bit of time and money to contribute to change.

I'm not just influenced by the '60s - it's who I am. I grew up with Allen Ginsberg and Che Guevara. I flirted with various forms of communism when it was way out of style. It was this really strange and creative time in music and culture, and it was fabulous.

I think we're going to start to see a new model of civic advocacy where people get together once in a while to protest, but it's more about an ongoing, sustained engagement in issues, networks and communities about which people care.

I've tried to lead a progressive, activist government.

There's an axiom I live by: 'There is no art without politics.' You either choose to engage it, or you choose political apathy. This ties in with ideas around real-time performance and feedback.

I've always been a searcher - you know, a hunter. I'm certainly not the only one. They say actors shouldn't get political and everything, but you can't separate yourself. You can't disconnect yourself from anything.

When things happen socially in our community, as artists, we've got the right to exercise our voices if we choose to, use our powers for good.

I'm trying to be an activist, and I think of that as separate from my work as an artist. But it isn't.

There are beautiful songs people write about love and dancing. But it's political issues that should be addressed.

You have to decide to create the society you want to create, and that's done through politics.

I actually believe that this Trump phenomenon, which has affected many of us, is going to accelerate the use of art for philanthropy, because people are realizing that art is a vehicle for showing opposition - just look at the signs in the women's marches.

Like art, political action gives shape and expression to the things we fear as well as to those we desire. It is a creative process, drawing on the power to imagine as well as to act.

I think if you're going to make political art, you have to engage at some level. You can't just write about politics, you have to try and be politics as well.

What I've found in working less is you start to get a bit more involved in the more real politics, which is local politics that affect what's going on in your own community.

I am possibly thinking about doing an Internet show in the future that will highlight political organizations that I seek out to let people know about them, volunteer opportunities, and donation opportunities.

I was involved with the anti-apartheid movement through my work as an artist and also through my political commitment.

I think it's very important for everyone in America to realize right now the state of our country, not just on this issue but on a lot of issues, that it is time to get active again. People have just sat back and just sort of said, oh, let somebody else do it for a long time, and we're seeing what's happening to the country, even freedom of speech. It's not going well. So I think this is a real opportunity for people to see, yes, if you do get out and you do get active, there are other people there. You just have to seek them out.

If you wear a hoodie but aren't registered to vote, you got the symbolism but missed the substance.

Each generation has to stand up for democracy. It can't take anything for granted and may have to fight fundamental battles anew.

I probably got from my mom a passion for public policy and and civic involvement.

An artist is above all a human being, profoundly human to the core. If the artist can't feel everything that humanity feels, if the artist isn't capable of loving until he forgets himself and sacrifices himself if necessary, if he won't put down his magic brush and head the fight against the oppressor, then he isn't a great artist.

(a womanist) 3. Loves music. Loves dance. Loves the moon. Loves the Spirit. Loves love and food and roundness. Loves struggle. Loves the Folk. Loves herself. Regardless.