"But every single damn thing matters! Only we don't realize. We just tell ourselves that art runs on one track and life, our lives, on another, and we don't realize that's a lie"
About this Quote
Roberto Bolaño's quote underscores a profound entanglement between art and life, challenging the common perception that they run on separate tracks. The expression "But every damn thing matters!" works as a wake-up call, emphasizing the significance of every aspect and action in both art and life. It suggests that there is no insignificant detail; everything is interconnected and substantial.
Bolaño argues that people typically cope with the impression that art and life stand out and separated from one another. In specific, people engage with art as a short-lived escape or as something external to their own presence. Similarly, people might go through life without acknowledging it as a type of art in itself. This separation is what Bolaño determines as "a lie". He posits that art and life are not on different tracks but share the same course, influencing and informing each other in detailed ways.
The implication is that by separating art and life, individuals fail to value how deeply their individual experiences, emotions, and choices are shown in the art they produce and take in. Art is not just an abstract building but a mirror and commentary on the human experience. It holds the power to change understandings, provoke idea, and evoke feelings that are intrinsically connected to one's life journey.
By acknowledging this interconnectedness, people can discover higher significance both in creative expressions and in the ordinary elements of their every day lives. Each moment, whether in art or presence, becomes part of a broader narrative, encouraging a more conscious engagement with the world. Bolaño welcomes us to dissolve the artificial barrier between these realms and to value the complex tapestry of presence where art and life exist side-by-side, improve, and specify one another.
More details
About the Author