"Once we start collecting, the more you have, the more it gets valuable and that will stop us from responding to the present and taking on new ideas what the artists are doing now"

David Elliott's quote uses a commentary on the paradox of gathering within the art world and how it can impact one's engagement with contemporary creativity. The declaration suggests that as people or institutions heighten their gathering of art, the amassed collection ends up being progressively important, not just in monetary terms but also in historic and cultural significance. This accumulation, nevertheless, can create a reliance on the past and a concentrate on preserving worth, possibly at the cost of staying responsive to present artistic patterns and innovations.

Elliott highlights a psychological and cultural phenomenon where the act of owning transforms the nature of the art itself. The build-up process can stimulate a static frame of mind, where the worth of the collection may eclipse the original purpose of art-- to challenge, to provoke thought, and to mirror the altering characteristics of society. This might lead collectors or institutions to become more worried with the prestige connected to their holdings than with interesting seriously with progressing art types or supporting emerging artists.

The quote can also be viewed as a cautionary tale versus becoming too insular and resistant to alter. When art collections grow, they aren't simply financial assets; they become historical stories based on reinterpretation and revision. If stuck in the past, collectors and museums risk missing out on the transformative power of brand-new art that breaks custom, talks to present problems, and provides fresh viewpoints.

Elliott's words thus function as a suggestion of the need for balance: preserving and appreciating the past without becoming stagnant, while likewise supporting an openness to unique expressions that question, redefine, and expand our understanding of the world. It's a call to embrace the fluidity of art, making sure that the collections of the other day don't overshadow the productions of today and tomorrow.