"Whatever I do seems artificial and false, to me"

Jasper Johns, a renowned figure in contemporary art, is understood for his expedition of understanding and the borders of artistic expression. The quote "Whatever I do seems synthetic and false, to me" uses a profound self-questioning into his views on the nature of art and creation.

At the heart of this statement is the concept of credibility. Johns might be revealing a struggle typical among artists: the obstacle of creating something real in a medium that inherently involves manipulation and representation. Art is both a reflection and a distortion of reality, formed by the artist's hand, and Johns appears to grapple with this duality. His recommendation of feeling that his work is artificial suggests an acute awareness of the built nature of art-- how it can never ever genuinely catch the essence of its subject but rather provides a version seen through the artist's lens.

Moreover, this quote might be reflective of the imposter syndrome that many artists experience, where despite external validation, they internally question the worth and authenticity of their developments. Johns' work frequently involved taking common items and elevating them into art, as seen in his popular series of paintings of the American flag. This change of the ordinary into the remarkable needs a process of creative imposition, which could lead him to feel a sense of artificiality in his developments-- a departure from valued genuine spontaneity.

In addition, this statement could be an expression of the intrinsic contradictions within the process of production. An artist is charged with bridging the space between personal vision and the external world, translating ideas and sensations into a concrete form. This procedure can appear artificial given that it involves intentional options and built techniques that may feel removed from the artist's initial impulse or emotion.

In summary, Johns' quote brightens the complicated emotions surrounding the imaginative procedure. It highlights a tension in between the drive to develop and the doubts about authenticity and truth in art, reflecting a universal and ageless artist's battle.