"Which implies that the real issue in art is the audience's response. Now I claim that when I make things, I don't care about the audience's response, I'm making them for myself. But I'm making them for myself as audience, because I want to wake myself up"
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In this quote, Richard Foreman explores the complex relationship between the artist and the audience, penetrating into the inspirations behind art production and the ultimate significance of the audience's response. Foreman acknowledges a common perspective in art theory-- that the real essence of art is found in the reception and interpretation by an audience. This recommends that art reaches its full capacity not merely through its production however through the interaction with its audiences, who bring their own experiences, emotions, and interpretations into the mix.
However, Foreman juxtaposes this with his individual technique to art-making, where he declares an apparent indifference to the audience's reaction. This may at first seem dismissive of the audience's role, but his statement exposes a deeper introspection. By declaring he produces art for himself, Foreman moves the story to internal discussion-- each work is a self-reflective expedition meant to "wake [himself] up". This waking-up shows a desire for individual discovery or transformation, indicating that art acts as a driver for self-discovery and self-questioning.
Yet, there's a subtle paradox in his statement. In making art for himself as the audience, Foreman inherently acknowledges the function of the audience since he positions himself as the primary one. The act of creation is both introspective and performative, satisfying a need for individual engagement with his own work. Through this self-audience dynamic, Foreman highlights the universality of art's impact-- whether meant for one's own eyes or the masses, the process of production remains valid and powerful.
In essence, Foreman's quote encapsulates the double nature of art as both an individual journey for the developer and a wider discussion with any potential audience. Art is driven by self-questioning and external interaction, highlighting the fluid border between creation and observation, the artist and their audiences.
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