Being an artist now means to question the nature of art. If one is questioning the nature of painting, one cannot be questioning the nature of art. If an artist accepts painting (or sculpture) he is accepting the tradition that goes with it. That's because the word art is general and the word painting is specific. Painting is a kind of art. If you make paintings you are already accepting (not questioning) the nature of art. One is then accepting the nature of art to be the European tradition of a painting-sculpture dichotomy.


Joseph Kosuth in: Arthur R. Rose, Four Interviews, Arts Magazine (February, 1969).

Joseph Kosuth Quotes

Being an artist now means to question the nature of art. If one is questioning the nature of painting, one cannot be questioning the nature of art....

Being an artist now means to question the nature of art. If one is questioning the nature of painting, one cannot be questioning the nature of art....

Being an artist now means to question the nature of art. If one is questioning the nature of painting, one cannot be questioning the nature of art....

Being an artist now means to question the nature of art. If one is questioning the nature of painting, one cannot be questioning the nature of art....