I do not sculpt and paint to make the world sacred. I sculpt and paint to give permanence to my feelings about how terrible the world truly is. Nothing is real to me except my own feelings; nothing is true except my own feelings as I see them all around me in my sculptures and paintings. I know these feelings are true, because if they were not true they would make art that is as terrible as the world.
In "My Name Is Asher Lev," the character expresses a profound and personal approach to art, indicating that his sculptures and paintings are an emotional response to the harsh realities of the world. He emphasizes that his creative process is not about glorifying life or making the world appear sacred, but rather about capturing and preserving his feelings about the world's negativity. His art reflects a deep honesty that resonates with his perception of reality, revealing the inner turmoil he experiences.
Asher Lev asserts that his own feelings and experiences are the only truths that matter in his artistic expression. He believes that if art were to reflect anything other than his feelings, it would be as grim as the world itself. This statement illustrates his commitment to authenticity in his work, suggesting that art serves as a channel for expressing personal truths, and that these feelings are valid and relatable in the broader context of human existence.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
