As long as art is understood and valued as an “absolute” ac… - Susan Sontag

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As long as art is understood and valued as an “absolute” activity, it will be a separate, elitist one. Elites presuppose masses. So far as the best art defines itself by essentially “priestly” aims, it presupposes and confirms the existence of a relatively passive, never fully initiated, voyeuristic laity which is regularly convoked to watch, listen, read, or hear — and then sent away.

Susan Sontag

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art elitism masses

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About Susan Sontag

Susan Sontag (16 January 1933 – 28 December 2004) was an American essayist, literary critic, cultural theorist, and political activist.

Biography information from Wikiquote

Also Known As

Alternative Names: Susan Rosenblatt • Susan Lee Sontag • Susan Lee Rosenblatt

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Saul Bellow Roland Barthes Aldous Huxley Thomas Mann Samuel R. Delany

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As long as art is understood and valued as an “absolute” activity, it will be a separate, elitist one. Elites presuppose masses. So far as the best a… - Susan Sontag

About Susan Sontag

Also Known As

Additional quotes by Susan Sontag