quotes about art, architecture and other important things

a collection of quotes that I gathered over the years through my reading.  I don't necessarily agree with all of the ideas and opinions expressed herein but those that either provoked thought or tickled were included.

June 2014 - studio of Glenn Williams Architect NCARB

I’m confused – is it less or is it more?

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“I could count twenty such
On twice your fingers, and not leave this town,
Who strive–you don’t know how the others strive
To paint a little thing like that you smeared
Carelessly passing with your robes afloat,–
Yet do much less, so much less, Someone says,
(I know his name, no matter)–so much less!
Well, less is more, Lucrezia: I am judged.”

from the poem  Andrea del Sarto by Robert Browning [1812-1889] English poet

Robert_browning_cartoon-1-

Less is more.” – – Mies van der Rohe [1886-1969] German American architect

Mies van der Rohe

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

“Less is a bore.” – – Robert Venturi [b.1925] American architect

RobertVenturi

Robert Charles Venturi, Jr.

“More is more.” – – Tony Duquette [1914-1999] American artist

Tony_Duquette_at_Ranch

Tony Duquette at his Malibu, CA ranch

“More is a bore.”- – Bjarke Ingels [b. 1974] Danish architect

Bjarke Ingels in 2012

Bjarke Ingels in 2012

“Less and less is more and more.” – – Tom Wolfe [b. 1931] American writer (I think this is attributable to Wolfe though I can’t locate the source.  If he didn’t write or utter it he ought to have.)

Thomas Kennerly Wolfe, Jr.

Thomas Kennerly Wolfe, Jr.