Quotes from Jenny Holzer

It's necessary to start most work alone. But I'm tickled to death when I can pull somebody in or join someone, whether it's borrowing poetry or traveling with an associate.

I'd paint long strips of canvas and abandon them on the beach, or put bread out in geometric patterns for the pigeons downtown. I wanted people to find something nice and intriguing to puzzle over. Then I'd go back to see if the things were still there, or if anyone would notice.

OBVIOUSLY YOU STRIKE OUTAGAINST PEOPLE WITHIN RANGE.IT'S CATHARTIC TO AFFECTSOMEONE WHEN YOU'RE ANGRY.ALTERNATIVELY, CHOOSEENEMIES IMPOSSIBLY FAR AWAYSO YOU NEVER HAVE TO FIGHT.

All things are delicately interconnected.

I used language because I wanted to offer content that people - not necessarily art people - could understand.

The most profound things are inexpressible.

That's the test of street art – to see if anybody stopped. People would cross out ones they didn't like and would star others. I liked that people would engage with them.

I'm always trying to bring unusual content to a different audience - a non-art-world audience.

In a dream you saw a way to survive and you were full of joy.

Turn soft and lovely anytime you have the chance.

It is in your self-interest to find a way to be very tender.

If you behaved nicely, the communists wouldn't exist.

SPIT ALL OVER SOMEONE WITH A MOUTHFUL OF MILK IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT SOMETHING ABOUT THEIR PERSONALITY FAST.

You are a victim of the rules you live by.

Ruin your fucking self before they do. Otherwise they'll screw you because you're a nobody. They'll keep you alive but you'll have to crawl and say thank-you for every bone they throw. You might as well stay drunk or shoot junk and be a crazy fucker. If the rich guys want to play with you, make them get their hands dirty. Send them away gagging, or sobbing if they're soft-hearted. You'll be left alone if you're frightening, and dead you're free!

Savor kindness because cruelty is always possible later.

You confuse me with something that is in you. I will not predict how you want to use me.

SOME DAYS YOU WAKE AND IMMEDIATELY START TO WORRY. NOTHING IN PARTICULAR IS WRONG, IT¹S JUST THE SUSPICION THAT FORCES ARE ALIGNING QUIETLY AND THERE WILL BE TROUBLE.

BY YOUR RESPONSE TO DANGER IT IS EASY TO TELL HOW YOU HAVE LIVED AND WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO YOU. YOU SHOW WHETHER YOU WANT TO STAY ALIVE, WHETHER YOU THINK YOU DESERVE TO, AND WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IT'S ANY GOOD TO ACT.

Protect me from what I want.

Boredom makes you do crazy things.

THERE IS A PERIOD WHEN IT IS CLEAR THAT YOU HAVE GONE WRONG BUT YOU CONTINUE. SOMETIMES THERE IS A LUXURIOUS AMOUNT OF TIME BEFORE ANYTHING BAD HAPPENS.

Knowing yourself lets you understand others.

Expressing anger is necessary.