Quotes from Hans Arp

Art is a fruit that grows in man, like a fruit on a plant, or a child in its mother's womb.

All things, and man as well, should be like nature, without measure.

I like nature but not its substitutes... Mondrian opposed art to nature saying that art is artificial and nature is natural. I do not share this opinion... Art's origins are natural.

Any work that is not rooted in myth and poetry or that does not partake of the depth and essence of the universe is merely a ghost.

In the good times of Dada, we detested polished works, the distracted air of spiritual struggle, the titans, and we rejected them with all out being.

I did exhibitions with the Surrealists (in Paris, in 1929) because their attitude revolted against 'art' and their attitude toward life itself was wise, as was Dada's.

Since the time of the cavemen, man has glorified himself, has made himself divine, and his monstrous vanity has caused human catastrophe. Art has collaborated in this false development. I find this concept of art which has sustained man's vanity to be loathsome.

La mariposa disecada se convierte en una mamariposa disesecada la mamariposa disesecada se convierte en una granmamariposa grandisesecada

Art is like fruit, owing out of man—like the child out of its mother.

the earth is not a fresh-air resort and the idyllic prospectuses of the earth tell lies.

Dada aimed to destroy the reasonable deceptions of man and recover the natural and unreasonable order.

The vertical and the horizontal are the extreme signs available to man for touching the beyond and his inwardness.

Artists should work together like the artists of the Middle Ages.

The important thing about Dada, it seems to me, is that Dadaists despised what is commonly regarded as art, but put the whole universe on the lofty throne of art.

I use very little red. I use blue, yellow, a little green, but especially... black, white and grey. There is a certain need in me for communication with human beings. Black and white is writing.

I allow myself to be guided by the work which is in the process of being born. I have confidence in it. I do not think about it.