Civilization is repression. You don’t get civilization without repression of the unconscious, of the id. And the basic appeal of art is to the unconscious. Therefore, art is somewhat subversive of civilization. And yet at the same time it seems necessary for civilization. You don’t get civilization without art.
“I wonder if they have the memories we do: sleepwake, working on our tans, ribbons of flesh twirling, long isabelline bus rides of dusk, necks of tulle, promises made on hands and knees, wet grass, actual heartache or actual love. Or the likeness of love, the shadow aspect. O, a medley of skin trying to find an answer. If they want you to be a tulip, you will be a tulip, no matter your shape. You will always ever be a tulip, a black one, a wilted thing, a tulip by the sea, the character of a tulip. You will be the seedling unsprung.”
Lisa Marie Basile | Nympholepsy