Fred Armisen on art, financial constraints, subsidy, and creativity

Fred Armisen on art, financial constraints, subsidy, and creativity

Responding to a Goethe quote ("It is in working within limits that the master reveals himself.") Armisen said, "That's something that's really underestimated. I think that the best art has been made that way. I believe in limitations. I think the worst art ever made -- in my opinion, because it's all so subjective -- is where the artist had complete freedom."

He cited the Netherlands as an example: "No disrespect to the Netherlands, but I went there and there was some sort of an art festival that I could tell was sponsored by the government or something. It was just this wonderful street fair where there were these stages and musicians and people doing art. And it was so, um ... there was no struggle with [it]. It was people doing whatever they wanted and it was too nice. I think that's when there's no limitations. I could tell that they were just like, Okay, here's a check and just do what you do and we really appreciate you. I felt the opposite of inspired. Disinspired."