I am always rethinking how art is perceived and received
I am always rethinking how art is perceived and received, questioning our relationship to art. That's always been a constant.
When Rirkrit Tiravanija declares, “I am always rethinking how art is perceived and received, questioning our relationship to art. That’s always been a constant,” he speaks with the spirit of one who sees creation not as a finished object but as a living dialogue. His words remind us that art is not fixed upon the wall or bound within a frame — it breathes through the relationship between the maker and the beholder, between the moment of creation and the moment of encounter.
The origin of this wisdom lies in Tiravanija’s own practice as an artist, known for works that dissolve boundaries between audience and creator. He invites people not only to observe but to participate — cooking meals, sharing spaces, transforming art from a silent relic into a living exchange. In this, he reveals that the true measure of art is not only in what is made, but in how it is perceived and received, how it stirs conversation, communion, and reflection.
To “question our relationship to art” is to awaken the heart to its power. Is art to be worshipped from afar, locked away in temples of culture? Or is it to be lived, shared, and woven into daily life? Tiravanija reminds us that this questioning is not a passing curiosity but a constant — an enduring challenge to never let art grow stale, but to see it anew, always alive and always changing.
His words also carry a deeper lesson: that art is a mirror of humanity itself. The way we approach it reflects the way we approach one another — with distance or with intimacy, with reverence or with participation. To rethink how art is received is also to rethink how we engage with the world, with openness rather than passivity, with presence rather than detachment.
Let the generations remember: art is not merely an object, but a relationship, an eternal conversation between creator and witness. Rirkrit Tiravanija’s words endure as a call to question, to reimagine, and to participate, so that art may remain not a relic of the past, but a living constant in the unfolding of life.
VBVu Bui
I love how Tiravanija challenges the conventional notions of art. By questioning how it is perceived and received, he opens up a conversation about art’s true purpose. Do you believe that artists have a responsibility to engage the audience in this way, or is it more important for art to stand on its own without needing constant reevaluation?
DMDoan Mien
Tiravanija’s statement speaks to the evolving nature of art and its reception in modern society. The idea that art is always open to reinterpretation is powerful. How do you think the art world has changed over the years in terms of how art is both produced and consumed? Do you think this constant rethinking makes art more accessible or more difficult to understand?
YNY Nhu
I find this quote interesting because it addresses how the context of art can evolve. Tiravanija seems to challenge the conventional boundaries of what art can be. Do you think the way we consume art—through museums, social media, or interactive experiences—has changed the way we view its meaning? How do you think these shifts affect the artist’s intent?
NANguyen Ngoc Anh
This quote resonates with the idea that art is not just about creation but also about how we receive and interpret it. I love that Tiravanija constantly rethinks art’s relationship with the viewer. How do you think our personal experiences shape how we perceive art? Can art ever be truly objective, or will it always be subjective depending on who’s looking at it?
ATAnh Thu
Rirkrit Tiravanija’s quote makes me think about how we sometimes take art for granted, viewing it only through a traditional lens. His questioning of how art is perceived is fascinating, especially in today’s world where art is more interactive and conceptual than ever. Do you think art should always challenge our perceptions, or is it okay for art to simply exist for beauty’s sake?