I have nothing to say, I am saying it, and that is poetry

I have nothing to say, I am saying it, and that is poetry

John Cage, the influential American composer and artist, is often associated with the quote, "I have nothing to say, I am saying it, and that is poetry." This statement encapsulates Cage's unique approach to art and music, which challenged traditional notions of creativity and expression.

Cage was a pioneer of experimental music, known for his use of chance operations and unconventional techniques in composition. He believed in the idea of "letting sounds be themselves," allowing for the natural sounds of the world to become music. This philosophy is reflected in his famous piece 4'33", in which the performer sits in silence for four minutes and thirty-three seconds, allowing the ambient sounds of the environment to become the music.