Philip Johnson Quotes (44 quotes)

Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„Processionalism is primary - how you get from one place to another, the relationships and effects of spaces as you move about in them. That's worked out awfully well in the State Theater. I'm a 'straight-in' man myself; I'm too nervous, I like to know where I am. I also like to know where I'm going.“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„How does an artist know when the line that he just painted is good or not good? That's the catch. De Kooning was the greatest of my contemporaries in art, and he knew when he'd done a good line. When he didn't, he threw it away. I wish I'd thrown away some of mine.“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„In my own work, I'd say I'm a classicist, but I look everywhere for my solutions. I don't study the toilet-living habits of my clients, although that's a popular approach. First, I think of every building in history that has been similar in purpose. Then I think of the functional program - that's a major part of the study.“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„The people with money to build today are corporations - they are our popes and Medicis. The sense of pride is why they build.“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„Anybody can build a building, putting some doors into it, but how many times have you been in a building that moves you to tears the way Beethoven's 'Eighth' does?“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„It is wonderful to be in the country in a glass house, because no matter what happens out there, you're nice and safe, you know, cuddled in your little bed, and there it is, raging storms, snowing - wonderful.“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„I used to think that each phase of life was the end. But now that my view on life is more or less fixed, I believe that change is a great thing. In fact, it's the only real absolute in the world.“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„I guess I can't be a great architect. Great architects have a recognizable style. But if every building I did were the same, it would be pretty boring.“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„Faith? Haven't any. I'm not a nihilist or a relativist. I don't believe in anything but change. I'm a Heraclitean - you can't step in the same river twice.“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„You cannot not know history.“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„There's only one reason for my whole life, and that's art. Nothing else counts; nothing else gives me pleasure; nothing else gives me satisfaction.“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„There's no such thing as old age. I'm no different now than I was 50 years ago. I'm just having more fun.“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„I'm about four skyscrapers behind.“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„I wouldn't build a building if it wasn't of interest to me as a potential work of art. Why should I?“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„I guess I want to make money just like other people, perhaps more than most people.“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„I get between nine and ten hours of sleep. Go to bed at 8:30 and get up at 6:00 or 6:30 if I oversleep.“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„I always think of buildings in their settings, but so do other architects.“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„Glibness will get your anywhere.“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„I wish someone would ask me to design a cathedral.“
― Philip Johnson ―
Picture of quotation author Philip Johnson
„I haven't any wisdom - just a child like everybody else. I'm not as great as Frank Lloyd Wright.“
― Philip Johnson ―

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Author information

Philip Johnson
Author born: July 08, 1906
Author died: January 25, 2005
Nationality: American
Author Profession: Architect

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