Art exposes illusory uniqueness, with concrete specificity. To express at all, self-expression must transcend individuality while remaining individual.

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An artist’s unique impulse expressing itself concretely, to the degree that it is unique, is not only incomprehensible to all but the artist — taken positively, the expression is useless and without value.

However, uniqueness does have negative conceptual value. In this, uniqueness (non-sameness) is similar to  the concept of liberty (non-compulsion).

But only the alienated can embrace the negative concept of uniqueness, and identification with uniqueness is resignation to alienation, an aesthetic mode of coping.

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Another strategy is to discover those aspects of humanity which have been forgotten or suppressed or vilified — or which have developed in seclusion under new life conditions — which have, through cultural pressures, been isolated in individuals and mistaken for unique. Here, the apparent unique expression is only lost or undiscovered universality.

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Art clears ground with negativity.

Art builds homes with shared positives.

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The most fragile fantasists and the most ruthless realists take refuge in art.