Art, it seems to me, should simplify finding what conventions of form and what detail one can do without and yet preserve the spirit of the whole -- so that all that one has suppressed and cut away is there to the reader's consciousness as much as if it were in type on the page.

Summary

This quote suggests that art, particularly in the form of writing, should aim to simplify by removing unnecessary conventions and details, while still maintaining the essence of the complete work. By restraining and eliminating certain elements, the artist allows the audience to fill in the gaps with their own interpretation. The absence of these suppressed elements should be as present in the reader's consciousness as if they were overtly mentioned. Overall, it highlights the power of suggestion and the ability of art to engage the audience's imagination to create a complete experience.

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