" The aim of all commentary on art now should be to make works of art – and, by analogy, our own experience – more, rather than less, real to us. The function of criticism should be to show how it is what it is, even that it is what it is, rather than to show what it means. "
- Susan Sontag

The quote suggests that when we talk about art, our goal should be to enhance our appreciation and understanding of it rather than dilute its essence by over-analyzing or interpreting its meaning too literally. Essentially, instead of trying to explain what a piece of art means or represents, the commentator's job is to illuminate how the work exists as an object of experience and why it is significant in that form.

The deeper significance of this statement lies in challenging conventional approaches to critiquing art. Sontag proposes that rather than reducing artworks to their symbolic or ideological meanings, we should focus on appreciating them for what they are and experiencing them fully. This perspective encourages a more direct engagement with the artwork, emphasizing its sensory qualities and emotional impact over intellectual deconstruction. By doing so, it aims to bridge the gap between the artist's intent and the viewer’s experience, fostering a richer and more authentic encounter with art.

Susan Sontag was an influential American writer known for her essays on literature, photography, film, politics, and culture. Her work often explored themes of cultural critique and the complexities of human experiences, making her one of the most respected voices in literary criticism during the 20th century.