I often look at my work in two ways. I am a reporter, documenting the age in which I live in … no artist invents these things, he presents them. The only thing he invents is the magical combination of things that present the message to the viewer or listener… I also view my works – visuals, performance, music, writing, theatre – as my children to be nurtured and coddled until each is able to stand on its own two feet and run… Another thing: I am a teacher. I pass the torch… I believe there are two ways we can live forever — and both are equal in importance — the first is genetically, through our children. And the second is in memory.
Brian Butterick, June 1993. Excerpted from a letter to his father.