Renowned architect Elizabeth Diller is well-known for her avant-garde designs and perceptive observations on the creative process. She talked about the distinctions between theater and architecture, among other art forms, in one of her interviews.

Diller likens theater to live performances, where the audience's instant feedback is a part of the experience. She emphasizes how artists can find this real-time interaction thrilling because it offers immediate approval or criticism. On the other hand, when producing visual arts like paintings or sculptures, there is no need to defend one's decisions because art is interpreted by the audience independently of the artist's explanations.

However, the public nature of architecture and the need for cooperation with numerous stakeholders make it unique. Designing a building entails interacting with the community, following the law, and negotiating a complicated web of interests and limitations, unlike painting a picture in a vacuum. For Diller, this feature makes architecture both difficult and rewarding.

Consider an artist creating a large mural in a public area. In addition to their own vision, the artist must take into account what the general public needs or desires from the area. It's similar to making a cake that must satisfy the tastes of everyone, even those who might never taste it due to dietary restrictions or cultural differences.

Through her thoughts on these artistic disciplines, Diller highlights the special difficulties and benefits that each art form offers, demonstrating how architecture necessitates a more collaborative approach than other artistic disciplines.