Ernest Greene, a musician who goes by the stage name Washed Out, is the source of this quotation. Greene, who is well-known for his nostalgic and dreamy electronic music, has a reputation for evoking a mystical atmosphere in his songs that takes listeners to a different world.
When discussing his method of creating music, Greene said he wanted to allow listeners to understand his compositions however they see fit. In order for the listener to form emotional landscapes and personal connections with the music, he wants them to construct their own illusions around what they hear. It's similar to painting with sound, in which every chord or note can be a brushstroke on an abstract canvas that is unique to each observer.
Greene's belief in the power of imagination and how it influences our perception of art is reflected in his philosophy. He lets listeners fill in the blanks with their own emotions and memories by not giving away too much or giving too much background information. Instead of placing every flower in its precise spot, this method is similar to allowing space for a garden to develop naturally.
Greene's quotation essentially addresses the idea that, particularly in the context of art, sometimes less really is more when it comes to communication. He advises having faith that listeners will eventually comprehend his music or deduce its meaning on their own without immediate explanation. Everyone's experience of art is made richer and more intimate by the patience and trust that exist between the artist and the audience.