Meaning: Roy Lichtenstein, an American pop artist, made this statement in the context of his artistic approach and the perception of his work. The quote reflects his desire to create art that appears programmed or impersonal, yet he acknowledges that his personal touch inevitably shines through in his work.

Lichtenstein is renowned for his use of comic book-style imagery and techniques, often employing Ben-Day dots and bold lines to mimic the mass-production processes of commercial printing. His work often features enlarged and re-contextualized images from popular culture, such as comic strips and advertisements. This approach led to his association with the Pop Art movement, which emerged in the 1950s and 1960s as a reaction to the dominance of abstract expressionism. Pop Art sought to blur the boundaries between high and low culture, embracing consumerism and mass media as legitimate subjects for artistic exploration.

In the quote, Lichtenstein's mention of wanting his work to appear "programmed or impersonal" reflects his interest in the mechanical and industrial processes involved in mass production. By borrowing imagery from mass culture and employing the techniques of commercial printing, he sought to create art that mirrored the impersonal nature of mass-produced goods. This sentiment aligns with the ethos of Pop Art, which often sought to challenge traditional notions of authorship and originality by appropriating and recontextualizing existing images.

However, Lichtenstein's acknowledgment that he doesn't truly believe he is being impersonal when creating his art highlights an important aspect of his practice. Despite the calculated and mechanical appearance of his work, Lichtenstein recognized that his own artistic sensibilities and decisions inevitably influenced the final outcome. This insight speaks to the tension between the desire to emulate impersonal, mass-produced aesthetics and the inherent subjectivity and personal touch that artists bring to their work.

Furthermore, Lichtenstein's assertion that he doesn't think others could achieve this impersonal quality in their work speaks to the unique combination of artistic vision and technical execution that defined his practice. His meticulous attention to detail and his ability to replicate and reinterpret the visual language of mass media set his work apart from mere imitation. While he aspired to create art that appeared impersonal, the depth of his engagement with his source material and the deliberate choices he made in the process ultimately infused his work with his own artistic identity.

In conclusion, Roy Lichtenstein's quote encapsulates the tension between the desire to emulate the impersonal qualities of mass-produced imagery and the inevitable infusion of personal expression in artistic creation. His self-awareness regarding the dichotomy between his intention to appear impersonal and the undeniable personal touch in his work sheds light on the complexity of his artistic practice within the context of the Pop Art movement. Lichtenstein's ability to navigate this tension and create art that simultaneously embodies the aesthetics of mass production and his own artistic sensibilities solidifies his legacy as a pioneering figure in 20th-century art.