![]() ![]() He faced the art/politics dilemma too, though with the significant advantage of artistic and poetic genius. I still enjoy looking at art and writing about it from time to time, especially the art of William Blake (1757-1827). ![]() But at least I have no department meetings to attend. Now I help run an environmental justice organization as well as contribute to Counterpunch - and subject myself to more politics than is healthy for anybody. ![]() I was for almost four decades a professor of art history, and despite radical convictions, was relatively detached from real-world politics. Though I’ve never had to rescue artworks from a burning museum, I’ve experienced the art vs politics problem for years. What’s the use of William Blake? Or for that matter, what’s the use of any art and literature in an age of climate change, proxy wars, nuclear threat, pandemic, and the rise of fascism? Rather than study and enjoy works by long dead poets or painters, shouldn’t we focus on the emergency? If the museum is on fire, do we stroll the galleries, admiring the masterpieces or rush in and douse the flames? ![]() William Blake, The First Book of Urizen, plate 4 (detail), 1794, British Museum. ![]()
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