Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Art and Politics

Sometimes, the international press does a better job at summarizing U.S. politics than does our own media.

Here's a quote from the UK publication The Guardian. Although it discusses Britain's politics and art scene, it could be uqually applicable on this side of the pond, too:


Art can never do the messy business of politics - the negotiation and compromise. But politicians are now grappling with a new politics about how to change the way people behave in their private lives: how they eat, travel, shop, exercise, drink. And art can open minds and change hearts in a way that our politics is singularly failing to do.

Art is not about the simple certainties of political soundbites. It engages emotionally, prompting a self-questioning. There is no predetermined answer.



Source: "Artists are now taking the lead policiticans have failed to give" (The Guardian; 21 May, 2007)

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