Art. What’s it for, anyway?

You know when you’re having one of those days? When you have to stop and marvel at just how despicable human beings can be? We’ve all had them. That’s one of the things art is for. When you look at someone and you find yourself briefly considering what the consequences would be if you punched them  in the face. That’s what art is for. When you have to deal with one of these sons or daughters of Belial, and you feel your head may explode, plus how EXACTLY do you make napalm anyway? That’s what art is for.

On those days, get thee to the National Gallery, the V&A, the Tate. If you can’t get away, go online and look at the collections until the urge to have their guts for your garters subsides. Listen to some Mozart, some Haydn, some Bob Marley. That way you’ll stay out of prison. I recommend in no particular order: Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, Haydn’s ‘Surprise’ Symphony, Ruben Blades, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, The Housemartins, Bob Marley. Read some P.G Wodehouse in your lunch hour. To all the artists and artisans out there, who make beautiful things just because they can, a grateful human race salutes you.