Melanie

“When we talk about an object of desire, we are really talking about a cluster of promises we want someone or something to make to us and make possible for us.”
― Lauren Berlant, The Affect Theory Reader

“To be truly radical is to make hope possible rather than despair convincing”
― Raymond Williams

“I read somewhere it is psychologically beneficial to stand near things greater and more powerful than you yourself, so as to dwarf yourself (and your piddlyass bothers) by comparison. To do so, the writer said, released the spirit from its everyday moorings, and accounted for why Montanans and Sherpas, who live near daunting mountains, aren't much at complaining or nettlesome introspection. He was writing about better "uses" to be made of skyscrapers, and if you ask me the guy was right on the money. All alone now beside the humming train cars, I actually do feel my moorings slacken, and I will say it again, perhaps for the last time: there is mystery everywhere, even in a vulgar, urine-scented, suburban depot such as this. You have only to let yourself in for it. You can never know what's coming next. Always there is the chance it will be--miraculous to say--something you want.”
― Richard Ford, The Sportswriter

“The art institution can believe in another world or narrative and make this visual. And yet too often institutions are happy to parrot the accepted stories. Institutions will always deserve the trouble they receive if they cannot be more imaginative in their responses than to speak with the voice of expertise to their audiences. Administration can be a creative endeavor. What and whom do they administer to? [written by Anthony Elms]”
― Paper Monument, As radical, as mother, as salad, as shelter: What should art institutions do now?