There are so many ways for us to find inspiration—reexamining the
past is often a fruitful one. I am delighted that we have three very diverse articles this month that all address the idea
of looking back as a way of moving forward.
Chronologically,
we present Anna Leung’s reading of the exhibition Pre-Raphaelites: Victorian Avant-Garde, which just closed on 13 January
at the Tate Britain. Anna gives a delightful tour. It is refreshing to think about how the Pre-Raphaelites looked to the medieval
in their love of flatness in their painted spaces. Looking back at Gutai, Michel Batlle brings us his perspective on this
important Japanese group that was contemporary with abstract expressionism, happenings, and performance art. Phil Auslander
considers how rock musicians sought inspiration and renewal in the late 1960s by revisiting rock’s roots in country
music. It is ironic that so many country musicians now look to rock: the pendulum swings back and forth.
Happy New Year!
All my best,
