Alex Ross’s article in the New Yorker, “Marking art n a time of rage,” begins with a poignant question: “What is the point of making beautiful things, or of cherishing the beauty of the past, when ugliness runs rampant?” Political views aside, in the light of crisis, differing opinions, and fear of the unknown, the arts can continue to unite and inspire. When artists are among turmoil or amid terrible suffering is when the arts can keep them engaged and moving forward in their creativity. French composer, Olivier Messiaen, found himself imprisoned in a World War II Nazi war camp in Poland. While there, he endured hardship and starvation, to say the least. Luckily a German officer was kind enough to secretly supply him with manuscript paper
