Israeli artists confront politics and boycotts at the Venice Biennale

Art should, by definition, occupy lofty spheres way above petty politics and other forms of consciousness manipulation for ultimately Machiavellian ends. But – just in case we hadn't noticed – it ain't a perfect world. Indeed, in a utopian society there wouldn't be any politics or politicians in the first place. Nor would there be any need for rabbis, priests, imams, doctors, lawyers, police, or any other form of authority with the legal, religious or societal power to tell us what to do and what not to do. We would simply take responsibility for our own lives. Now, wouldn't that be a fine thing?Art can – should – grant us some respite from all of the negative existential detritus, and from the anxieties that come with everyday life, especially in this relentlessly troubled part of the world.