New YCBA Blake exhibit inspires English seminar

In tandem with the new exhibit, Yale’s English department is teaching a seminar partially focused on Blake’s literary legacy, titled “Word and Image from William Blake to Claudia Rankine.” Taught by Langdon Hammer ’80 GRD ’89, the course explores the tradition of visionary poets and artists, such as Blake, and how they synthesized the written word and visual art. 

“Blake wanted to change your mind. He wanted to change your ways of seeing and thinking. He wanted to change your ways of reading,” Hammer said. “His visionary impulses are enacted in this particular way by creating objects that make reading problematic, that make seeing problematic.” 

Read the full article on Yale Daily News.