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Writers at Roehampton: the grand finale
Story Posted: 23 June 2006
It was the final event in the Writers at Roehampton series, sponsored by the University’s School of Arts...
Soldier, barman, television critic, beekeeper, printmaker: Emeritus Professor of English at Oxford University John Carey questioned the role of the arts in today’s society with a discussion entitled What Good are the Arts? It was the final event in the Writers at Roehampton series, sponsored by the University’s School of Arts.
Carey’s loaded question, What Good are the Arts?, which is also the title of his latest book, introduced a wittily provocative argument. He dismissed comforting notions that the arts make us better people, or that they are a sign of civilisation, and he insisted that aesthetic judgements can only ever be a matter of subjective taste. In what was perhaps the most controversial part of his talk, Professor Carey made his case for why literature is the most valuable of the arts.
John Carey’s discussion concluded a successful and varied season for Writers at Roehampton. Mistress of romantic fiction ‘Sophie Weston’ and Roehampton Professor of English Literature Jenny Hartley discussed the pleasures of reading in our culture, while Nicola Humble, Senior Lecturer in English at Roehampton and author of Culinary Pleasures explored the rise of the cook book and transformations in British food.
Award-winning journalist, writer and broadcaster Jay Rayner shared his experience of exploring crime, politics, the arts, culture, food and fashion in the British and international press To introduce the series in March Roehampton’s Chancellor and BBC world affairs editor John Simpson joined battle with media industry heavyweight John Lloyd over the role of the media in politics.
Organiser Sarah Turvey thanked School of Arts Dean Lyndie Brimstone, colleagues, students and the local community for their support of the successful series.
“It was an impressive programme of very talented writers from both Roehampton and outside. It also gave us the chance not only to open our doors to people from outside, but also to remind ourselves of the pleasures of being part of a university community as well.”