Jan-Paul Sandmann

Hi Lowell! I’m a PhD candidate in Government, studying political theory. I grew up in Germany’s post-industrial Ruhr area and completed my undergraduate and Masters degrees in London, but have been living in Cambridge for two years now already. My dissertation describes how various thinkers believed that artwork which both subverts existing traditions and unites people becomes rarer and rarer as the twentieth century gets going. In line with my thesis topic, and to protest its pessimistic conclusion, I am drawn to a wide range of artforms – literature, drama, fine art, design & architecture – but my obsession is for classical music and opera. Keep an eye out for me on your next trip to Symphony Hall (it’d be great to see you there). Besides, I love to go skiing and mountain climbing. I am always eager to chat about anything philosophical, artistic, or otherwise – don’t hesitate to reach out.