William Blake had a theory of contraries, something reflected in the titles of his two most famous works: “Songs of Innocence and of Experience” and “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell.” In the latter, written between 1790 and 1793, Blake argues that “attraction and repulsion, reason and energy, love and hate, are necessary to human existence.” In the same piece, Blake states that “exuberance is beauty.” We can see this exuberance in Blake’s visionary works, in the colorful style and deeply layered meanings of his poetry and prose, and in the paintings that often accompany them. Many of Blake’s contemporaries believed him to be mad due to his idiosyncratic and often iconoclastic views, but he is now considered one of the greatest and most creative British artists of all time. 

Jamie Lee Curtis has been a staple of the Hollywood film industry since her breakout role in the 1978 horror classic “Halloween.” She went on to star in such beloved films as “Freaky Friday,” “True Lies,” “Trading Places,” and “A Fish Called Wanda.” Beyond her acting career, Curtis is a children’s book author and an advocate for animal rights, environmentalism, and other causes. In 2023, at age 64, Curtis won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her hilarious role in the film "Everything Everywhere All at Once," cementing her legacy as an icon of the entertainment world who has brought joy to millions around the world.