Interesting article on the Mass MoCa — Williams connection.

North Adams has become a poster child of New England towns revived by arts and artists. In 1993, 20 percent of its downtown storefronts were occupied; today it’s around 80 percent. Several high-grade restaurants have moved in. Thompson says, “The Maginot Line between prestigious Williamstown and North Adams the tough mill town” is disappearing; indeed, “Mass MOCA sprang like a rib from Williams College; we have lots of Williams alumni and trustees on our board.”

Joe Thompson ‘81 is Director of Mass MoCa and one of the most impressive Ephs of his generation. But, uh, wasn’t the big lesson of the Maginot Line that it didn’t really separate things that much? Moreover, to the extent that the line is disappearing, who is playing the part of the Germans? And, if Williams is Adam and Mass MoCa is Eve, then who gets to be the serpent?

Just asking.