I agree with what you say. I do however look for more art by the artists I already like. So when I know I am headed to see a Raphael, a Monet, a Giotto, or a Velasquez, it makes me anticipate more and it’s extra special to recognize the techniques that make them
Ok, so here's a question for you. How about separating gigs from the company. I was recently approached to speak for a very large corporation that produces products I'd rather not see in the world, but they have employees in need of motivation and inspiration. Do I take the gig and help the people, or shun the gig because helping the people would enable the company to better deliver their product? The company is not asking me to modify my message, which is about being authentically human and empowering professional growth. But their bottom line is most certainly profit.
Although I appreciate your thoughts and stance, I would have to respectfully disagree! All art is consumed under systems that are inherently meant to disenfranchise certain populations. Artists are not isolated from these systems (capitalism, patriarchy, white supremacy) and the ways in which they contribute to these systems and thus promote the dehumanization of historically vulnerable populations influences how many throughout the world treat these people as well. By separating art from the artist, we may inadvertently overlook or downplay the consequences of their behavior, which can be harmful to victims and perpetuate a culture of impunity. Holding artists accountable for their actions sends a message that certain behaviors are not acceptable! This can contribute to a more ethical and responsible artistic community, where hopefully artists and the general public alike are mindful of the impact of their actions on others. :) Just my thoughts!
Creating that looks inside oneself too often comes from a place of pain. If we heal the pain what comes instead it becomes insight and knowledge. It becomes growth and information that could move the whole of humanity forward to a healthier place.
We do not value how much it costs the artists to be an artist. You are benefiting from his pain. You are benefiting from him never moving through his pain and deciding instead to spread it. We should healing. Creating is a part of that. But if artists are not healing there is high cost to continue to create in that same way.
Artists are some of societies most tortured and exploited people. I don't want that. I want growth and moving through the process and healing. Everything is better when you do this. He sought out young boy to teach them. That is all he should have done. Instead he stopped their learning. I am sorry I can't support that.
A thought-provoking read. It reminds me a lot of my experience listening to Kanye West. He was my favorite artist for many years but his reputation now has gone (rightfully so in my opinion) down to the floor. I still like his older music, but it's hard to enjoy because of the person he seems to be.
I think that it depends. I am also a big believer in the concept of “the song, not the singer” but in the age where we know all (or most) about anyone, the idea of dancing to the music of a rapist is very off putting. Granted that there are bad people and bad people. Shakira didn’t pay her taxes in Spain, but she didn’t kill anyone. Liam Gallagher seems like a proper d$&k but I heard nothing about him actually chanting “Jews shall not replace us”. So I guess that artists don’t have to be virtuous, but somehow, we don’t connect with their art if they are evil.
The same thing happens with the great people of history, whose lives and ideas are a kind of art we can appreciate and learn from. The modern world balks as them, seeing their times as indelible stains invalidating all they've done.
But those men and women are dead. We don't hurt them with our neglect. We only hurt ourselves by depriving us of an example outside of the straightjacket of present thinking.
I agree with what you say. I do however look for more art by the artists I already like. So when I know I am headed to see a Raphael, a Monet, a Giotto, or a Velasquez, it makes me anticipate more and it’s extra special to recognize the techniques that make them
masters at their art:)
Ok, so here's a question for you. How about separating gigs from the company. I was recently approached to speak for a very large corporation that produces products I'd rather not see in the world, but they have employees in need of motivation and inspiration. Do I take the gig and help the people, or shun the gig because helping the people would enable the company to better deliver their product? The company is not asking me to modify my message, which is about being authentically human and empowering professional growth. But their bottom line is most certainly profit.
Although I appreciate your thoughts and stance, I would have to respectfully disagree! All art is consumed under systems that are inherently meant to disenfranchise certain populations. Artists are not isolated from these systems (capitalism, patriarchy, white supremacy) and the ways in which they contribute to these systems and thus promote the dehumanization of historically vulnerable populations influences how many throughout the world treat these people as well. By separating art from the artist, we may inadvertently overlook or downplay the consequences of their behavior, which can be harmful to victims and perpetuate a culture of impunity. Holding artists accountable for their actions sends a message that certain behaviors are not acceptable! This can contribute to a more ethical and responsible artistic community, where hopefully artists and the general public alike are mindful of the impact of their actions on others. :) Just my thoughts!
Creating that looks inside oneself too often comes from a place of pain. If we heal the pain what comes instead it becomes insight and knowledge. It becomes growth and information that could move the whole of humanity forward to a healthier place.
We do not value how much it costs the artists to be an artist. You are benefiting from his pain. You are benefiting from him never moving through his pain and deciding instead to spread it. We should healing. Creating is a part of that. But if artists are not healing there is high cost to continue to create in that same way.
Artists are some of societies most tortured and exploited people. I don't want that. I want growth and moving through the process and healing. Everything is better when you do this. He sought out young boy to teach them. That is all he should have done. Instead he stopped their learning. I am sorry I can't support that.
A thought-provoking read. It reminds me a lot of my experience listening to Kanye West. He was my favorite artist for many years but his reputation now has gone (rightfully so in my opinion) down to the floor. I still like his older music, but it's hard to enjoy because of the person he seems to be.
I think that it depends. I am also a big believer in the concept of “the song, not the singer” but in the age where we know all (or most) about anyone, the idea of dancing to the music of a rapist is very off putting. Granted that there are bad people and bad people. Shakira didn’t pay her taxes in Spain, but she didn’t kill anyone. Liam Gallagher seems like a proper d$&k but I heard nothing about him actually chanting “Jews shall not replace us”. So I guess that artists don’t have to be virtuous, but somehow, we don’t connect with their art if they are evil.
PS- the rumors about Michael Jackson were, I believe, never confirmed. So we cannot judge an artist based on hearsay, right?
The same thing happens with the great people of history, whose lives and ideas are a kind of art we can appreciate and learn from. The modern world balks as them, seeing their times as indelible stains invalidating all they've done.
But those men and women are dead. We don't hurt them with our neglect. We only hurt ourselves by depriving us of an example outside of the straightjacket of present thinking.
I wrote more about this here: https://open.substack.com/pub/andrewperlot/p/why-were-marooned-in-the-present?r=1xulhu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web