Separating the Art from the Artist

kennyp · 2023-03-02T17:27:05Z

On the back of the threads about Dilbert and Roger Waters. To what extent does the opinions or behaviour of an artist (writer, singer, comedian, actor/actress, painter etc) influence how you view their work? Would you stop enjoying their output if they had done something you regarded as immoral or even criminal, or held views you disagree with? Or is it a question of degree? An extreme example would be someone who was a massive fan of Gary Glitter's music. But in most instances it's much less, maybe a band who hold political views you don't like, or perhaps an author who writes great literature but was a pretty unpleasant individual. Does it come down to how much you like the person's work? Much easier to not listen to Roger Waters anymore if you were only aware of The Wall and not much else; a lot harder if you've been a massive Pink Floyd fan for the last forty years. Personally I find it quite easy to separate art from artist. Maybe that's a moral failing of my own, who knows. I'm not going to stop reading or buying Dilbert books (they are my "on the loo" choice of reading), and I quite enjoy Pink Floyd so won't stop listening to them because Waters is a bellend.

chevychase

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@BillMC

What’s Roger Waters been up to then?

Supporting the BDS movement, so is on the end of an unjust "you're an antisemite" shoeing.

Being wrong on Russia/Ukraine.

So if you balance it out, it's evens, but his music is still good 🙂

Posted : 03/03/2023 11:51 pm

tonyf1

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I was thinking about this only yesterday on hearing the news of the renaming of the John Peel stage at Glastonbury.

I concluded I probably draw a line between people who are being a bellend and those that cause genuine harm to others directly or through words and deeds that influence others.

Posted : 04/03/2023 12:37 pm

desperatebicycle

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renaming of the John Peel stage at Glastonbury.

Is that cos John Peel was the only star to take advantage of an under-age groupie back in the 70s?
**** Glastonbury anyway - Elton bloody John, the single most overrated act in history headlining? Arf.

Posted : 07/03/2023 1:04 pm

IdleJon

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Morrison – serial groupie user, drug introducer and the morals of a snake

Omg, it’s almost like he’s in a rock n roll band or something…

Yeah, rock band, late 60s, West Coast USA. Almost a different world never mind time.

Posted : 07/03/2023 1:13 pm

IdleJon

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What’s Roger Waters been up to then?

Supporting the BDS movement, so is on the end of an unjust “you’re an antisemite” shoeing.

Presumably Simon Schama is an anti-semite as well. 😀

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/05/simon-schama-uk-jews-condemn-israel-far-right-violence-palestinians

Posted : 07/03/2023 1:19 pm

edhornby

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I think there will always be a personal choice that you'd make - but for me there is a difference between historical and current, an artist would not get my money if they were dodgy so I'm not going to watch films with Kevin Spacey or buy a morrisey album in for example.

I've seen one of hitler's paintings once (not an original obvs) and it was terrible - and Bad by MJ is a rubbish album.

Posted : 07/03/2023 2:11 pm

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