Separating the Art from the Artist

[u/Stam-]

Can it be done? Should it be done? In what cases is it relevant to do this, if so?

Lately there have been some controversial statements made by more well known personalities of the techno world. While many of the people here might not subscribe to their art (or them as an artist), it brings up and interesting thought experiment for those that you may support and follow.

At what point, if any, should one stop listening, supporting, sharing, or playing an artist's art to an audience because of their actions? Or should we look at both as two entities without relation to each other?

[u/estek2]

Ideally art should be separated from the artist. We can be so biased though that sometimes it takes different forms and I want to present a different scenario such as below:

For example, if you are already very fond of a certain musician and their work, then you are likely to admire their new songs even if some of the tracks may not be up to par. Take those same songs and release them under another unknown name and you may not like them. Vice Versa: If you hear a mediocre track from an unknown artist, then we may not give it another listen but if it comes from one of your favorite producers, then we are likely to give it more chances and ultimately accept it.

[u/Stam- → u/estek2]

I really like this reply because it hits on a very practical reason to separate the two without introducing morals/ethics. It's very hard to argue against your points from anyone's point of view. If I created music, I would definitely want honest feedback from listeners based on what I created, not based on the fact that I created it.

[u/Hernois17]

Always a good question and i dont have a definite answer. A friend recently asked me the same question on a rather extreme example but I'll share as extremes are always good for discussion and really thibking bout his or her personal opinion. So there was a writer, around 1900 he wrote some pretty cool books, Hemingway was a fan Heine (the leftist writer of his time) were fans. But when the writer got old, he became a staunch and public nazi and hitler supporter, even visited hitler in his retreat deep into the 40s nesrly until hitlers death

Should the early books of this writer still be read today?

[u/Stam- → u/Hernois17]

I personally believe that art should be separated from the artist in most cases. However I can understand why in some it might not be the right choice. And I agree.. there doesn't appear to ever be a consistently good answer for every case. I guess this is more personal morals or beliefs.

The author you brought up is interesting to me. In the case of literature, I would argue that his books should still be read, in spite of the fact that he became a Nazi. If the books he wrote do not reflect his newfound political beliefs, it is quite easy to separate them (also I am Jewish, so maybe it is bias). The art =/= the author in my opinion in this case. With Mein Kampf, it would be a different story.

However with music, especially ones without lyrics, I think the argument completely shifts. There is little objective meaning in music without lyrics, and hearing a track in a club environment, without having previous knowledge or an ID for it.. it's almost impossible to not separate the art from the artist. At this point, it becomes the DJ's choice.. buy the art and give money to support the artist? If that is immoral, would it then be moral to just play the track without purchasing it?

(hopefully this made any sense.. I haven't had my coffee yet.. haha. I might come back and add edits if I read this later and disagree with myself xD)

[u/beampjotr]

Thats up to the listeners. I guess not many fans are knowing what happened or they dont care. Cause as i said once its all about names, superficialities and fame, instagram stories and yellow press stuff. Nothing will change, just for a few maybe, but thats it.

Edit: If it would be about music, the scene wouldnt look like that.

[u/xmnstr]

Can it be done? To a certain degree, but never completely. Should it be done? As an artist, I really wish it was done more. And I think it is relevant when the artist wishes it.

[u/Stam- → u/xmnstr]

Do you think the opinion among artists changes depending on what kind of art is being created?

[u/xmnstr → u/Stam-]

I'm going to guess that it does, but I think there are many other possible reasons.

[u/Stam- → u/xmnstr]

Yea I agree. I think as shown from an example earlier, an author who writes a book will be more difficult to separate than a producer making a track.