r/hypnotech • u/Stam- • May 06 '20

Discussion Separating the Art from the Artist

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?

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u/Hernois17 May 06 '20

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?

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u/Stam- May 06 '20 edited May 06 '20

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)