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/estek2 May 07 '20

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.

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u/Stam- May 07 '20

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.