It’s not impossible to separate the art from the artist

Caroline Lozano/ Assistant Opinion Director

The past few weeks have shown a darker side to the entertainment industry than what’s typically revealed to us through our television screens.

From Harvey Weinstein to Louis C.K., the incidents, along with reactions from the public, prove that celebrities are not excused from their crimes, regardless of how well-known or respected they are in the industry — as it should be.

However, as a result of these events, the art created by these entertainers suffers as it becomes tarnished for many people, including fans, making it hard to enjoy a film or comedy special the way they used to.

There’s an idea pervading among former fans that watching anything involving actors, directors and comedians who’ve committed crimes or held controversial beliefs is directly supporting or excusing their actions or views.

This same idea persists with those who refuse to appreciate the works of renowned literary figures and painters who’ve committed heinous acts or espoused bigoted beliefs — something I find to be ridiculous.

If your favorite artist has done or said something wrong, you don’t immediately become a terrible person if you decide to continue enjoying their work. While it may be difficult for many people to release judgment — and that’s understandable, it is entirely possible to separate and evaluate the art from the men and women who create it.

Now, I’m not trying to make excuses for the actions or views of these artists. The actions or views of an artists should not be excused just because you’ve been a long time fan of their work. Artists, regardless of branch or talent, should be held accountable for the impact their crimes or bigotry may have on society — the exposure happening in Hollywood, for instance, is something I support wholeheartedly.

It must be understood, however, that both wonderful and terrible people can make art that speaks to the souls of others and inspires them in ways nothing else can.

The celebrated German composer, Richard Wagner is one such example. While he wrote magnificent compositions of music, his blatant anti-semitism was inexcusable. As Jay Parini writes from his blog in the New York Times, his bigoted views have nothing to do with how good of a composer he was. For Parini, the value of Wagner’s music does not diminish.

There are numerous other examples throughout history of flawed individuals who were great artists and whose works are still appreciated because of their work’s significance to society.

Any one of your favorite authors, actors, writers, and musicians, even ones today, could be harbouring beliefs or committed acts that you might find horrible, but you would never find out unless they told you personally.

This doesn’t automatically mean that you should stop enjoying books, movies, music, and so on. You can still admire an artist’s work and their historical or personal significance without agreeing with their views or justifying their crimes.

DISCLAIMER:

The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of Panther Press Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.

Photo by Eric TERRADE on Unsplash.