Can you morally separate the art from the artist?

[cdstefi]

A certain infamous and very nasty exploitative pervert (Ian Watkins) met a probably grubby and nasty end today (killed in prison), probably at the hands of people almost as grubby and nasty as himself.

His band's music was cancelled years ago, I haven't heard a single lostprophets song on the radio since forever. They were a fucking great band until he pissed on their legacy with his vile acts.

Eric Gill's art is incredible. If you've ever walked around Westminster Cathedral and seen his Stations Of The Cross you'd know. I'm not even Catholic but the simplicity and exquisite art in the shapes of those square stone slabs moved me beyond all expectations. But also, by all accounts a foul excuse for a human being.

Do you think a creator's personal lack of any redeeming qualities negates everything they've done and deems it worthy of cancellation from the record of artistic achievement?

I wrestle with it ethically, particularly with Gill. Would I want to see his works completely expunged from the artistic record? Or even his elegant, timeless typefaces? No. And would I want to forget that lostprophets ever made great songs like Town Called Hypocrisy or Everyday Combat? I don't think so. But it's bloody hard appreciating the art when you know the context.

Ethics are hard.

 

[Not Normal]

It is difficult. Some of my favorites have done very terrible things. Sometimes, knowing they were in the throes of addiction helps me to get past the things they've done outside of their creative processes.

 

[LMWM321]

A great post @cdstefi

I had a similar thought a few weeks ago when I heard The Rolling Stones "Stray Cat Blues". The snarl and growl of Keiths guitar playing is among the best in R&R; the riffs and hooks of the song are simply spectacular.

But the lyrics? Holy shit, they're fucking awful. Though I had heard the song many times I never listened closely enough to understand that it's about seducing (very!) underaged groupies.

Sort of like the question you pose, I wondered if it's enough to never listen to the song again, or should I swear off The Rolling Stones forever?

Still not sure what I'll do.

 

[cdstefi]

A great post @cdstefi

I had a similar thought a few weeks ago when I heard The Rolling Stones "Stray Cat Blues". The snarl and growl of Keiths guitar playing is among the best in R&R; the riffs and hooks of the song are simply spectacular.

But the lyrics? Holy shit, they're fucking awful. Though I had heard the song many times I never realized that it's about seducing (very!) underaged groupies.

Sort of like the question you pose, I wondered if it's enough to never listen to the song again, or should I swear off The Rolling Stones forever?

Still not sure what I'll do.

Thanks. I'm struggling with loving the music (listened back to some last night and it still rocks like an absolute bastard even though there's definite hints of almost moral self-justification in the lyrics to A Town Called Hypocrisy).