Like the art but not its artist?
Recently, I received a link to a song that, by all accounts, was right in my wheelhouse based on my tastes and listening history. This presented a dilemma: It referred to an artist whom I had long ago put on a short list of people whose work I felt should be avoided because of their personal views or actions.
Turns out there is a very long list of cases that have the potential of presenting this dilemma of liking the art but avoiding enjoying it so as to avoid associating with the artist activities or point of view. Some of them are:
Caravaggio: His paintings like Amor Vincit Omnia are often viewed with a new, sinister dimension due to allegations he had sexual relations with his young models, yet his historical significance in art remains intact.
Roman Polanski: Despite being a convicted rapist, people who still appreciate and want to recognize his cinematic contribution point to films like Rosemary’s Baby and The Pianist
Orson Scott Card: Author of Ender’s Game is a controversial figure due to his outspoken homophobia and anti LGBT views, yet many readers still value his science fiction work.
Louis C.K., a well known comedian, admitted that sexual misconduct allegations made by five women were true, stating he wielded power irresponsibly and expressing deep remorse for the hurt caused to the women, his colleagues, and his family.
Woody Allen a comedian and film maker of Annie Hall, Manhattan, Midnight in Paris and many others, has consistently denied allegations that he sexually abused his adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow, when she was seven years old. The accusations emerged shortly after Allen’s romantic relationship with his other adopted daughter, Soon-Yi Previn, came to light. She is 35 years Allen’s junior.
Joss Whedon: The creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer faced accusations of toxic behavior on set, with some fans attempting to scrub his influence from the show’s legacy while others recognize the collaborative nature of the work.
Kanye West: Despite antisemitic behavior and other controversies, albums like My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy are still widely acknowledged as significant contributions to hip-hop.
Dave Chappelle: His stand-up specials often provoke debate regarding whether audiences should continue to support his comedy given his controversial statements.
David Crosby, the former member of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, faced backlash in 2022 not for his past actions, but for his rudeness toward a fan.
Donald Fagen joined forces with guitarist Walter Becker to form the infamously named Steely Dan. Fagen always rejected comparison with his personal views or morality (which some label as fascism) or any negative connotations associated with the band’s name. Additionally, lyrics of some of their songs, e.g. Hey Nineteen, are seen by some as objectionable.
Vladimir Nabokov wrote Lolita, a controversial novel about an older man’s obsession with a young girl. While the book itself is a literary masterpiece, its subject matter continues to provoke debate about whether it glorifies or critiques pedophilia.
Charles Dickens, despite his social advocacy in novels like Bleak House, treated his wife Catherine cruelly, casting her aside for a younger woman and attempting to institutionalize her.
Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, faced modern scrutiny over his photographs of young girls, though historians debate the appropriateness of these actions within Victorian context.
H.P. Lovecraft is renowned for his cosmic horror stories like The Call of Cthulhu, yet he held deeply racist views that occasionally surfaced in his work. Despite this, his influence on the horror genre remains undeniable.
Ernest Hemingway, author of classics like The Old Man and the Sea and A Farewell to Arms, was known for his bullying behavior, alcoholism, and misogynistic treatment of those around him, though his literary innovations are still celebrated.
Ezra Pound, a major modernist poet, was an outspoken fascist and supporter of Mussolini who broadcast pro-Axis propaganda during World War II. His literary contributions, including The Cantos, are still studied despite his political stance.
Rudyard Kipling, writer of The Jungle Book and Kim, expressed imperialist and racist views that are now widely criticized, though his storytelling prowess remains acknowledged.
Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) created beloved children’s books promoting tolerance, yet his early career included racist cartoons and imagery that have led to posthumous scrutiny of his legacy.
J.K. Rowling, creator of the Harry Potter series, faces ongoing criticism for her statements regarding transgender issues, leading many fans to struggle with supporting her work while disagreeing with her views.
Roald Dahl, author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda, has been posthumously criticized for antisemitic, racist, and sexist remarks made during his lifetime.
Pablo Neruda, a Nobel Prize-winning Chilean poet, confessed in his memoirs to raping a woman while serving as a consul, creating a stark contrast between his romantic poetry and his actions.
Bill Cosby is perhaps a difficult case for the largest group of fans. His case is frequently cited in discussions about consuming art by problematic creators; despite his conviction for sexual assault, many people still struggle with whether they can enjoy his stand-up comedy or The Cosby Show, which at the time put the black population in a positive light.
The Card and Cosby distinction
Some critics distinguish between these two type of cases:
The Cosby Problem refers to artists whose public persona was built on a facade of moral authority that was later exposed as false, making separation difficult.
In contrast, the Card Problem refers to artists whose problematic personal views are separate from their artistic output, allowing for a clearer distinction between the work and the creator.
Ultimately, the ability to separate art from artist is subjective and depends on the individual’s relationship with the work and the nature of the artist’s misconduct.
It is a personal choice on where one’s tipping point lies. It looks like for most people it doesn’t make one a bad person to like the work of an artists with controversial, or even criminal, opinions or behavior.
Four ways to handle the dilemma
Separation of the art’s persona and the artist: Lyrics, for example, often feature outré characters, criminals, and cynical narratives, leading view the song as a character or collective entity rather than a direct reflection of his own morality or life.
Most artist’s are reluctant to reveal a connection between their personal views or actions and their art: Allows listeners to engage with the music, presentation or artwork without needing (or being able) to know or approve of the individual.
Fan Consensus: Many listeners maintain that despite any personal controversies or the unsavory nature of some lyrical themes, the musical or writer’s craftsmanship and irony of the work remain distinct from the artists themselves, especially in the Card Line category. This persuades other fans and develops group consensus, eliminating the need for taking an individual stance.
Created for art’s sake: A lot of artists will claim their work should be seen as crafted as art for art’s sake, further enabling listeners to appreciate the art independently of the creator’s personal identity.