THE QUESTION
“When you learn about highly regarded artists being accused of inappropriate sexual behavior, especially with minors, can you separate the artists from their art, or would you refuse to listen to, watch, or read the artists’ works?”
THE ANSWER
While tracing an absconding loan defaulter, we often assume that he must have defaulted on some other repayment too. Human behavior replicates itself in different fields – it is not easy to slice a soul into parts, and sprinkle the dust (I refrain from saying stardust) in different arenas.
Success in art leads to wealth, fame and power, and the erroneous assumption that they can have anything their corrupt mind craves. There is a desire to experiment with things they could not buy in early years of their life, and getting it gives a sense of power, victory over the world.
“I did it for the worst possible reason, because I could do it” is a notorious confession line now. They choose victims who are not strong enough to protest, and this reveals their own sense of inadequacy. They convince themselves that the woman is trading herself for all the fame and wealth they can bestow upon her, and stay happy in their blinkered existence. If the women were happy, #MeToo would never have reached the scale it did.
We need to separate their work into parts – technique, reputation, star value, repetition of earlier success, ability to hire talent, commercial sense, understanding of the market and see where does the so-called ‘greatness’ lies. I’m sure one would not find originality or sensitivity in the list. A performer who delivers nonsensical stuff and succeeds in tickling a bored and aimless segment of the population is also a runaway success, but is that ‘art’ in its truest sense?
I cannot separate the person from the performance, if it involves exploitation of others.
Creative Experiments and More 
I’ve stopped following several celebrities because of the taint of their exploitation of the vulnerable. Celebrity does not give one the right to hurt others!
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They need to see the celebrity status vanishing overnight. Like certain people in the entertainment industry have lost their work assignments.
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Well said .. I am glad some one else agrees to my thoughts too. I have been getting a lot of looks when I stop liking something from an artist who had a bad attitude / done bad things to others.
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I have unfollowed and stopped watching shows of several such beings.
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Well said Reena! Exactly my thoughts too!
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Thank you!
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Well written, Reena. I can not separate the artists from their misdeeds. Just because one has exceptional talent, or is in a powerful position or is wealthy doesn’t mean they don’t have to be law abiding.
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Thanks for agreeing! There are so few who do.
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That’s unfortunate.
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It’s impossible to separate a person who does evil things from their art. Because the art will always be coloured with the bad acts of the person.
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I agree.
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Very well explained the question.
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Thanks a lot!
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Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. You make some interesting and valid points.
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Thank you so much!
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Exactly my point too.
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Thank you, Sadje!
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Welcome
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