I had a conversation with someone close to me about "separating art from the artist"…

He had an interesting perspective.

He was saying that even if he had been convinced that Michael Jackson was guilty of wrongdoing, enjoying his music after his death would not be the same as listening while he was still alive—none of the money spent now would be contributing to his personal comfort.

"So you don’t have to boycott Wagner, "he continued, "even though he was said to be a miserable human being. Nothing you spend to see or listen to his music performed is going into his pockets now."

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SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

The Australian artist Rolf Harris was a hugely popular entertainer on childrens TV in the UK from the 1970s until the 1990s. He inspired millions of children (including me) to be bold and adventurous in visual art. Towards the end of his life he was prosecuted and jailed for child sexual offences against friends of his daughter. Whatever my feelings about his crimes, I can't simply "unlike" art that is intrinsic to my soul.

Waveney · 41-45, M

@SunshineGirl he was an extremely talented man and so well liked. It’s a really difficult situation you find yourself in.

0uijaFinger

Degas Ballerina - She was a child who was told to pose mostly naked for form, for hours on end, for a great artist.

Makes you see the sculpture and his work differently after knowing that.

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

@0uijaFinger Perhaps a little different to the Jackson analogy. Here the production of the piece of art may have depended upon objectionable behaviour in a way that Jackson's music did not obviously.

0uijaFinger

@SunshineGirl perhaps

Longpatrol · 31-35, M

I saw an interesting photo of reddit of a rather shell shocked child, half naked sitting on Michael's lap in his bedroom.

No the man was a fucking creep and while I enjoyed his music, it will always be tainted by the monster he was.

Pretzel · 70-79, M

I see both takes as valid.

I have artists that I can't abide and their personality/crimes taint their work for me.

But I can watch Errol Flynn movies - even though he had sex with underage females. Or really any artist - as many are entititled and insufferable - it's just that if they are alive - or only recently deceased the taint is there for me.

Who know's MJ's work was very good - and it may stand that test of time. Is so, then there's no harm or foul.

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