Can you separate art from the artist ?

That is to say, can you appreciate art for its own sake, even if its artist is revealed to be despicable personally, for example, someone who was an excellent musician, actor ot producer but committed sexual assault, cheated on partners, was openly anti-Semitic or racist ?

If some ills are more acceptable to you than others, where do you draw the line ?

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softspokenman · M

@bijouxbroussard With the examples that you listed the first person that came to mind was Woody Allen. Anyone who is familiar with his life will understand. ❤️

LeopoldBloom · M

@softspokenman It depends on whether you believe the allegations or not. He was investigated by law enforcement and cleared.

softspokenman · M

@LeopoldBloom 👍 Yes.

bijouxbroussard · F

@LeopoldBloom There’s no question about his relationship with Soon Yi. That he subsequently married her doesn’t change the circumstances under which they got involved.

LeopoldBloom · M

@bijouxbroussard From what I've read, he didn't live with her when she was growing up and wasn't much of a father figure to her. I agree that his ex-partner's adopted daughter should have been off-limits, but there's a difference between gross and illegal. She was 21 when they began their relationship even if they (barely) knew each other previously.

I was referring to the accusation that he raped Dylan Farrow. After reading her description, I have no doubt that somebody raped her; I just don't think it was Allen.