Lately, I have been thinking about whether or not it is possible to separate the art from the artist. Of course, this has been on my mind due to the recent arrest of the R&B singer R. Kelly, but I have wondered about this for years now. The obsession over Kodak Black within the Gainesville community is disturbing to me. Sure, he’s a Gator fan, but he also went to prison for sexual assault.
In this photo taken and released by the Chicago Police Dept., Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, R&B singer R. Kelly is photographed during booking at a police station in Chicago, Il. R. Kelly, the R&B star who has been trailed for decades by allegations that he violated underage girls and women and held some as virtual slaves, is due in court Saturday after being charged with aggravated sexual abuse involving four victims, including at least three between the ages of 13 and 17. (Chicago Police Dept. via AP)
R. Kelly has been accused of sexual assault for as long as I have known of him, meaning I heard him once in middle school, learned he was a sexual predator and immediately stopped listening to him. I try to avoid listening to or watching artists with abusive pasts. I am proud to say I could not name one Chris Brown or XXXtentacion song, and I don’t plan on ever listening to one. I don’t watch movies or shows with Kevin Spacey because he’s gross, and I have never even seen “House of Cards.” I don’t watch anything Woody Allen has directed. I stay away from Louis C.K.’s comedy. Albeit, I will say it’s difficult to avoid his few scenes in “Parks and Recreation.” Speaking of “Parks and Recreation,” the biggest issue I have come across with separating the art from the artist has come from this show. When allegations regarding Aziz Ansari broke headlines in early 2018, I did not know how to feel. “Parks and Rec” has been one of my favorite shows for a couple of years now, long before news of Ansari’s sexual misconduct. Since then, I have been conflicted on how to respond. If you have answers, let me know.
Literary critics have multiple theories regarding whether or not it is possible to separate the art from the artist. One theory, known as the New Criticism movement, stems from T.S. Eliot’s claim that true art is autonomous: If the artist was truly successful, then no traces of themselves could be seen in their art. However, I disagree with this proposal. Creating art, to me, is like breaking off a piece of your soul and showing it to the world. Art is the embodiment of the artist. Art is about baring your soul for the world to see.
Roland Barthes argued in 1967 that it doesn’t matter what the creator of the art does because the reader (or listener or watcher) holds all of the power in interpretation. Barthes believes that there was no universal or singular truth to art and that the reader and artist are co-creators. While the fact that the consumer of the art holds power in interpretation stands true, I disagree in that I still believe that the artist’s original intention matters and can taint his or her art.
A more modern theory admits it is impossible to divorce the art from the artist. This is the camp that I fall into, as I think it is important to understand who the artist is. By listening to their music, watching their movies or reading their books, we are promoting their art, allowing them to capitalize on something they do not deserve. R. Kelly, Chris Brown and Woody Allen, just to name a few, do not deserve the platforms they have achieved. R. Kelly deserves to be in prison, and I have no problem with music apps removing his songs. I also wish these apps would act similarly with other artists, regardless of whether or not they went to prison.
Let’s hold artists accountable and demand they treat people with common decency. Art is supposed to make life worthwhile. Think of how much better art could be if the people who created it actually cared about humanity.
Hannah Whitaker is a UF English sophomore. Her column normally appears on Mondays.
Musician R. Kelly leaves his Chicago studio Friday night, Feb. 22, 2019, on his way to surrender to police. R&B star Kelly was taken into custody after arriving Friday night at a Chicago police precinct, hours after authorities announced multiple charges of aggravated sexual abuse involving four victims, including at least three between the ages of 13 and 17. (Victor Hilitski/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
