Can you separate an artist and his/her art?

[wooh]

Just saw some of the latest Mel Gibson drama, and since he went crazy, Braveheart has gone from one of my favorite movies to one I just cannot watch.
I've never really understood the allure of Woody Allen, but after the whole weird thing with his pseudo-stepdaughter, I wouldn't be able to watch his movies anyway.
Same thing with Roman Polanski, just want to stay as far away from anything "him" as possible.
But then I think, there are songs that I really like even though I can't stand the artist that recorded them.
Making it DFish, there are dancers that I just can't stand watching them dance, just because I don't like them as people. And if I didn't know them or about them, I might be able to enjoy the dancing.
So I wonder, is it strange to not be able to separate an artist from their creations? Is it a good thing? A bad thing?
Opinions? Random thoughts?

 

[Gorme]

Of course you can separate an artist from their work. When you listen to a piece of music or look at a picture, there's a chance that the identity of the artist is unknown to you. Yet, you still enjoy their work.

If you suddenly discover the identity of the artist and found some things that do not agree with you, does that change the fact that their work is enjoyable? No, the work itself is still beautiful despite the artist's flaws.

 

[bordertangoman]

Well that answers that then. :lol:

 

[fascination]

I can apppreciate someone's skill regardless of their character...but I won't, in any way, put money in their pocket if I can help it....and yes, their skill is diminished for me...not eliminated, but diminished.

 

[Joe]

Do you like Michael Jackson's music?

 

[fascination]

some...and some of my enjoyment of it is lessened by all of the dysfuntion that he struggled with...I don't know about his innocence or guilt...he was found innocent...and mercifully, since most of his music that I own was purchased decades ago, that part of it is irrelevant for me.

 

[ireniecat]

I can apppreciate someone's skill regardless of their character...but I won't, in any way put money in their pocket if I can help it....and yes, their skill is diminished for me...not eliminated, but diminished

I feel this way as well. Of course it depends on having a prior opinion on the person's character. Because of this, particularly in regards to ballroom, I try not to form judgments solely based on stories or rumors.

As for skill being diminished... well, I tend to criticize more harshly or lightly depending on the person's character. If I know the person to be of good character, I will look for more to appreciate. And the reverse.

 

[danceronice]

Hm. I suppose so. I can appreciate "Triumph of the Will" and "Olympia" as amazing films for their time, much less by a woman filmmaker of the day (aside: though considering his inexplicable mass appeal to them, perhaps only a German woman could have made "Triumph..."), despite the subject matter and political message. And if I limited my film and television viewing to things produced or headlined by people of whom I personally approve...well, it would be a really limited library. I try to minimize 'financial aid' to those I find genuinely reprehensible, though.