Drawing the Line: What to Do with the Work of Immoral Artists from Museums to the Movies

The public has turned an alert and critical eye upon the once-hidden lives of previously cherished entertainers, prompting questions about whether it is possible to disentangle the deeply unsettled feelings we have toward an artist from how we respond to the art they produced. Erich Hatala Matthes argues that the lives of artists can play an important role in shaping our moral and aesthetic relationship to the artworks that we love and that these same artworks offer us powerful resources for grappling with the immorality of their creators. We should engage with art made by those who have been canceled, shamed, called out, or even arrested thoughtfully and learn from the complexity it forces us to confront.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 24 March 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Woody Allen, Kevin Spacey, Dave Chappelle, Louis C. K., J.K. Rowling, Michael Jackson, and Roseanne Barr are just a few of the popular artists who have been the subject of recent revelations about their misdeeds, objectionable views, and, in some cases, crimes. These revelations have been spurred in part by the #metoo movement, which has given the public greater access to the once-hidden lives of previously cherished entertainers. As consumers of art, and especially as fans, we are faced with a host of tricky moral questions: do the moral lives of artists affect the aesthetic quality of their work? Is it morally permissible for us to engage with or enjoy that work? Should immoral artists and their work be canceled? Most importantly, can we separate an artist from their art?

In his book, Drawing the Line, Erich Hatala Matthes employs the tools of philosophy to offer insight and clarity to the ethical questions that dog us. He argues that it doesn't matter whether we can separate the art from the artist, because we shouldn't. While some dismiss the lives of artists as if they are irrelevant to the artist's work, and others instrumentalize artwork, treating it as nothing more than a political tool, Matthes argues that both the lives of artists can play an important role in shaping our moral and aesthetic relationship to the artworks that we love, and that these same artworks offer us power.

One of the key arguments that Matthes makes is that our moral and aesthetic relationship to art is deeply intertwined. He argues that our understanding of an artwork's meaning and value is influenced by the artist's life and experiences, as well as by the social and cultural context in which the artwork was created. For example, Matthes notes that the controversy surrounding Woody Allen's films in the wake of the #metoo movement has led many people to question whether it is still possible to enjoy his work. However, Matthes argues that it is important to consider the context in which Allen's films were created and to recognize that they often explore complex themes of love, relationships, and morality.

Similarly, Matthes discusses the case of Louis C. K., who was accused of sexual misconduct by several women. While some people have canceled their subscriptions to his comedy shows and stopped supporting his work, Matthes argues that it is important to consider the context in which C. K.'s misconduct occurred and to recognize that his comedy often explores themes of vulnerability, honesty, and self-discovery.

Matthes also challenges the idea that art should be canceled or boycotted as a form of protest. He argues that this approach is not only ineffective but also harmful to the artist and to the broader cultural community. Instead, Matthes suggests that we should engage with art critically and thoughtfully, and that we should consider the complexities and nuances of the artist's life and work.

Drawing the Line is a thought-provoking and challenging book that offers valuable insights into the ethical questions that surround our relationship with art. Whether you are a fan of Woody Allen, Louis C. K., or any other artist who has faced controversy, this book will help you to think more critically about the art that you love and the artists who create it.

Dimension: 178 x 127 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197537572