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The Nature of the Beast
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Question #2: Separating art from the artist
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Jan 06, 2016 09:31AM
In Chapter 4, several Three Pines residents discuss the play by serial killer John Fleming. They debate whether it's right for them to pull out of acting in the play because they abhor its author. "You're an artist," Reine-Marie says to Clara. "Do you think a work should be judged by its creator? Or should it stand on its own?" What is your opinion?
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This is a tough issue, and I feel I have to tread very carefully here, as I am a librarian. It also says in the novel that it's really about choice ... and when phrased this way, it becomes an easier issue for me to deal with. I am definitely on the side of choice here. As a collections librarian, I would likely purchase this work (i.e., a play written by a serial killer) for the library collection, as there would undoubtedly be interest in it, esp. if it was favourably reviewed. Would I personally want to read it? I would probably choose not to.In the case of Louise Penny's detective, he knows more about the playwright than his neighbours do. And he understandably has strong feelings about *not* promoting the man's artistic work.
I thought it very interesting that the Ruth character chose to bury the manuscript rather than burn it...this reflects my own attitude quite well.
I can think of one real-life example of a murderer turned writer, namely Anne Perry who, as a teenage girl, participated in the murder of her friend's mother ... and despite this violent past has made a successful career as a mystery writer. I must say though I have never read one of her books, probably because of my own inner turmoil over her personal history.
Mod
Two other examples come to mind. I used to be a loyal listener of Jian Ghomeshi on CBC Radio's Q. I bought a copy of his book which he signed for me. Given the recent crime allegations against him, I have such mixed feelings about that book sitting on my shelf. I haven't yet decided what to do with it.
Bill Cosby is another example. I have always enjoyed his comedy and his television show. I watched the show as an adult and encouraged my children to watch it. We enjoyed many laughs together as a family. But now I can't bear to watch the show or his stand-up routines, and I feel a sense of loss because of that. Right now, I can't separate my feelings for the actor from his act.
I am usually firmly in the anti-censorship camp when it comes to art and literature, and that people should be free to judge the opinions and expressions of others. As an audience member watching the play, I would likely find that I had enough distance to be somewhat more impartial and judge it on its merits as a piece of creative expression. I can understand the struggle of the cast though, as acting in the play would be a far more immersive experience. To some extent the actors are becoming part of the work and thus part of the creator’s vision. That relationship and direct link to the creator are somewhat ignored in asking this question, since it’s not simply a question of judging the work rather than the creator.
Susan wrote: "I didn't know about Anne Perry's past, Allison. Very interesting. I think the reaction of the villagers to John Fleming's play is very understandable. It reminded me of serial killer Paul Bernardo...."Good examples, Susan. Despite what Ghomeshi has done, he was an exceptionally gifted host/interviewer. I may no longer be a fan, but this fact would be difficult to dispute. Since the allegations against him surfaced, I have re-watched his famous interview with Billy Bob Thornton, whom I now believe must've heard industry rumblings about Ghomeshi: for it seems evident he must've despised him from not just the beginning of the interview. Feelings aside, Ghomeshi handled the situation of a difficult interviewee so well.
As for Bill Cosby, he had a good show a long time ago, that as you say is now tainted. It would be hard for anyone to see the humour of this performing artist without also thinking about his crimes. I'm totally in agreement with you.
Julia wrote: "I am usually firmly in the anti-censorship camp when it comes to art and literature, and that people should be free to judge the opinions and expressions of others. As an audience member watching t..."Good point about the actors being closer to the creator, Julia. I agree that the experience would be more immersive and complicated: they would after all be directly helping to promote the play, especially if they performed well in their roles and so did the play (and playwright) justice.
I feel similarly to you all regarding Cosby, Bernardo, and Ghomeshi.I was an avid reader of Anne Perry though when I learned of her past. It did not stop me reading her later books but over time I just stopped reading them.
I know that I would never read or watch anything by or about Bernardo and agree that though very talented, Cosby and Ghomeshi are now tainted by their actions.
I'm pretty good at keeping the artist and their work separate for the most part. The characters and the ideas presented to do not necessarily speak for the writer themselves so it's important to keep that distinction in mind. I read a book recently called The Acolytewhere the author wrote a note at the end apologizing for how horrible everyone in the novel was and not to think he believed any of it or enjoyed writing it.
Like Julia said, it would be quite different being asked to act in it or have some sort of active part in it aside from watching it or reading it. I'm not sure how I'd feel about that part of it.
It's also interesting to note how different it is when you 'witness' the downfall of people like Jian Ghomeshi and Bill Cosby. There are other creative people whose works we study, read, or perform who have less than savory reputations. We occasionally have discussions about historical figures when something gets posthumously published or a challenge is made but is it harder when it's a current (and well loved) celebrity?
Mod
Susan wrote: "I didn't know about Anne Perry's past, Allison. Very interesting. I think the reaction of the villagers to John Fleming's play is very understandable. It reminded me of serial killer Paul Bernardo...."I share your viewpoint about everyone's right to speak / write ... and I also feel strongly about my right NOT to listen / read to something which would validate the author. Interestingly, Paul Bernardo came to mind when I thought how to answer this question also. Bill Cosby was another good example. I still listen to Q on the CBC, but if Jian Gomeshi wrote a book, I wouldn't put profits in his pocket by purchasing it. (Sounds harsh when I reread this, as if I don't believe people can change. There might be exceptions but I stand by my freedom to choose.)
Mod
I don't think what you wrote is harsh, Susan - just honest. I have thought about whether I would read a future book by Ghomeshi, as I was a huge fan of his. Depending on the outcome of his trial, I think a book about his experiences is a possibility. He was working on a book when he was arrested - not sure about the status of that book deal. I'll try to keep an open mind about reading anything by him in future, depending on the circumstances.
Susan wrote: "Susan wrote: "Susan wrote: "I didn't know about Anne Perry's past, Allison. Very interesting. I think the reaction of the villagers to John Fleming's play is very understandable. It reminded me of ..."Hmmm...while he might have been a great interviewer, a great writer he is not. I'm afraid that I could not even get through 50 pages of his memoir 1982.
