Love the art, hate the artist?

[Dark.Green.Feathers]

I mainly decide what music I listen to based on the content of the song itself. Though, there are a few artists I don’t listen to -outside of a song or two I’m emotionally attached to- because of deplorable things they’ve written into other songs, which make me uncomfortable. I don’t keep a social media or have tabs on artists in any capacity (other than music releases themselves); I don’t especially care for what they have to say about controversial lyrical decisions, I don’t take PR apologies from people I don’t know. I can decide myself how I feel about it and what I want to do.
I also don’t want to be sucked into a herd mentality where the general audience decide wether or not something is objectively offensive, and through that, what everyone should do/feel, and often hold artists of different genres to different standards. Feeling pressured to compromise on my moral compass isn’t what I want. I also don’t want to base my decision to not enjoy something anymore on fear of displeasing a crowd I don’t know.

Similar with movies and visual media. Can I still enjoy it despite the parts I disapprove of, or is the entire thing painted by these things, for me?

 

[Rose White]

I can’t drop Miles Davis’ music. I know he beat women. And his music the music he made with his group is evocative to me of beauty and freedom and curiosity and forward-thinking—all things I felt in college when I first listened to it. The music is an energetic being beyond him. Maybe. I think.

 

[Kitsune]

When I was a preteen, there was this artist/animator I was inspired by on an animation forum. I won't say she is famous but she definitely had a following. Her art style is like a combo of Tezuka's works and Hamtaro.

We were kind of friends. I can remember she one time got mad at me for not responding to her right away. I was naive at the time and didn't notice the red flags. We eventually added each other on DeviantArt when the forum shut down in 2012.

It's been a long time since I have used DeviantArt and chatted with said friend. I was curious on how she was doing so I've decided to DM her a few years ago. She hasn't responded which I am guessing she didn't remember me. That I can understand but what rubbed me the wrong way was she made a diary post about not wanting people to DM her and only chat to her on her Twitter account. It was made after I sent her that message.

Her actions were definitely unjustifiable in my eyes and I think that is what people call "not following your heroes." There is still a bit of influence of her style in my art style which often times it's hard to separate. But then again she was previously inspired by the aforementioned Japanese artist and anime I've mentioned so it's not like she made up the style on her own. That reminder helps me to see it that way.