Should we separate the art from alleged sexual abusers? | The Tylt
Kevin Spacey joins the list of alleged sexual predators being outed in Hollywood, with actor Anthony Rapp accusing Spacey of sexual assault when he was 14 years old. Spacey apologized for the alleged sexual assault, came out as gay and is now being criticized for linking homosexuality with sexual abuse of minors. Like R. Kelly's music or Woody Allen's movies, skeptics are debating if they should continue to watch Spacey in the acclaimed "House of Cards." Should we separate the art from abusers?

Bill Cosby, Bryan Singer, Casey Affleck, Nate Parker, R. Kelly, Woody Allen, Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein are just a few of the powerful men in Hollywood who have been outed in recent years as sexual predators in Hollywood. The conversation and actions on sexual assault of women in Hollywood and across society is arguably more mobilized than ever. Some of these men's careers continue to flourish, others have been dented. As the list of famous men being outed as sexual predators continues to grow, skeptics are debating if we should separate the art from these artists or boycott the art too.
Some skeptics argue if art has imitated real life. In the case of R. Kelly and Allen, their work reportedly details their sexual abuse. In the cases of Cosby or Parker, their best pieces of work aren't about them as artists. Many fans still argue "The Cosby Show" is a classic family sitcom which paved the way for other black family sitcoms, regardless of Cosby. And respecting a piece of art does not excuse Cosby's actions as an alleged sexual predator for decades. Cosby as a sexual abuser will hopefully be held accountable in other ways. Others argue the work is tainted and supporting the art is only enabling abusers. Still, some skeptics agree that these cases vary from artist to artist.
Indiewire asked different critics if art should be made separate from the abusers. Here's what a couple said:
Candice Frederick (@ReelTalker), Hello Beautiful, Birth.Movies.Death, The Mary SueI think this answer will vary from person to person, and I don’t necessarily think there is a wrong answer. For me, as hard as it is sometimes, I can separate the artist from his/her film. I do, however, think there is often a clear agenda an artist has when it comes to his/her work, which can influence the narrative they choose to present and their characterizations. But in the case of Weinstein and even Allen, the thought is always in the back of my head; What were the circumstances around the making the movie? What drew the actor to work with this person? But do I judge the film based off the filmmakers personal actions? No. Do I judge the filmmaker outside the film? Absolutely.
Christopher Llewellyn Reed (@chrisreedfilm), Hammer to Nail/Film Festival TodayThe simple answer to the question is that the art should speak for itself. It is never that simple, however. Am I able to watch films by Roman Polanski or Woody Allen without considering their makers’ deeply problematic histories? Perhaps some can; I cannot, though since I grew up appreciating Woody Allen before his own scandals erupted, I have a harder time dismissing his pre-1990s work than I do all of Polanski’s movies, since the experience of watching them was part of my growth as a cinephile. And therein lies part of the problem: it is very hard to disassociate oneself from past pleasant memories, even when they become tainted for the most legitimate of reasons. Witness the difficulties faced by accusers, not only of public figures but also within families, when they come forward. No one likes to be forced to change their mind about someone.
Some are struggling with whether or not to separate the art.
This is crazy. I know I usually like to separate the art from the artist but this is beyond awful.
— Ian Bulaclac (@Ian_Boolocklock) October 30, 2017
Conflicted about Kevin Spacey bc I still wanna watch what happens in the next season of House of Cards pic.twitter.com/noVQ3O3ryN
— Drake (@ventiswift) October 30, 2017
Critics are done hearing "separate the art from the artist." Boycotting the art of the artist can be an action to render sexual abusers powerless.
"but if we get rid of all the predators in Hollywood, we'd have to start over. Separate the art from the artist."
— Necrocardiogram (@GinnyLurcock) October 30, 2017
No. Not anymore.
Kevin Spacey didn't respond to a harassment allegation. He's tried to make a diversion away from the allegation.
— Leesah Sea (@LeesahSea) October 30, 2017
Critics have pointed that famous white men in Hollywood have gotten off the hook more with sexual assault. Casey Affleck won an Oscar in 2017 following sexual assault allegations. Nate Parker's film "The Birth of Nation" tanked in 2016, and his career is arguably over after rape allegations from the late '90s resurfaced.
Boycotting art is a complex situation for some people. But supporters believe if you boycott one sexual abuser, you should boycott them all—even if you originally liked the artist.
People always seem very willing to separate art from the artist when it comes to famous white men they like 🤔🤔🤔
— Spookmaster General (@3rdBabyRhoades) October 30, 2017
"Separate the art from the artist" can also help the sexual abuser still thrive.
This is why I cannot 'separate the art from the artist'. People that do this play a hand in helping people like Spacey flourish regardless.
— Tobi (@bobimono) October 30, 2017
Bottom line: rape culture is perpetuated by men. So men CALL OUT YOUR FRIENDS WHEN THEY SAY AND DO SHITTY THINGS. CHECK YOURSELF. STOP SUPPORTING ABUSERS. YOU CANT SEPARATE ART FROM ARTIST. USE YOUR SOCIAL CAPITAL TO HELP PEOPLE WHO CANT BE HEARD BE HEARD. JUST DO FUCKING BETTER!
— Briana (@britirado) October 16, 2017
You cannot separate the artist from the art because intention & identity is everything
— alima lee (@alima_lee) October 22, 2017
But in the case of Spacey, "HOC" fans argue his character Frank Underwood can be killed off the show—creating an interesting perspective on how to properly "separate the art" that you love from problematic artists.
Please Netflix don't cancel #HouseOfCards leave Claire as president. We deserve. Just kill Frank Underwood. He can choke.
— The Nerdy Panda (@Rimzzzeee) October 30, 2017
Some say the art is not the artist. The artist might be horrible, but if the art is good and has an impact then that's what it is.
Please separate an artist's work and who they are. Woody Allen is a despicable creep that makes unbelievably great films.
— JB Hathhorn (@JBizzle_MyNizzl) October 24, 2017
You have to separate art from its creator. You know the work, not the source.
— Ayishat A. Akanbi (@Ayishat_Akanbi) October 30, 2017