Intelligence Squared Monsters and Masterpieces: Art in the Age of #MeToo
Nov 12, 2023
Claire Dederer, an insightful author and critic, delves into the messy intersection of art and morality. She examines whether we can still enjoy the works of artists who have committed serious misdeeds, igniting a conversation about the implications of cancel culture. Dederer reflects on the emotional complexity of these dilemmas and the need for future generations to confront the histories of controversial figures. With host Lisa Taddeo, they explore how the #MeToo movement reshapes our understanding of artistic value versus personal actions.
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The Inevitability of Knowledge
- We cannot avoid learning about artists' biographies, complicating our relationship with their art.
- This knowledge shapes how future generations will interact with art, as innocence is temporary.
Picasso Exhibit
- Dederer took her children to a Picasso exhibit with placards detailing his abusive treatment of women.
- An interviewer suggested a sanitized experience, but Dederer questioned the possibility and benefit of such innocence.
The Subjectivity of Art and Wrongdoing
- There's no objective measure for balancing an artist's greatness against their wrongdoings.
- Subjectivity plays a crucial role in valuing art and judging the severity of an artist's actions.
