Controversy = Art
Aug 28 '00 (Updated Jan 11 '02)
The Bottom Line A rant is a rant is a rant. Free expression has its rewards but also its responsibilities. Think about it.
My somewhat convoluted (I have a point) soapbox rant follows:
Interesting that in the way the topic is worded, that the emphasis is placed on the artist rather than the companies that deliver their product or work.
In our current state of Pop Culture, it is now advisable to be controversial. Controversy = $$$ for many artists. The more controversial you are as an artist, the more rewards you will accumulate. Controversy = Art. Remember that Andres Serrano's "P*ss-Christ" got more attention as a controversy than it did as a work of art.
The same is true for the singers, musicians, rappers, and rap-rockers of today. They receive inordinate monetary rewards in conjunction with how offensive they can be. The worse their lyrics are, the more rewards they receive from the companies and consumers they serve and target. Well, it certainly appears to be that way [I may be showing my age].
We can only blame ourselves. A band is rewarded depending on two forces active in the marketplace: commercialism and controversy. If you're commercial (Teeny Pop perhaps) you'll be rewarded. If you are controversial (think the Eminem guy) you make even more moolah.
And that's part of the problem. In our culture today, whether you are considered successful or not, it all depends on $$$. We have lost the ability to look at art and artistic expression as a thing in and of itself, with a merit outside of the monetary rewards bestowed on it. Our rampant commercialism/materialism gene has divided everything down to the common denominator of money.
I am not advocating censorship of artists. However, artists or corporations that encourage controversy should not protest when they encounter people who disagree loudly to their art or product. For that reaction (good or bad) is what freedom of expression is all about.
Is it censorship to say to an artist "I will not put out your record or hang your art in my gallery because it offends me?"
Possibly. But I believe strongly that free expression is still free. You can express yourself in this country. Getting paid for it is another thing entirely.
I admit that the problem I have with this ideal (freedom of expression) concerns whether or not an artist wants their artistic expression to be distributed to the masses.
Personally, if I believe art can exist on it's own merits, I tend to think of it as art. If it cannot find an audience without a consumer/marketing/media force behind it, I tend to think of it as product.
When an artist is trying to make $$$ off their art, I tend to view it in commercial terms, as commercial art or as commercial speech.
As consumers we have a right to say NO and not buy something. And, as parents, we absolutely have a right, as guardians of our children, to not allow offensive materials into our homes.
So in effect, parents can use their free expression to reject that of the artist/corporation they oppose. I believe everybody wins in our society when all opinions can be heard. All voices can have access and all people can use their voices.
And in a round about way, I've come to believe that this is decidedly what freedom of expression is all about. My advice to people offended by art or product is to use their right to free expression. Those in the opposing camp should do the same.
Change the channel. Read a book. Pay music loud. Write a letter. Vote. Boycott. Cheer. Rant. Rave. Educate your children.
Freedom of expression demands a dialogue.
Freedom of expression demands a vigorous exchange of ideas, whether you agree or not.
Freedom of expression is not about conformity.
It is a celebration of individualism.
Think about your rights to freely express yourself, whether here on a web site or somewhere else, through some other means.
This is a democracy built on personal freedoms. We're allowed to think in America. How many people in other countries can? Is this a great country or what?
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MiDoyle
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Member: Michael Doyle
Location: Morris County, NJ
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About Me:
Schadenfreude is worth living for.
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