On the impossibility of separating art from artist
(WorldNews Music)

Hip-hop artist R. Kelly performs in Chicago in 2012. (Courtesy of The Chicago Tribune) There is perhaps no story repeated more often in the annals of pop culture than that of the brilliant artist who is revealed to be a vile person. The only phenomenon that could possibly rival it in sheer pervasiveness is the chorus of voices that respond to any accusation of serious wrongdoing by an artist with the rejoinder that we must `separate the art from the artist.` Whether it´s being used to defend Caravaggio, Woody Allen or Nate Parker, the idea that we must not abandon works of art solely because of the misdeeds of their creators is a popular one. It´s an appealing concept - I wish I was able to...