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I feel people forget that these musicians are artist and regardless if you like the content of every painting it is still their right to paint a picture with any subject they choose no matter how offensive or moving. Like Eminem /Rhianna‘s song “I Like The Way It Hurts,” some people feel they miss the mark on this so when it come to responsibility to there impressionable young fans(specifically Rhianna after her Chris Brown beatdown). Regardless of that situation, what they sing/rap about in this song is REAL…. regardless of the immaturity or destructive nature of the relationship…. it is a real relationship out there just like that one….I have been in one unfortunately. Just because Precious was so graphic and horrific doesnt mean that the story should not have been told regardless of some impressionable teens. When people become artist they dont sign on to be parent or role models….yes that comes with the terrority but that is a expectation not and requirement. I hold them accountable for there action in there real life not the art itself. For example, Im mad about Lindsay Lohan doing drugs in her own life but I dont mind if she choose a role playin a drugs addict. I think is disgusting that this beautiful talented woman is throwing you life away and disgarding a career that girls move to LA for everyday. She comes from being a child star so her fan based was a lot of young kids. Its easier for a parent to explain Lindsay being and actress playing a racy adult role that them explaining why Lindsay is going to jail and using cocaine in real life.
You’re right, but you have to remember that critique isn’t censorship. Like that whole Ticked Off _ With Knives fiasco- no one went out and got every single copy ever made, including the original, and burnt it. No one killed anyone who had ever seen it. People who really want to can still watch it- nothing’s stopping them. Nothing’s stopping Luna from making a movie that people would object to even more. And, know what, I don’t see the difference between someone making a painting or movie or song that expresses their feelings and someone expressing their feelings about that painting or movie or song. Some people feel that artists need to be better role models, some people feel that that’s ruining art, so they watch different movies and listen to different songs and appreciate different art.
Parents (note, the parents of the child/ren in question- not random bystanders who have no children of their own but throw out “the children” when they have no arguments) do have a right to shield their kids from things if they want to. If they think their kid is more effected by what role a person plays or what songs a person writes thant hat person’s life off stage, that’s their business. Hell, I heard of a parent who hated Lilo & Stitch for showing that parents can die and traumatizing their precious, delicate angel. But Disney is still making movies where a parent is dead (in Finding Nemo, it practically happens on screen).
I have yet to hear about criticism stifling self expression. If an artist truly wants to create- they will no matter what anyone says. Even when it’s illegal, as is the case with most graffiti, people still get their art in their preferred media out there no matter who says it’s horrible trash that never should have been made.