DEBATE CLUB #9: Cancel Culture : To cancel or not to cancel (in Art), that is the question!

As we no longer want to condone the behavior of certain artists (writers, painters, musicians, actors, etc.), we find ourselves wondering if it's still OK to consider, show, or even love their artistic production. Should we separate the Man from the Artist, or consider the Arts open to all expressions, without limitations to what's allowed? Come to tonight’s Debate Club and give your opinion on this very hot subject!

VENEZ NOUS REJOINDRE POUR PARLER DE CE THÈME ! 

C'est l'occasion rêvée pour pratiquer votre anglais dans une ambiance détendue. Animées par des professeurs qualifiés de langue maternelle anglaise, les séances de conversation du Debate Club sont conviviales, engageantes et efficaces !

VENUE & TEACHERS

• AIX: 19h00 to 20h30 with Bettina Bouanich
• MARSEILLE: 19h00 to 20h30 with Nick Mackenzie

QUESTIONS FOR DEBATE

When do you think the phenomenon of “cancel culture” started?

As art is linked to its creator by definition, do you think it's at all possible to separate the artist from his/her work?

Have you ever experienced this "divorce" from a work of art you once loved, after you found out about the artist's reprehensible behavior?

Do you think cancelling is a valid action?

Do you think this has become a trend, and that it is going too far?

Should we let any art production be, "as is", and let the public form their own opinions, likes and dislikes?

What about truly shocking writings, for example (Céline, Voyage au Bout de la Nuit) which openly call to hatred and racism?

What about songs by Noir Désir, whose lead singer killed Marie Trintignant?

What, in your opinion, are the limits of what is acceptable in Art ( if you believe there are limits)?

Who is an artist (and his/her work) you don't want to keep an interest in, after finding out what values they stand up for?

What measures could be taken to keep Art a free domain, whilst avoiding hateful propaganda or promoting impunity?

VOCABULARY

activism

backlash

boycott

censorship

contextualize (v.)

controversy

edited versions

explained context

feminism

freedom of expression

impunity

offensive

outrage

racial sensitivities

trend

woke

wokeism

SEARCH THE WEB FOR IDEAS!

Find articles and/or videos on the web and come prepared to share the information you have found with the others.

SUGGESTED SEARCH WORDS FOR THIS SUBJECT

cancelling art

what is acceptable in art

what is cancel culture

SUGGESTED WEBSITES FOR MATERIALS

https://www.bbc.co.uk/
https://www.youtube.com/?gl=GB
www.guardian.co.uk
www.independent.co.uk
www.nytimes.com

‘Me Too’ Global Movement - What is the ‘Me Too” Movement

Cancel culture | Pros, Cons, Debate, Arguments, Social Media, Internet, & Cancel | Britannica

Cancel Culture: The Art vs. The Artist | HuffPost Entertainment

How Artists Have Responded to the Me Too Movement - Art Journal

KEY PHRASES

For general phrases for debates, CLICK HERE