NP: Pussy Riot and other artists

[kelber at mindspring.com]

A propos of our recent artists under repression discussion:

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/08/201281610563073589.html

http://freemuse.org/sw1298.asp

Musicians, painters, writers, filmmakers and other artists have been a focal point of repression around the world and throughout history.  Often, the actual artistic merit of their work (judged by critics, popularity, historians or other subjective criteria)is irrelevant.  There's an absurd sensitivity to even the most veiled jabs by artists on the part of oppressors.  Psychologically, it must go back to fear of taunting in childhood, and the subliminally-fueled adult response is brutal.  The point I was making a few days back is that the presence of repression fosters direction and movement in artists.  Would these artists be better off living in freedom?  Of course.  But their art might not be so pointed, or so edgy.

Laura