Program asks should we separate art from the artist?

On Thursday, May 3, Elgin Community College will host "Should We Separate Art from the Artist?," a discussion examining society's role in holding musicians accountable for their actions.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the college's Spartan Auditorium in Building G of 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

Nationally respected rock critics and hosts of WBEZ Chicago's "Sound Opinions," Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot, will explore listeners' rights and responsibilities in enjoying art from artists who engage in morally troubling behavior as they shed light on whether fans do, or should, separate art from the artist.

"Since the fall of 2017, the #MeToo movement has shined a spotlight on sexual harassment and assault in many aspects of American culture, including Hollywood, media and politics - where powerful men have fallen rapidly," said Michael Nejman, agent for DeRogatis and Kot.

"But the music world lags behind in terms of cultural awakening. Chris Brown is once again at the top of the charts; R. Kelly's career thrives despite decades of allegations; and there is a long, troubling history of groupie culture stretching from Elvis to Led Zeppelin to the present," Nejman said.

"During the event, we hope to examine why music has been immune to #MeToo and our roles and responsibilities as listeners."

The event is sponsored by the ECC Humanities Center.

The Humanities Center encourages and fosters an understanding of the central importance of the humanities in all areas of academic and creative inquiry within a framework of diversity, global and international perspectives.

The center sponsors three ongoing forums of inquiry at the college, including a Speakers Series, where special guests of international, national and regional importance speak on topics significant to the humanities; Socrates Café, a biweekly philosophical discussion series; and an International Film Series.

Members of the community are encouraged to attend.

For a list of Humanities Center events, visit ecchumanities.org.

Previous speakers include: "Media Literacy in the Age of Fake News" with Julie Smith, an adjunct professor of communications and journalism at Webster University, on Sept. 19; "The Importance of Being Funny" with Al Gini, professor of business ethics at the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University Chicago and resident philosopher at WBEZ in Chicago, Oct. 17; and "Baking π" with Dr. Eugenia Cheng, scientist in residence at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago on Feb. 13, 2019.