What makes art, art? What makes art objectionable? If considered obscene, is it still art? And what of the artists? Are they still artists if the public regards their work as without merit? There is a whole lot to examine when delving into the world of controversial art, and Daisy Dixon takes it head on in her book “Depraved: The Story of Dangerous Art.”
Dixon is a prize-winning philosopher with a PhD from the University of Cambridge. She specializes in the philosophy of art – particularly immoral and dangerous art that entrenches structural injustice. To this end, “Depraved” does an excellent job of breaking down what can make art problematic by introducing us to “The Hydra.” According to Dixon, “Art can be depraved in five ways. First, many artworks explicitly show immoral states of affairs such as gratuitous violence or obscene scenarios. Second, an artwork may somehow cause a person to do something terrible. Third, an artwork may express dangerous messages in how it invites us to think and feel about something. Fourth, sometimes works of art are created by immoral artists. Lastly, the way an artwork has been created may be morally suspect.”
The Hydra analogy works magnificently as Dixon addresses each of its heads with intelligence and nuance. “Depraved”, and its Hydra, explore music, literature, video games, art, and even a bit of film. Within its pages you’ll find thoughtful discussion of Marquis de Sade, Brett Bailey’s “Exhibit B”, drill music, Pablo Picasso, Leni Riefenstahl’s “Triumph of the Will”, Norwegian black metal band Venom, the video game “Custer’s Revenge”, Paul Gauguin, Cardi B’ “WAP”, Damien Hirst’s “The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living”, Adolph Hitler, and much, much more.
To call “Depraved: The Story of Dangerous Art” by Daisy Dixon thought provoking is an understatement. This book challenged me to look at artists, and their art, in whole new ways. I find myself litigating and relitigating my thoughts and feelings about art. Dixon’s work stays with you in the best way possible.
“Depraved” is scheduled for an August release.
You can pre-order a copy here. (This is an affiliate link to my Bookshop, which supports independent bookstores throughout the United States. If you use this link to purchase the book, I will make a small commission at no additional cost to you.)
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