In her timely new book, Depraved: The Story of Dangerous Art, philosopher Daisy Dixon examines some of the most controversial artworks ever created. She probes how an artist's character influences their work and the harmful effects such creations can have on society. The book covers a wide range of media, from classical paintings to video games, and even includes a discussion of pornography.
The Five Forms of Depravity
According to Dixon, art can be depraved in five ways: depicting an immoral state of affairs, causing someone to do something bad, expressing a dangerous message, being created by an immoral artist, or being made in a morally suspect manner. She argues that good intentions do not excuse depravity. For example, in 2017, Dana Schutz's painting of Emmett Till's mutilated body at the Whitney Biennial sparked protests. Schutz intended to express white remorse, but many saw it as appropriation of black pain. Dixon writes, "Artistic speech can become depraved even when it is expressed in good faith."
Historical and Contemporary Examples
Dixon analyzes Titian's The Rape of Europa, a 16th-century painting showing the princess being abducted by Jupiter in the form of a bull. She asks, "What is wrong with this beautiful picture?" and answers that it eroticizes sexual violence, suggesting that "'No' does not count as genuine refusal." The book also references more extreme works, such as performance art involving live goldfish being pulverized in blenders and a film depicting child sexual abuse. The video game Rape Day is mentioned as an example that needs no explanation.
Art's Influence on Morality
Dixon explores how art can alter moral compasses. She notes that ancient writers claimed the first Greek sculpture of a naked woman was so lifelike that a man attempted to have sex with it and then threw himself off a cliff in shame. She also cites the case of Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, who murdered five children and were avid readers of the Marquis de Sade's works. In the 1990s, Marilyn Manson was accused of corrupting youth.
Confronting Depraved Art
Dixon believes depraved art should not be hidden away but confronted "loudly, angrily, beautifully." She argues that the remedy is "better speech. Better art. Better curation." The book is published by Faber at £20.
