What is the artist's role in today's society, especially in the United States after Sept. 11 and now the war with Iraq?
I don't know and it seems to me that many artists don't really know either.
Art can be political, social, economical, environmental, personal or all of the above, but what can artists do in a time when nothing about the future is certain?
While watching the 75th Annual Academy Awards, the most widely recognized awards ceremony on Earth, I was soon consumed by the thought of whether any of the artists being honored would speak out about the war, especially with the backlash that occurred after lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, Natalie Maines, spoke her mind about President Bush.
Maines said during a concert in London, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas," the Dixie Chicks' home state. The Chicks arrived back in the states as stations and hordes of fans from Texas started boycotting their music.
Maines publicly apologized to President Bush.
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"As a concerned American citizen, I apologize to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful," she said. "I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect."
But even after her apology, the fans continued to boycott their music. Should more artists speak out about the war, or is it a lost cause? Why are the more influential artists not speaking out against the war? They fear alienating the audience, the fans and those who support art and artists.
To be living in a country that allows everyone to speak their mind and peacefully assemble in protest, but not make a peep about the war is a crime -- whether you support it or not.
I believe at this time in history, an influential artist should say something, anything about the war, even if it alienates the fans.
The reason for an artist's success is their fans. The reason for making art is to inspire, inform and hopefully open the minds of those who have closed themselves off to new ideas. Art should be an expression of individuality.
Art should not be an in-your-face protest. When an artist beats an idea into people's heads and verbally attacks someone or something, it only turns people against the idea or make them rethink their support for that idea. Tactful expression is most effective.
Filmmaker Michael Moore, winner of the best-documentary Oscar for "Bowling for Columbine," blatantly expressed his opinion of President Bush and the war during his award speech. He and his fellow documentary nominees stood on stage, in solidarity. "Because we like non-fiction and we are living in fictitious times," Moore said. "We live in a time where we have a man who's sending us to war for fictitious reasons."
His bold opposition was met with a loud mix of booing and cheering from the Oscar audience.
Where attacks don't work, a strong positive opinion does. Adrien Brody, winner of best-actor Oscar for his portrayal of composer Wladyslaw Szpilman in "The Pianist," had only a hopeful political statement to make in his acceptance speech.
"My experience making this film made me very aware of the sadness and the dehumanization of people in times of war and the repercussions of war," Brody said. "And whether you believe in God or Allah, may he watch over you. Let's pray for a peaceful and swift resolution."
More notable artists, made even smaller statements about the war. Susan Sarandon, an Oscar winner and a usually very vocal opponent of the war, made a rather small, but obvious statement, by holding her hand up with a peace sign as she entered the stage to present an award.
Nicole Kidman, winner of best actress Oscar for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in "The Hours," spoke to why the awards were necessary in these times.
"Why do you come to the Academy Awards when the world is in such turmoil?" Kidman said. "Because art is important. And because you believe in what you do and you want to honor that, and it is a tradition that needs to be upheld."
But whether you're a starving artist or a celebrity artist or just have an opinion, having something to say is very important and could influence even the narrowest of minds.
So, say what you want to say. Whether or not people agree with you, get angry with you or thank you shouldn't matter.
