Artists tackle ten existential questions
Robert Wyatt’s album “Comicopera” (Domino), the latest in a career spanning five decades, is released on 8 October.
1 Does art make a difference?
I think the fact that, wherever they are, humans always generate some kind of art means that art must be rooted in function. I feel that artists reflect, even participate in, rather than initiate, real changes. But it is difficult even to find clear definitions of the terms used in this question: if language itself is an art form, then clearly it is a crucial tool in human development.
2 Should politics and art mix?
Shakespeare, Beethoven and Picasso were all politically engaged in their way. Artists may wish to sidestep or transcend politics, but their political environment is a part of who they are.
3 Is your work for the many or for the few?
In my case, making music is how I earn a living. I’m just so grateful to whoever likes it. Not much I can do about it, either way!
4 If you were world leader, what would be your first law?
Make international law consistent. For example, powerful countries should not be allowed to shield their citizens from war crimes tribunals.
5 Who would be your top advisers?
Noam and Naomi (Chomsky and Klein), Susan George, Harold Pinter, Jonathan Miller, Amanda Sebestyen, Gareth Peirce, Desmond Tutu, John Le Carré, Billy Bragg, Arundhati Roy, Monty Don, David Attenborough, Victoria Brittain, Tony Benn, Edward Herman, Bird and Fortune. Naturally I’d want a kitchen cabinet, including Brian Eno, Mark Thomas and her indoors, the queen of shebop, Alfie Benge.
6 What, if anything, would you censor?
Censorship tends to strengthen the moral status of its victims, and backfires. Consider the ludicrously inflated status of Salman Rushdie.
7 If you had to banish one public figure, who would it be?
Banishment (like censorship and, of course, torture) is likely to be counterproductive in the long run. Nelson Mandela didn’t banish Gatsha Buthelezi – he gave him a job.
8 What are the rules that you live by?
Mere aspirations, of course, but here goes: 1) To make my fun as harmless as feasible. 2) Only say things about people that I’d say to their faces. 3) Before even speaking I ask myself, “Why am I about to do this?”
9 Do you love your country?
Much as I love Marmite on toast washed down with a nice cuppa tea, I could not sincerely swear allegiance to the Queen. I do, however, pay my taxes without evasion.
10 Are we all doomed?
You mean, are we all going to die? Given the evidence, it does seem so, yes. Sorry, Cliff.
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