Art that identifies with libertine ideals is almost always polarizing. It invites a constant debate regarding ethics, representation, and the responsibilities of the artist. Critics often argue about where the line should be drawn between artistic expression and social responsibility, while proponents argue that art's primary function is to challenge and disturb existing comforts.
It matters because we are living through an incredibly sterile era of wellness culture—the 5 AM morning routines, the green powders, the optimization of everything. In response, the human psyche craves decay. We miss the danger of the 1970s, the ennui of the 1990s. derek tanya young libertine