Academic and artistic freedom are regarded worldwide as hallmarks of societies that mostly consider themselves democratic, or at least “enlightened” and cosmopolitan. Scholars and artists tend to see themselves as free-thinking and free-acting global citizens; however, how should we assess reality in light of the increase in "canceling" and "ghosting", both in the humanities and in the arts? The latest cultural studies and sociological literature are used in my research to shed light on the multifaceted nature of terms such as "cancel culture" and "political incorrectness", and this is followed by my analysis of categorized case studies of “canceling” based on recent instances in North America, Central Europe, and Japan, taking into account both political and social contexts. For example, the opera Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini was heavily criticized in the US because it was suspected of “cultural appropriation” due to its Japanese plot. In Japan, however, the opera is a crowd-puller and is promoted as particularly suitable for schoolchildren. Similar examples of contradictions and obstacles to freedom of expression can be found in the humanities. This study provides findings on the role of the scientific community, which can be seen as both part of the solution and the problem. As a result, this article draws a rational conclusion that should be understood neither as dystopian nor dogmatic, but rather as offering possible solutions to avoid polarization and one-sided narratives, thereby strengthening academic and democratic values.

Authors:
Barbara Dobretsberger, University of Music and Performing Arts Mozarteum Salzburg, Austria

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Barbara Dobretsberger is currently a Professor of Musicology based at Mozarteum University Salzburg, Austria. Her latest projects explore both the connection between music and language and intercultural phenomena in music.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Monday Schedule

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