ARTISTS have been encouraged to be more aware of their surroundings and to create more apolitical content as artists have been known to be free and unapologetically expressive, especially on issues that are involving politics.
On Wednesday, several artists from different spheres of industry were gathered to converse on how they could achieve this and to also express some of the challenges that their fellow colleagues experience for their work.
In an interview with Standard Style, a political poet known as Sox the poet, said that there is a need for artists to do thorough research prior to their projects so that they avoid trouble as the information they publish could be weaponized against them.
“Thank you for the question. So I think one thing that is really important for artists is to take note of the importance of research,” Sox said.
“Knowing that everything that you are going to say can be used against you. And it can be quoted because whatever you say, whatever narrative you push or narrative that you work against, it represents what you believe and it represents exactly what you would have said.”
He also said research doesn't always mean you will be able. It's also talking to people, taking other people's views if you are to speak about them.
“So if you're talking whether on social issues, political issues, economic issues, you need to know exactly what you're saying,” Sox said.
“If you want to pass things off as facts, make sure that the facts coincide with what is happening.
“So if you want to talk on certain or sensitive conversations, make sure that you are fully armed to the teeth.”
Lyndah Sithole-Sibanda, a Bulawayo poet, known by her stage name Sonkomose, said it was necessary for the acknowledgement of the laws that every nation has and to follow them.
“It is important to acknowledge that ever ycounty has its own laws therefore artists may try by all means to abide,” said Sonkomose.
“As much as we need artistic freedom it is wise to be aware of the current rules, regulations and what the constitution states.”
Sonkomose encouraged fellow artists to be neutral and to respect people’s beliefs and to avoid unwanted trouble.
“And also for current affairs for example you may set a show at the theatre at 5:30pm yet a curfew of five has been set on that day and you find yourself on the other side of the law,” he said.
“Above all, artists are in business and may try by all means to be neutral when it comes to religious and political issues as they work with people of different beliefs and views.”