Chalamet comes across as an entitled movie star, that’s a given. However, he may actually know more than the people online who are criticising him do, since his mother was a ballerina. In spite of this, Chalamet’s disparaging remark creates unneeded disruption within the artistic community, and suggests an implication that every artist is out for themselves. Now is definitely not the time to take unnecessary shots, when artificial intelligence threatens many art forms—except performance art like plays, operas, dances, and musicals.
Since the interview, the fine arts community has made itself known, contradicting Chalamet’s opinion. Here, we can clearly see that the arts aren’t dying, rather our (well, mainly Chalamet’s) perception of this is skewed. Just look at the Newcastle University Dance Club’s shows recently, where ballet is still performed, and presented as a major form of dance. Chalamet’s suggestion that no one cares about performing arts is not well grounded, as if truly no one cared these performances would no longer be held. The community is still rife and nowhere near dying.
Chalamet’s words present a lack of care and lack of want to understand the importance of protecting centuries-old traditions which are rich in history
Furthermore, through his statement, Chalamet suggests that we shouldn’t attempt to keep alive certain art forms if others are more popular, a ridiculous sentiment. Throughout art history has been targeted, but it hasn’t given up or allowed itself to be killed off—the first thing to be restricted under a dictatorship is always art, and people do not just stop creating it. Chalamet’s words present a lack of care and lack of want to understand the importance of protecting centuries-old traditions which are rich in history; it’s a bit like suggesting UNESCO should not exist to preserve historical sites.
Chalamet’s remark, while profoundly stupid, highlights the lack of belief in specific art forms—here, ballet and opera—a sentiment many people also harbour. Though, a positive of his insensitive comment did arise the active effort to promote ballet and opera and present the passionate community that is built into the foundations of these art forms, allowing for the recognition these artists deserve to be had. His comment presents an ignorance and disillusionment in the fine arts, and therefore continual advertisement, as is currently being seen, as well as a push to make the arts more accessible is very much needed.