Taboo subjects in art and writing

Actually.... I don't try to avoid problems about those taboo things in my comic, I decided I was going to embrace them instead.
Sometimes drawing them very crudely, sometimes drawing them in a subtle manner.
I think it's necessary to show the different ugly faces of life in fictions (depends on the fictions in fact and how it is made). Because it exists and sometimes I think we can offer a certain thinking of things about it, the beginning of a way to deal with it.

Hmmm I don't really see it as taboo subjects. I think everything should be fair game. But more like there are taboo ways to present ideas/tell stories.

For example, you wouldn't put rape in a Children's board book.

But likewise you shouldn't put something super fluff into a deep heavy and important adult scene either.

I do not think, that any subject should be taboo for a comic, but these complicated topics need to be handled with care and research. To use the example of suicide:

Public report or depiction of suicide in mass media is known to have an effect on the public and it has been researched that an increase of follow up suicides can come from it. As a creator it is important to talk about uncomfortable subjects, if you feel equipped to do it. But it is also important to think about the potential harm and damage covering these issues can cause.

In the case of suicide there are guidelines to avoid these negative consequences, like not showing the method directly and things like that. I was super pissed when the show "13 reasons why" ignored nearly all of these guidelines in spite of having psychologists tell them, what to do.

If you include these potentially dangerous subjects in your work I would also advice to have a good reason to do so. It's nothing that should be used for just shock value, I think. You can also use your work to question these taboos (incest has been mentioned, which is an interesting topic to explore, I think).

TL;DR: Having dark stuff in your story can be super important, but you need to do your homework and be empathetic to those facing those issues irl! Yes, my comic does have some of those subjects. There is no way to avoid offending people, you will upset someone, just stay respectful and be open-minded to learning new things.

I personally really like darker topics, fiction should be able to cover any type ground, imo. I mean, what better way to explore your own emotions than within the controlled realm of a story? In the US taboo stuff runs along the lines of being (In my experience):

• Rape
• Abuse
• Certain mental illnesses
• Suicide
• Race
• Religion

Death/murder and nonsensical violence in media is more accepted, sometimes not even questioned, or even glorified. But man, if you add in one of the things I listed above, people get on your ass! I can see how some of these things can be touchy for a lot of people, as sad as it is rape and abuse hit really close to home for many folks, either being friends and family members of victims or victims themselves. My work did a survey not too long ago relating to this, out of the thousands of us 9 out of 10 was, or knows someone who was a victim of abuse and/or sexual assault. While exploring such topics in fiction can be cathartic for some, not everyone is alright with reliving the events.

Mental illness has classically been villainize, either used to make a character look stupid, insane, or evil. While we as a species are getting better, mental health still isn't given the best treatment. Anymore people like sweeping it under the rug, or using it as a cheap sympathy cash-in. (like how illnesses like cancer gets used as sympathy fodder) The subject is normally considered taboo because people just don't like talking or even thinking about it, mental health is a very personal, and most don't like making themselves that vulnerable to others. Even denying possibly seriously mental instabilities themselves.
My dad is a good example of this, he shows very obvious signs of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, but refuses to acknowledge or even discuss the possibility of him having any mental problems. Not just because he's a boomer, and was raised that it's bad, but because it's extremely uncomfortable. (and, you know, the disorder)
Also mental health is still treated like a joke for a lot of people who just can't wrap their heads around it. My mom used to think you only got help if you were "crazy", as she put it. When she learned my uncle sought help for anger issues, possibly brought on by depression, she learned to take it more seriously.

Religion? Well, the US being an Theist evangelical country, there's a lot of feelings surrounding the inclusion of it in fiction. It doesn't help that works including this subject are either chick tracts or horror fictions where religious people are depicted as dumb monsters, or calculating murderers... or how people on both sides of the fence just blow this up in the worst way possible.

Race? Yeah, if you've schooled yourself on US history you can probably guess why this subject is taboo.

Suicide is similar to the mental health thing. It's an uncomfortable subject to talk about, usually leaving friends and family confused, and distressed.

Communities such as most of Tumblr, and the queer community kinda demonize the use of taboo subjects. Like, the very existence of something problematic being a work of fiction about queer characters is unspeakable! I'm kind of a douchebag contrarian, so I love tackling dark subjects not only because it's my personal preference, but because I've been told not to do so. I feel like they need to be discussed more, so I don't just have darker topics in my comic, I made them a major focal point. I don't care if people like it or not.
I will say, though. Research is soooo important if your going to use something that is so subjectively experienced, and in need to be taken seriously. My story focuses on mental health, abuse, some queerphobia, and will be touching on sexual assault later on. Before starting my comic I talked to people willing to discuss their experiences, therapists and psychologists about the medical side as well as their encounters with people suffering from the issues I'm working with (The HIPPA friendly version, of course), I watched videos, read research papers. Knowing the technical and personal side is incredible important. Getting the opposing pov, and the psychology behind that mindset is helpful too!

Even now I'm always learning new things and experiences from people. Also there is no real way to avoid causing problems, even the most respectful works covering dark topics can be taken badly or be seen as edgelord trash.

Suicide is a cultural subject. In certain countries and religions it has been vilified because when you kill yourself, you take money away from those institutions. In other countries and religions it is acceptable, and in certain conditions expected. The indoctrination you received from your state and religion have formed your views on the subject. Most people never get past that indoctrination to form their own views.

I think it's fine to write about all the taboos. Art is a medium. Mediums all face censorship at one point or another. If people can't handle things then they can just choose not to read them.

An another note: Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire has a lot of that shit and people love it.

Okay, the fact of the matter is that you're going to offend somebody sooner or later with your work. Might as well just make the work you want to make and let it be judged for what it is rather than try to second-guess what other people may think. People launched a campaign to get the Teletubbies of all things banned, for crying out loud (It allegedly contained "pro-homosexual propaganda)!

Everybody has a right to be offended, and that's fine. Nobody has a right to not be offended or to demand that something that offends them is changed or destroyed.

I think there's two sides to this. To one side, I think a part of art is about pushing the envelope and exploring difficult topics. Sometimes it is a person exploring their own trauma, too, which deserves consideration. On the other hand, I think its appropriate to criticize any media that seems to promote insidious content, and I believe, particularly those creating media that reaches a large audience, there is absolutely a duty of consideration to the content created.

Like, I think Tapas' rules about hateful content and what not are very fair.

But the complications of these subjects is exactly why there are no hard and fast rules about what can be discussed.

I think it's less about condemning suicide, then just being sure not to glorify it. But exploring it honestly and with sensitivity is fine. I think "serious" can be subjective, because we're only going to want so many stories that are a really deep exploration of death, per say, but while a vampire story might come across as less serious, it could also be a way of broaching deep and difficult subjects from a different angle.

I'm not really sure what this is targeting? Cannibalism? Organ donors? Necrophilia? Just not sure the exact meaning. But one of my favorite shows was NBC Hannibal, so hey! Dead bodies! Also vampire stuff. Undead bodies~

Anything sexual is definitely more regulated in popular media, and sometimes to a ridiculous degree. This is another one where context would be hugely important to me. There are cases where creators include something like rape in a way thats very much "look how edgey and dark I am!". When, where, and how to include sexual violence in media will always be a sensitive subject, and it should be sensitive, but that doesn't mean people can't or shouldn't include or explore the topic.

On the bright side, indie media is much more able to tackle these topics, even if popular media isn't great with them.

Not so much insult, but I'm all for critique of these things. XD

Some. More so with future work. And I just plan to address it as thoughtfully and sensitively as possible. In some ways I don't feel equipped for that, but I think it's worth trying. And I do think its important to be sensitive to those creators (especially young ones!) who miss step with sensitive topics. People learn and grow over time, and we're all going to make mistakes and learn to change. A mob of hate for those that make mistakes is typically not a good or healthy way to create change. (though there might be cases where many people raising their voices loud is necessary for change, particularly in addressing someone in a position of power)

Everyone has the right to explore any topic, but they are not free from critique if they cross lines or promote harm in some way. It is both necessary to push limits and to create from a place of empathy. It is okay to make mistakes, but important to learn from them.

I found dark subjects work best when its more subtle. Like I was playing Lisa the Painful recently and they really don't show much when it comes to really intense stuff like sexual abuse or play it off as comedic which helps balance it out. A really good piece of work makes you think about it and comprehend it than be shocked and maybe even laugh.
1

I would hope we all automatically assume that this should all be done with intellectual honesty! I shouldn't have to clarify that making shit up to extend an agenda (such as using video games as a scapegoat instead of talking about gun control) is not okay. ;D

Depends? I believe in learning from mistakes, but I also believe a pattern of behavior might earn the stigma it gets. Authorial intent would matter to me here, as well as the history of the person, and their likely future behavior. But I'm also for giving the benefit of the doubt, etc etc. I'd rather people try and fail on a sensitive topic then never try, because that's how people improve! ^^

rape and incest i guess

these are the only topics that i rarely engage in art or conversations

unless they start the topic then i go for it