Julian Cope presents Head Heritage

I don't think the issue is whether someone is 'arty' or not - that's to miss the point - or even should bend their career as such in that direction. It's whether the move (progession if you like, it depends on your POV), comes across as being a natural evolution (I'd see Talk Talk as being like that meself) or something where the statement "This is now officially art! I am an ARTIST NOW!" is effectively guiding and feeding the process and becoming the be all and end all of the creative act or acts, regardless of the quality of the work. Clearly it effects how some of us buy into, or not, what he/she/they may be doing.