The case of legendary pop artist Peter Max has been making headlines recently, with allegations that his caretakers have been drugging him and even expressing a desire for him to die sooner. These claims have been made by Max’s daughter, Libra Max, who is fighting to end the conservatorship that has been placed on her father, in which court-appointed guardians have control over all aspects of his life.
The situation is reminiscent of the former ongoing legal battle faced by pop icon Britney Spears, whose conservatorship sparked outrage and calls for reform in the legal system. In both cases, individuals who have achieved great success and fame in their careers have been stripped of their rights and are being controlled by others who have been given power over their lives.
In the case of Peter Max, his daughter Libra has been fighting to free him from the guardianship that has been in place since 2016, when the court ruled that he needed protection from alleged physical, mental, and emotional abuse by his then-wife Mary. Mary died by suicide in 2019, just before Barbara Lissner took over as one of Peter’s guardians. Since then, Peter has been kept isolated in his home, with family and friends denied access to him.
According to court papers filed by Libra and Peter’s friends, Lissner has kept Peter locked up in his home, with his cellphone taken away and the locks changed. When family and friends have been allowed to see him on FaceTime, he appears to be sedated, and his health has been on the decline.
Peter’s friend of more than 20 years, Tacee Webb, has also filed an affidavit alleging that Elizabeth Adinolfi, the court-appointed attorney representing Peter, expressed a desire for him to die sooner rather than later. This shocking revelation has led to calls for Adinolfi to be removed from Peter’s life and for an investigation to be launched.
It is important to note that Peter Max suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, which has undoubtedly made him more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. However, the fact that he is a successful and wealthy artist has likely made him a target for those who would seek to take advantage of him.
The case of Peter Max highlights the need for greater protections for vulnerable adults, especially those who have achieved great success and amassed significant wealth, like in Britney Spears’ case. It is crucial that individuals are allowed to retain their rights and make their own decisions about their lives, even as they age or become ill.
The conservatorship system in the United States has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years, with many calling for reforms to ensure that it is not used as a tool of abuse or exploitation. The case of Britney Spears has brought this issue to the forefront, but it is important to remember that there are many others who are also suffering under similar circumstances.
Comparing the former Britney Spears conservatorship to the Peter Max one, there are some similarities and differences to consider. One similarity is that both conservatorships involve a famous individual who is no longer able to make decisions for themselves. In the case of Britney Spears, her conservatorship began in 2008 after a very public breakdown. In the case of Peter Max, his family initiated a conservatorship in 2019 after they claimed that he was suffering from dementia and was being exploited by his agents.
In both cases, family members played a key role in initiating the conservatorship and determining who would be appointed as the conservator. One major difference between Max and Spears’ conservatorships, is the level of public scrutiny and attention that the Britney Spears conservatorship had received. While conservatorships are not uncommon in the United States, the Britney Spears case sparked a widespread conversation about the use and abuse of conservatorships, particularly in cases where the individual may not actually need one.
Another key difference was the duration of the conservatorship. Britney Spears’ conservatorship had been in place for over a decade, and there were concerns that it has continued for far longer than necessary. In contrast, the conservatorship of Peter Max was initiated in 2019 and ended less than two years later, after a judge ruled that Max was capable of making his own decisions.
It is also worth noting that the circumstances of the two conservatorships are quite different. Britney Spears’ conservatorship was initiated after a very public mental health crisis, while Peter Max’s conservatorship was initiated by his family members who were concerned about his ability to manage his own affairs due to his declining cognitive function.
The Britney Spears case has brought the issue of conservatorship abuse to the forefront of public consciousness, and has highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the conservatorship process. Whether or not the lessons learned from the Britney Spears case will lead to significant reforms in the way conservatorships are used and regulated remains to be seen.
While both visual art and music can be considered forms of artistic expression, there is a significant difference in the way they are consumed by the general public and the way they reach people which explains why Britney Spears was given more attention in her conservatorship compared to Peter Max. Music has a universal appeal and is accessible to almost everyone. People can listen to music while they work, travel, exercise, or even while they relax at home. Music is widely available on the internet, on the radio, and on various streaming platforms.
In contrast, visual art is not as easily accessible to the masses. Art galleries and museums may be limited in their reach, and not everyone has the opportunity to visit them. Additionally, while people can enjoy music without any prior knowledge or training, some people may feel intimidated by art and feel that they don’t have the required knowledge or understanding to fully appreciate it.
This difference in accessibility and appeal is reflected in the way that the media covers artists from different mediums. While music artists may receive widespread media attention and coverage, visual artists often struggle to gain the same level of recognition. Music is inherently more marketable and easier to promote. Record labels can use radio airplay, concerts, and other events to promote their artists. This widespread promotion means that even niche genres and lesser-known artists can reach a significant audience.
Also, some may see visual art as more niche and not as widely marketable. It can be more challenging for visual artists to find the same level of promotion and coverage. These differences in accessibility and media coverage are reflected in the cases of Britney Spears and Peter Max. While Britney Spears is a globally famous pop star, Peter Max is a visual artist who is known for his psychedelic and visual pop art. Even though Max is a highly successful artist who has exhibited his work in prestigious galleries and museums around the world, his conservatorship received comparatively less media attention than Spears’ case.
Another reason for this could be the wider appeal of music compared to visual art. Britney Spears’ music has a broad fan base and her personal life has always been a subject of public interest. Additionally, her case was particularly unique and controversial, given the circumstances surrounding her conservatorship. In contrast, the complexities of the art world and the legal proceedings surrounding Peter Max’s conservatorship may not have been as relatable to the general public.
Also to take in consideration is the way that media outlets prioritize their coverage. The media is a business, and news organizations have to make decisions about what stories will generate the most clicks and views. While Spears’ case was extensively covered by mainstream media, Max’s case may not have been seen as newsworthy enough to warrant the same level of attention.
The case of Britney Spears and Peter Max illustrate the different ways that artists from different mediums can be impacted by conservatorship. While both cases have similarities in terms of issues of control and autonomy, the differences in their level of media coverage can be attributed to the accessibility and marketability of music compared to visual art. This serves as a reminder of the importance of media coverage and attention in amplifying and bringing to light important issues faced by individuals in the arts and entertainment industry.
Now that Britney Spears’ conservatorship has ended, it is unclear what the future holds for Peter Max and his family, but it is clear that his situation is deeply concerning and must be addressed. The legal system must ensure that individuals are not stripped of their basic human rights without just cause and that the rights and well-being of vulnerable adults are protected.
The case of Peter Max is a stark reminder of the importance of protecting the rights of vulnerable adults, especially those who have achieved great success and amassed significant wealth. The conservatorship system must be reformed to ensure that it is not used as a tool of abuse or exploitation, and individuals must be allowed to retain their own control and make their own decisions about their lives. We must continue to advocate for reform and fight against the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
