Remixing
Kembrew McLeod and Rudolf Kuenzli's book Cutting across Media: Appropriation Art, Interventionist Collage, and Copyright Law opens up with a debate inducing quote from Igor Stravinsky: "A good composer doesn't imitate, he steals."
This quote is presented in a positive light. They assert that this is a widely accepted sentiment among the art community, and many art movements have been the result of this kind of approprition. The book is a compilation of chapters that promote appropriation as an acceptable tactic for creating new meaning, and it encourages remixing even if it is in conflict with copyright and ownership laws. While its a romantic notion that art exists in a collective space from which other artists can freely draw inspiration and contribute inspirational fodder for future artists, the promotion of "art theft" with little attention paid to issues of power and oppression is irresponsible. Its very possible that this idea simply benefits groups in power and gives them more room to take ideas from groups with less access to audiences and legal protection.
Similiarly, in Owen Gallagher's chapter in the Participatory Cultures Handbook, "The Assault on Creative Culture," argues that the concept of property ownership cannot be applied to works of intellectual property. He argues that copyright laws discourage creativity by punishing artists for using the culture around them to make new work. Gallagher's argument could easily be used to try to justify the exploitation of native cultures artwork or make it seem like a nonissue. An example of this can be seen in the "remixing" of Native American designer Bethany Yellowtail's work by London based designer KTZ. Pictured above.
This quote is presented in a positive light. They assert that this is a widely accepted sentiment among the art community, and many art movements have been the result of this kind of approprition. The book is a compilation of chapters that promote appropriation as an acceptable tactic for creating new meaning, and it encourages remixing even if it is in conflict with copyright and ownership laws. While its a romantic notion that art exists in a collective space from which other artists can freely draw inspiration and contribute inspirational fodder for future artists, the promotion of "art theft" with little attention paid to issues of power and oppression is irresponsible. Its very possible that this idea simply benefits groups in power and gives them more room to take ideas from groups with less access to audiences and legal protection.
Similiarly, in Owen Gallagher's chapter in the Participatory Cultures Handbook, "The Assault on Creative Culture," argues that the concept of property ownership cannot be applied to works of intellectual property. He argues that copyright laws discourage creativity by punishing artists for using the culture around them to make new work. Gallagher's argument could easily be used to try to justify the exploitation of native cultures artwork or make it seem like a nonissue. An example of this can be seen in the "remixing" of Native American designer Bethany Yellowtail's work by London based designer KTZ. Pictured above.
"Obviously creative people get inspired by the symbols and designs of other people, but it's not just about being inspired."
- Kim TallBear Native American Activist
- Kim TallBear Native American Activist