Homework 5

• What are your standards for yourself when you decide something is worth "stealing" or appropriating?

Appropriating something for me means that I must alternate the original piece into something with an entirely new perspective/meaning because that's the only way I'd feel comfortable doing so.

• How do you think this text relates to the idea of postmodernism?

I think the first two chapters relate to postmodernism because it stresses recycling ideas and putting perspective on old art.

• Is the idea of "nothing being original" indeed depressing? Or is it freeing? Why or why not?

I think that the idea of 'nothing being original' is freeing because it takes the inventive weight off artist's shoulders. It's comforting to know that artists feel this way because I know I'm not nearly as creative.

• What is the difference between creative hoarding and creative collecting?

Hoarders collect indiscriminately, artists collect things that they love selectively.

• What does Marcel Duchamp mean when he says that he doesn't believe in art, but he believes in artists?

Duchamp means to say that you should consume the genealogy of your most admired artist/writer/activist. You'll be much more fulfilled by studying individuals and who inspired them, and who inspired the individuals that inspired them than trying to digest the history of artists.

• Who are Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe? How do you think they "faked it until they made it"? Do you think it worked for them?

Patti Smith is a musician and Robert Mapplethorpe is a photographer. Apparently, they assumed different identities by dressing up and pretending to be something other than they were to the point where other strangers were convinced. Considering they both achieved a celebrity status of sorts, I would say it worked out pretty well for them.

• What's the difference between "practice" versus "plagiarism"?

Plagiarism is trying to pass someone else's work off as your own practicing copying is about taking something to interpret it as you see fit.

• What's the difference between imitation vs. emulation?

Imitation is about copying and emulation is when imitation goes one step further to break into your own creation.

Who is one of your creative thinker "heroes" that you gravitate towards? Give us the name of one person, then start a small genealogy tree - who are three of their creative thinker heroes?
Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay, is one of my favorite musicians. He says the band and himself are largely influenced by Travis, U2 and Radiohead.

How do you think what Kleon says is relatable directly to you and your chosen major? How can you apply what he is saying to your own field of interest?
When it comes to communications, I understand how emulation and creative collecting can benefit my work and legacy. However, it's a very sensitive subject in communications to appropriate anybody's work. It seems to be a large part of my education revolves around how NOT to take other people's work. Obviously I have to practice and learn from other people in my field at some point, but I definitely think the circumstances are different here.