- Appropriation refers to the practice
of borrowing images, words, and design
to communicate an idea.
Why is this not plain old stealing?
In the world of music, this is sampling.
For example, Rihanna's using Michael Jackson's
"Want to Be Startin' Something."
It would be theft if she were to record
the entire Michael Jackson song and claim she wrote it.
But using a section that everyone recognizes
is a comment and connection to the Jackson song.
She is not pretending to be the author.
Here's a great example of an image
appropriated by other artists and designers.
Edouard Manet created this painting in 1863.
When exhibited, it was controversial and shocking.
There has been nudity in art for thousands of years,
but the figures are typically gods and goddesses
or mythical characters.
Here, Manet presents a real woman, nude,
next to two seated men.
That is the controversy.
In 1863 Paris, you shouldn't paint real nude women.
Over a century later,
the band Bow Wow Wow appropriated the Manet painting
and recreated it for their album cover.
The goal is to send a signal to those who recognize it
that the band is just as controversial as Manet.
If the viewer knows the image
from his or her art history class,
they will undoubtedly feel smart as they get the connection.
If the viewer doesn't make the connection,
the image still works as a shocking depiction
of a nude woman and two clothed men.
The Manet painting has been appropriated repeatedly
due to its recognizable forms and reputation.
The audience's recognition
of the original's place in art history
is pivotal for understanding.
The work is more of an homage to the Manet,
recontextualizing its controversy and history.
None of these are attempting to trick the audience
and take ownership of the original.
In the world of design, the same rules apply.
If I recreate the packaging for Wonder Bread
and claim I designed it,
I would be lying and stealing.
But by appropriating it as a cultural symbol
and adding it to other elements,
I am making a comment.
I am not intending to claim I designed
the original packaging design.
The communication of all-American and bland white bread
only works with the cultural connection
and understanding of Wonder Bread
as a symbol for 1950s America.
Appropriation is not an easy concept to understand.
It's blurry, and exists in a gray area.
It works well if the association to the original
is apparent and clear,
but it moves into the territory of plagiarism
if the intent is to attempt
to pass off the associated original as one's own design.