Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Who's got the rights?

The Ecstasy of Influence and the Molotov man articles were very interesting. I found myself agreeing with everyone’s point-of-view. I found it interesting how music is more of an “open source” for sharing, and how everyone gets so touchy with images and especially films. It’s cool how Burrough’s is mentioned. I never realized he cut and pasted from other artists. I have only briefly read bits of the Naked Lunch but it seems odd that such a highly acclaimed artist would borrow like that. I guess to a certain extent it has turned into a sort of homage. Like we see in films today and like we hear in music. Certain riffs and chords are similar, especially in blues music.
I loved the two perspectives of the Molotov man. Joy’s perspective holds a lot of clout. I mean, the photographer does not hold that moment in her hand just because she took the picture. And, just because she took the picture can she sue Joy for trying to re-create it in a different context. However, from Sue’s point-of-view she took an important picture that holds important meaning for the Nicaraguan people. She doesn’t want that image she holds dear to be exploited. But, if you look at it from en entirely different perspective maybe the exploitation of this image has shed new light on the original intention of the photograph. What I’m saying is, I would not have known the history behind this photograph if Joy had not recreated it in the first place.
Going back to the other article, we live in a world saturated with pop culture. It’s true, we know the fabrications before we see the real thing. Disturbia (knock off of Hitchcock’s Rear Window) is a prime example. Cheap imitations to sell a product, that’s all we get. Producers are never going to take a chance if they can make more money with a superhero flick. How does this apply to 6x1? 6x1 not only teaches use to incorporate non-conventional ways of creating art through film, but it also expands our minds as far as creativity. It takes a lot today to be original. I think this is the gist of the article. Not only is it ok to make a homage but it’s ok to steal, it’s good but at the same time we need to stay genuine and original so we don’t ruin something that is good.

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