"Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don't bother concealing your thievery--celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: 'It's not where you take things from -- it's where you take them to." ~ Jim Jarmusch
The photos are irrelevant to the quote... Just curious how this one strikes you...
blessings ~ tanna
15 comments:
hmmm. i have no issues with copycats or 'borrowing' as long as you give credit to where you found it. if it's a copied craft or something, that's a little looser. but quotes, photos and such are very specific and should be noted as 'sourced'.
I definitely believe in the phrase "there is nothing new" I am not so sure about "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" The first is true I think because things come and go with times and fashions, tastes and a million other things and we take inspiration and ideas from here and there and build on them and chances are, yes, someone else might do or might already have done the same thing or similar. That is just the way it goes. Copying - stealing - that is just not on as far as I am concerned! That is what imitation is I think! xx
There's a lot in that quote to think about and comment on. I do believe that in the arts and crafts, originality is really mostly inspiration and the tweaking of earlier ideas. Hard work, passion and commitment go without saying. However, I see that as individual inspiration. If I love a designer's pattern or a musician's latest CD, it is definitely stealing, in my opinion, to share that with someone. Those artists deserve to make whatever money they are asking for if you want their work. I'm a strong supporter of hard-working, poorly paid artists in many disciplines. I never hesitate to use artists' ideas when I create something, but I definitely give credit where credit is due.
I think it's great to be inspired, but I'm uneasy with unlimited borrowing. The line between inspiring and stealing can be pretty thin.
I guess my ideas are always birthed from another place. If I have knowledge of a quote, a piece of art, a photo, or anything for that matter . . . I need to be responsible to acknowledge "the author". Is there then . . . anything Original . . . Surely there is. Mona Lisa, a Van Gogh, a piece of music, pottery . . . ideas surround us always . . . and they enter into ORIGINAL possibilities.
Hmmmmmmm. This is an interesting quote, Tanna! My husband often marvels that music can be so original even through it is all made up with a limited amount of musical notes and scales. I think we can all be influenced by all we see and feel in life but also we can remain original and not have to copy others.
I do love your photos--cemetery angels are always so expressive! I took so many photos of the same when I lived in Brooklyn and volunteered at a historic cemetery.
Have a very Happy & Healthy New Year!
oops--sorry for the duplicate comment! I had trouble leaving my comment and thought it did not go through--please delete one!
oops. sorry. don't like the word 'steal' and all it implies. taking illegally. taking without giving credit where credit is due. i think there is a reason copyright is in place----and jail for those thieves!!!
but, in a more general sense, we all do 'steal' ideas and images and dreams.....i like to call this inspiration and i'm all for being inspired by everyone and everything around me!!! (does this make me a thief??!!?? EEP!!!)
Well the pictures are great, but the quote is pretty interesting and a bit "out there." I understand the sentiment and I think you borrow for personal use (I say borrow not steal :-) but in today's world you could sure get in trouble stealing something on the internet and reproducing it without permission. I do love the sentiment of devouring things that speak to my soul and "its where you take them to"--but I wonder what he really meant by all of this. Hmmm, I agree with the other "hmmms."
I get the gist of it, but I don't like the wording. We borrow ideas and we are inspired by others, but stealing has a bad connotation (unless you steal someone's heart ... that's quite different). Authenticity is defined as the truthfulness of origins (giving credit where credit is due); truthfulness of attributes (honesty is the best policy); truthfulness of commitments (you give your all to what you are doing); truthfulness of sincerity (you act in good faith); truthfulness of devotion (you act with purpose); and truthfulness of intentions (commitment to a goal). Words are powerful and we should use them wisely. :) Best wishes, Tammy
Well, this quote is certainly a conversation starter... *smile**.
I think Jim is pretty out there anyway. I'd never call him a conservative, and myself being a conservative, it's only natural that I politely disagree with his sentiments.
Stealing is an interesting word for him to chose to use.
Makes one wonder just how he comes up with his ideas?
What do you think of the quote??
~K.
I agree. There is nothing new under the sun. I think sometimes we give ourselves too much credit when we make something and claim it to be ours. Only God can create from nothing, and anything we do create comes from Him anyway. I love being inspired through others work. Even the Masters would first learn how to paint by copying the artist before them.
Very thought provoking. I think the use of the word "steal" was perhaps a little hostile "poke" at someone or several someones. Inspiration & a personal take on that single source or a combination of sources what we see or hear that touches us in some way. Many have drawn or painted from the old masters while in front of them. Many sell their work as patterns with materials to make an exact copy. While I prefer to do my own take on things, I realize there are those who do not either feel capable of that or just love what they are coping just so much & want to be a part of it. Stealing would be to make an exact copy & try to pass it off as the "original", having nothing to do with the needs of the soul.
another oops! My third sentence was not complete. I meant to say that inspiration & a personal take on that single source or combination of sources that we see or hear touches in some way that we feel a need to express.
I do think credit should be given where credit is due.
Though inspiration from ones work to pursue a talent is something that we all get from great works.
Blessings. Catherine
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