003 originality
The blog that follows is to be read for entertainment. Extract as much or as little wisdom as you want from my cumulonimbus cloud of self-indulgent disdain.
Credit and rights are extremely important to art. So much of art history has to do with credit, often being woven with scandals and fights over credit. Due credit however, does not inherently mean originality. It is an important distinction to make and keep in mind when thinking about art. I have occupied artistic spaces my entire life, I have interacted with art as a viewer and a producer. I do not like when people over obsess on originality and thus credit.
The intersections of originality, ego, credit, and imitation never cease to cloud people's ability to make art. Especially with the internet now. It seems like everyone is hellbent on claiming something as ‘their thing’ while simultaneously not producing that much art. I would be more likely to believe that you originated this idea if you were constantly making things.
I see so many artists bending over backwards to credit themselves for things that are not theirs. How close minded and self centered are you, that you think the first time you do something is the first time anyone has done it? I am not saying new things cannot be originated in the modern age. But the likelihood of making something 100% original these days is near impossible. And that is OKAY. (maybe you could reach 1% if you tried your hardest). Originality doesn't always add value. I am not a new type of human. I am not the first artist to ever live. I have seen and been influenced by things I don't even remember. So it does not matter what is completely original and what isn't, it matters if it’s good art (for the artist or a viewer). Art itself is impossible without a reference. Emotion and feelings are often references a brain uses to express and contextualize art. The most famous artists had and use references (you still call their work original). So why are so many creatives obsessed with saying they ‘didn't have references’? That is just straight up a lie.
The ego is strong, and chasing originality is often just chasing an ego boost. If someone isnt making art or making art they don’t like, it's ‘artists block’. Not the fact that commodifying yourself has put you in a headspace where you kill ideas before you execute them because you need it to have monetary value for yourself. Everyone just needs to relax. I see way too many people on the internet claiming to be originators of things that aren't theirs. Well, the very audacity of claiming wholly general ideas as there own might be novel, just because no one has ever been that silly. So maybe they are trendsetters. It makes sense then, why they continue to make a big deal out of their ‘original’ pieces. It's easy to hide your own imitation by claiming someone else’s.
I have grown past thinking I need to synthesize completely new concepts to make my art. That is a prison. I love love love references. That is what makes art cool and fun: the ability to liken it to different things that not every person could. Compiling my thoughts and ideas in order to capture what I want my art to reflect is functional, enjoyable, and It makes the creative process easier (sometimes).
Lightning round of thoughts and clarifications: Exact copying has its place. Exact copying someones art and crediting yourself is ugly and dumb, you suck! Imitation as flattery has a limit. Originality exists because you made it not because someone else didn’t. You will die and with it your entire repertoire of ideas you think you own. Other people can improve on your ideas. Other people can and will steal your ideas. Focusing on people taking your work does not always improve your future work. Art as a career is not for everyone. Art as art is for everyone.
Art is referential. The gatekeeping of ‘original’ ideas does not make you a better artist, it makes you a worse one. Think vanta black. What makes good artists is art. And if you want to be so rich to ask what a true artist is. Wouldn't it be the artist whose art is unaffected by others knowing the process?