RiP: A Remix Manifesto

Rip: A Remix Manifesto was a very captivating film that was thought provoking and definitely made the viewer think.  There were many points that were brought up throughout the film that I never considered and made me more aware of the consequences of copyright.  I always knew that downloading music was illegal, but I wasn't aware that the punishment was so harsh. The band Girl Talk that was focused upon in the movie, uses mash up and combinations from other songs to recreate their own work. Even though they are using their own creativity, they still cross the lines of infringement and have broken the law. I personally think that the concept of Girl Talk's work is unique and interesting, in which it allows for altering and using their own mind to create something.  Considering the law of fair use, material created from others can be used in moderation, but there are also strict guidelines to the usage. I think that this video was unique and creative in demonstrating the idea of fair use and copyright, in which it made it quite obvious the restrictions and laws.  When you look deeper into the past, many works are merely created from previous works in history.  Even though an artist may think that they are creating something new, there is always a chance that it's extremely similar to another artist's work, in which this could begin a lawsuit.

Appropriation Artists

Cindy Sherman. January 19. 1954. Glen Ridge, New Jersey. New York City. Buffalo State College. Photography. Untitled Film Still #96, Untitled #471, Untitled #223.

Yasumasa Morimura. June 11, 1951. Osaka, Japan. Japan. Kyoto City University of Arts. Photography. Self Portrait after Marilyn Monroe.

Samuel Fosso. 1962. Cameroon. Bangui, Central African Republic. Photography. Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali.