Appropriation within design has 2 meanings, both are relevant to designers and both need careful consideration...
These meanings are:
1. the use of pre-existing objects/images within design or art with 'marginal amounts of transformation applies to them'. This act also adds new context to existing work.
2. The use of a product by its users in a way not intended by the designer.
Definition 1 explained...
The appropriation of pre-existing objects and images has been used extensively in modern art and design. Pablo Picasso used objects which were not previously art, such as newspaper clippings. These works placed the objects in new contexts without transforming the original concept.
Marcel Duchamp took the process further with his concept of “ready-made” which used objects produced by industry for ordinary use and transposed them into art through the use of “presentation and selection”. This wasn’t without controversy and one of his most famous works – a urinal placed on a pedestal was rejected by an exhibition panel because it was considered plagiarism.
Andy Warhol took the Campbell’s Soup images to create some of his most famous works...
Photographers, fashion designers, installation artists, etc. have all used appropriation of this kind and in more recent years so have web designers.
This form of appropriation is not without its risks...
Copyright
There are real concerns regarding the copyright of work when it is appropriated. Andy Warhol, for example, who was one of the most famous artistic appropriators found himself on the receiving end of much litigation with respect to his appropriations. He lost a case when photographers objected to silk screen reproductions of their work produced by Warhol but won a case against Campbell’s Soup despite having clearly reproduced their image.
Cultural Appropriation
More recently, there have been concerns raised about “cultural appropriation” in which designs incorporate items from other cultures. While, this may seem innocuous on the surface – it often gives rise to allegations of racism if the handling of such material is not seen to be sensitive.
When Charles Caleb Colton said; “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” he didn’t mean go ahead and appropriate someone else’s culture in the wrong way.
The star Beyonce has been accused of cultural appropriation by appearing in a Bollywood costume in a music video; some allege that she has been careless in her treatment of India’s cultural heritage.
J K Rowling, the Harry Potter author, has recently been drawn into allegations of cultural appropriation by her handling of North American indigenous culture in her “History of Magic”.
Also this year, the fashion brand H&M has found itself criticised for cultural appropriation of Jewish prayer scarves in a scarf sold by the company.
The key to avoiding cultural appropriation seems to be straightforward; ask members of the community you are appropriating from if they find it offensive or not. However, it is probably worth noting that in today’s ever-connected world – there’s always someone looking to take offence no matter your intentions. Cultural appropriation should be best handled sensitively at all times.
I found a powerpoint presentation that further explained appropriation. This presentation highlighted the differences between appropriation in art & design.
Art - Appropriation is over
Design - Appropriation is covert
e.g. these two examples above. The Andy Warhol on the left is overtly referring to the campbell's soup can design. Whereas the propaganda poster on the right is references a poster design that may not be recognised by some of its viewers.
Homage:
"special honour or respect shown publicly"
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