Ocassionally, I find that an artist will incorporate design elements that I have personally developed into their own work. They have appropriated elements of my own originality into their work. In the community of artists that I associate with, originality is a precious and highly valued property. Plagiarism can be defined as "wrongful appropriation". Wikipedia states that "Plagiarism is not a crime but is disapproved more on the grounds of moral offence". When I see that my work is replicated by another artist, I am surely offended - it goes much deeper than irritation with me.
As an exhibitor in the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts, as you can see from my website, all of us exhibitors exist within this jurried show and public scrutiny. If an exhibitor blatantly copies the work of a master or even of another original artist, it can be grounds for low jury score and eventually, the offender will have such low status among his peers, they end-up eliminated from the show. Feuding, animosity and negative rumors can be an undercurrent which haunts the plagiarist. It is a lable that can stick throughout a career.
It is true that in difficult economic times as these, people attempt to use all possible resources they have to make some extra money with arts and crafts. The deep recession we are in with hefty double-digit unemployment numbers compel many out-of-work metal fabricators to do a few home art-metal projects. The problem occurs when they borrow or outright steal the work from another. I understand the 'why' of it, but have a very hard time tolerating and accepting it. I am sure the argument is that any one-of-a-kind artwork is unique, as unique as the fingerprints of the builder. This is unfortunately true. Copying and borrowing of concepts are one of the great adaptive successes of behavioral survival. Plagiarism exists on a contunity with Originality. It is at the lowest end of the spectrum. There can even be selective amnesia about where the source of design comes from. It also can be considered an inspirational credit in biographical literature. "So-and-so was inspired by the work of the original Picasso." It is not considered wrong to derive inspiration from the work of another more original artist. It can be considered 'derivative'. Years ago, copy of masterworks was taught in art schools.
Original art seeks to NOT plagiarize the work of others. If you consider yourself an artist, it is difficult to not be inspired by the apparent success and mastery of media by previous great artists. It is better to build upon your own best works, than to copy others.
My message to you, is that plagiarism is simple cheating. You may be taking an expedient short-cut, where it is not be necessary. Please do your best to BE ORIGINAL. Your arworks will be more recognizable and identifiable with you. It will enable you to earn a positive reputation and you will not be labled as a derivative, counterfeit-fraud. The Internet is an attractive source for images, but do your best to resist the temptation to copy somebody else's work. It only cheats your own personal growth and future success..
John Warren
Rocknfish.com
