Comments for Mrs. Diamond\'s Photography Class

Comment on Appropriation and Shepard Fairey by christinap5

christinap5 — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:36:18 +0000

I believe that as along as the photographer is completely fine with what was done with the picture its ok for the artist to change it and make it into his own. In this case he photographer didnt mind his work being used to make new art so agreee with what Shepard Fairey.

Comment on Appropriation and Shepard Fairey by luisz1

luisz1 — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:30:00 +0000

I think that what Shepard Fairey did was completely fair because he took another artists’ image and completely changed it. The influential work of art that Shepard created became national and seen everywhere. When I first saw the image months ago, I thought it was the original work of art, and borrowed from another artist and changed. But after having read the articles, I still completely agree with Shepard and i also like the original image.

Comment on Appropriation and Shepard Fairey by Brandona1

Brandona1 — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:13:21 +0000

The New York Times article illuminated the idea of appropriation for me. I agree with Shepard Fairey, that his work of art is not copyright infringement of Manny Garcia’s photo. The Associated press has no right to threaten Mr. Fairey, since art is unique, an expression of one’s own mind and thoughts. What Mr. Fairey created (with the inspiration of Garcia’s photo) truly is a “stunning, abstracted and idealized visual image that created powerful new meaning and conveys a radically different message”. The legal aspect of this case complicates the actual matter at hand. Yes, it is just to copyright one’s own work (the photograph), but to suppress another work of art out of greed is wrong. Fairey is right in this case, and his drastic artistic spin on Garcia’s photograph makes it his own work of art.

Comment on Appropriation and Shepard Fairey by samanthas4

samanthas4 — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:11:45 +0000

I think that Shepard Fairey was wrong in that he did not give Garcia the credit for taking the photograph of President Obama but i also think that the picture that he created was very powerful and that he made the photo famous. I believe that Fairey took a picture of Obama and created his own piece of art. Even though he used the exact same picture that Garcia took, he was able to make it his own. He turned it into a cartoonlike picture and added different colors and text. Because of that, I think that he is allowed to call it his own work. For example, in the world of Music, there are many remakes of original songs. These new remakes do not take away from the original, it just creates a new version of the song. As long as Fairey acknowledges that he took the picture from someone else, I believe that it is acceptable for him to call it his own work. He took an ordinary picture of the President and turned it into a famous picture.

Comment on Appropriation and Shepard Fairey by justinl2

justinl2 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:16:46 +0000

I think it is important that he made major artistic changes including the colors. I believe it displays a diffrent message because Obama’s face is red white and blue, i think it shows the lack of importance in race and how america should become united. I believe that regardless of the change that the artist should have permsion to use the work. It is still a work of art and is still the work of another artist. This would not have been as alarge as an issue if he had asked the original artist for permision to produce the image with his own twist.

Comment on Appropriation and Shepard Fairey by kathrynw1

kathrynw1 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:36:28 +0000

I do not agree nor do i disagree with either person in this case. I believe that Shepard Fairey created a rather unique and influential piece and I believe that he should have the rights to his work. On the other hand, I believe that Garcia deserves some credit aswell. Because of Garica’s photograph of President Obama, Fairey was able to create his piece. However if i had to pick a side I would have to side with Fairey. He was able to completely transform the image into an original piece. He only used the photograph as a referance, which is done by a lot of people today. All Fairey did was look up pictures of Obama on the internet to find one he thought he could use as a referance and picked this one. What Fairey did completely changed the original photograph.

Comment on Appropriation and Shepard Fairey by Alissa M. p.2

Alissa M. p.2 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:23:53 +0000

I agree Fairey because pictures found on the internet are used all the time. I know personally that if I need a picture for a project I get it off the internet. I have done this many times in my life. It should be known that if you put pictures on the internet, it is for everyone to see and for everyone to use. Fairey is not taking credit for the photo itself but for the adjustments he made on it. By making the adjustments, he made it his own only using the original picture as a reference. I think that the only reason why Garcia sued was because he wanted recognition for it since it is now a well known picture throughout the United States. I also think that Garcia was jealous that Fairey was getting all this fame by using his picture. Since Fairey took the picture and changed it rather than putting his name on the original picture and taking credit for it, he should not have been sued. Although, i do think that Fairey should have asked permission from Garcia, Fairey didn’t know that his work would get the recognition of the entire country.

Comment on Appropriation and Shepard Fairey by Kristin M. pd. 3

Kristin M. pd. 3 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:08:03 +0000

I think that what Shepard Fairey did with Mannie Garcias photo shouldnt have been seen as illegal or wrong. Fairey used Garcias photo as a referance for what he was planning to do with the photo and change it in his own way. Even the Obama campaing used it and it was seen in many places through out that time period. Fairey didnt make the photo in to a bad image but changed it and inspired some people. Fairey changed this image and made it his own, he didnt directly take Garcias photo and call it his.

Comment on Appropriation and Shepard Fairey by Christina C. prd 3

Christina C. prd 3 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:58:15 +0000

I do not agree with one particular person in this case. Pictures are used all of the time on the internet, I personally think that Mr. Garcia wanted to share some of the fame with Fairey. Fairey was able to create an influential and creative piece of art, and I think he should have the right to. However Garcia, does deserve some credit too, part of what makes the piece of art so great is Obama’s look and position. He looks captivating and inspiring. However if I had to choose one side I would pick Fairey’s. This picture was his original idea, and he just took the most interesting picture of Obama off the internet. I dont think he was trying to take credit off of someone else’s work, he just wanted to create and influential picture for Obama during the election.

Comment on Appropriation and Shepard Fairey by Dana S pd 4

Dana S pd 4 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:49:20 +0000

I do not totally agree or disagree with either Shepard Fairey or Mannie Garcia. I feel that Garcia’s photo and Fairey’s interrpertation of it have two very different meanings. Garcias photo depicts a powerful image of reality and captures the the intensity of Obama’s facial expression. But on the other hand, Fairey creates an equally powerful image but instead is expressing a deeper pride and deeper representation of this country through the face of our newest prsident. I think that Garcia should be honered that his photo was used in such a way as a reference for this new amazing piece of art. Although Garcia has every right to be upst that he is not being also credited as a REFERENCE, because again, they are completely different pieces and it would be wrong for Garcia to be credited for all of it.