Plagiarism – from the Latin plagiārius, kidnapper, plagiarist, from plagium, kidnapping, from plaga, net.]
Plagiary is a $2.00 word to describe the ‘kidnapping’ of another’s idea, usually artistic or scientific. I don’t think one could steal someone’s religious belief or even their philosophy... those are incumbent upon attitudes more than anything concrete...
Plagiary is something a lot of folks are ignorant of doing. It doesn’t make any sense to them if they see or hear something that where the idea came from is somehow a ‘special place’ that reflects the soul of the person who is sharing their expression or slant on the world with others. The ignorant feel that if the art is out in the open they are free to take it, although they themselves wouldn’t dream of stealing another’s material possession.
Plagiary is usually done by those that feel “I can do that!” without asking themselves “Why do I want to do that?” The ignorant are, at best, innocent in their actions and thieves at worst. Most plagiarists fall somewhere in between those extremes.
Influenced by something, be it a piece of art, a handmade craft item or a song or dance, even a sculpture, the plagiarist might feel that they have the ability to duplicate that very thing they are influenced by, not realizing that the person doing the creation has spent a great deal of time in making the object come into existence, either through creative time or the amount of time developing the creative ability that defines themselves thru the object of art.
Where does influence and plagiary cross? Should our influences allow us freedom to duplicate that very thing(s) that have so influenced us? The answer lies in knowing yourself... simple to suggest or imply, but those ignorant of themselves find knowing themselves to be a mystery - “What is there to know?” they may ask themselves.
Any successful artist, regardless of the medium, is successful not because they have copied another but because they know themselves... maybe not to the soul but they recognize the voice of the soul within that allows them to create in their own image. Think back historically to those artists that have influenced you. They could be painters, sculptors, dancers, musicians, writers or poets... it does not matter where the influence comes from but only that you have been influenced. Those artists are the ones that have developed their own stamp, their own signature, their own way of expressing themselves and that is by knowing their own path, which has been carved out by the influences that have moved them.
We may not appreciate all artistic expression, but we must acknowledge that all successful artists are expressing their own soul, so to speak, through the channeling of their own Self. And as developing artists we may find ourselves, at best, imitating those that we admire and, even worse, mimicking those that we feel “I can do that!” But we must continue to find our Self, using our influences as tools to further define our true Self. We must continue doing, creating, expressing to find and reflect that which is our Self, no matter what the medium it is that we choose to use, for each and everyone of us is unique and will not realize our uniqueness if we settle for Xeroxing our influences and call it our Self. Each of us, no matter our lot in life, have an ultimate responsibility to be our Self, attained thru the tools that we have to reflect that Self, such as a sculptor will chip away at the stone that holds the statue within.
Never settle for plagiarism, a cheap imitation of others, to define your Self no matter the price. The path of discovery is the journey in knowing who you really are, and you are the most priceless Self of all. There is no other like you. Find it - express it!
Cecil
06 Marzo 2005
untitled (detail)
acrylic on canvas 2004-05
.........Carole Jean...wire & glass bead by CJ
