self portrait

political photoshop

I really did not intend to be insensitive, I just wanted an iconic photograph

Ownership

Watching the videos in class really made me think about my opinions on the subject of using art in different contexts. The music videos created with music and imagery not originally meant for that context seemed harmless. The copyright on music seems hard to control. People don't have to buy music because it can be heard on the radio stations. So re contextualizing music doesn't seem that extream. Even within the music industry people use other people work, it's called sampling. Music is made to be commercial, to be sold, or at a more basic level, just to be heard.
Utilizing photographs taken and posted on social media sites are a different story. Those photographs were taken for personal use, not commercial. I view using the woman's photograph in the vergin mobile ad, and the Gap's usage of the photograph or the car were examples of improper usage or photographs.
While many people determine if the usage is correct depending on whether a profit is made off the usage of the photograph, I look at the issue reversely. Was the are originally made to be public and shared and spread, or was it made for personal usage. While the internet allows access into private art, it is the responsibility of the owner to protect their own work. People should be knowledgeable of what the internet offers and know how to protect themselves.

Composite Image

For my composite image I worked with a Walker Evans photo titled "seed and feed" and from there added cows, Mt. Fugi, Painted Elephants, the Taj Mahal, and a killer rat of enormous proportions.