Pastiche, Synchronicity and Conceptual Appropriation

Artists often have elements of their work that are similar or mimic that of another artist. It is not usually considered plagiarism, but is it pastiche, synchronicity or conceptual appropriation?

Pastiche is when an artist creates a piece of work that is like an already existing piece of art, whether it imitates another artist or an artistic time period. One example of this is Casper David Friedrich's “Chalk cliffs on Rugen" (1818). The idea of someone stood on a rocky cliff, as well as the style of clothing of the man involved and the surrounding scenery has been imitated in Cliff Richard's "Heathcliff" (1996) album cover, as well as in David Tennet's "RSC Hamlet" (2009) poster.

Synchronicity describes the relationship, or synchronisation between two or more ideas. Even though these ideas mimic each other, they are related by chance, and is not someone stealing an idea from someone or something else. In art and design, this is when two or more artists/designers produce work with synchronised ideas, without knowing of each other’s worker. They couldn't have created their work with intent to copy from someone else, so this relationship between their ideas is only coincidental. One example of this is Gillian Wearing's work, "signs that say what you want them to say and not signs that say what someone else wants you to say" (2006). Volkswagen used the idea of people holding signs for one of their promotional campaigns, and even though they weren't aware of Gillian Wearing's work, she threatened to sue them for plagiarism. The situation was later settled out of court.

           

Esquire 1969. Artsy time-best magazine 

covers (2009). Available at:

http://artsytime.com/best-cover-magazines/  .

(Accessed on 11th January 2012) 

Conceptual appropriation is a technique that many modern artists use. It means to "take possession of something", and is when an artist purposely copies an existing image, but changes it slightly to put their own twist on it. For example, Esquire magazine had a cover with Andy Warhol's Campbell's soup. However, unlike the original, artwork, this image has the soup can open with Warhol drowning in the soup. The purpose is not to copy or steal the original artwork, but is instead to "borrow" it. The artist wants viewers to recognise that part of the idea has been taken from another art piece. Conceptual appropriation is usually used by artists either to make fun of existing work, like Banksy often does is his work, or to make a point.