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Accepted Paper:
Short abstract:
This paper will present a case study of Sherrie Levine’s “After Walkers Evans” (1981), seen through the concept of Plunderphonics by Jhon Oswald, aiming to discuss the relations of plagiarism and piracy in art works, and the role of technology and technoscientific governanceover art.
Long abstract:
"After Walker Evans" (1981) by photographer Sherrie Levine was an exhibition featuring images taken from the book "Let Us Now Praise Famous Men" (1941), by author James Agee alongside photos by Walker Evans. Intending to critique originality in art, Levine faced legal threats from Evans' Estate for Copyright infringement. She ceased using Evans' work and the lawsuit was dropped, after, the Estate ended up purchasing the images. This analysis will examine Levine's work in the context of John Oswald's concept of Plunderphonics, exploring piracy, plagiarism, and the appropriation of existing art to question originality and challenge copyright. Oswald proposes that any body of work should be open for appropriation, regardless of authorization or payment of rights, but always citing the original creator, as quotation does in literature.
This paper employs a case study methodology centered around Sherrie Levine's exhibition as a pivotal illustration. Drawing on John Oswald's concept, the paper argues that Levine's actions could be considered a plunderphonic work. Ultimately, this analysis will delve into the technological aspect of piracy and plagiarism in art, also covered in Oswald’s Plunderphonics, engaging with current discussions in STS on technoscientific governance, by examining the ways in which science and technology intersect with governance structures, and assessing the implications of interference of the State in artistic contexts.
Therefore, in analyzing Levine's work through the relation between Oswald's Plunderphonics and STS studies, discussions about plagiarism and artistic recontextualization can be raised, complicating further the binomials of good-bad, legal-illegal.
Reassessing technology in illegal settings
Session 2 Friday 19 July, 2024, -