You read the title and thought I was talking smack. But in fact, I’m trying to give advice.
The history of the world is one of shared spaces, shared food, shared water, shared DNA, shared lives. The history of art is the same. It is a history of an evolution of ideas, of appropriation and application. Therefore, if you’re looking for inspiration, look no further than 1. inside you; and then 2. to other art work that fuels your soul. Apply your own story to what you see. Make it relevant, make it yours. Remix it all and you’re underway. Filmmaker Jim Jarmusch says it best:
“Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is nonexistent.”
The above image plus the reminder that all of life is a collage, via the uber talented Austin Kleon.
It’s a great thought, although interesting in light of the thoughts from http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2010/08/is-inspiration-killing-creativity/
Both ideas seem to have great points and I think that you have to go into both to fully appreciate and articulate art and photography. On one hand is the idea of not worrying about creating anything new and just taking what is out there and morphing it with your own flavor. On the other you have the idea that we should look less at what is out there because that is the very thing that is squashing our creativity.
Like I said, I do think there is a balance and I hate to say we just need to be in the middle because that is just about as boring as you can get, but the idea of being able to walk around with both of these perspectives in view I think gives us the best opportunity to develop our creativity and photography.
Stealing is also an art as long as you dont get caught :p
Very well said. That is such an inspirational message quoted from the best 🙂