Ethical Question on Beads

Everyone seems to have a different opinion about this, but I'll give you my take on it.

I feel that we all learn through copying/emulation. At some point, a learner will either drop the art/craft and move on to something else, or they will reach a point where they "find their own voice". By that, I mean that through their work on the torch, they will make their own discoveries and find a style that is truly their own.

I don't think it's ok for someone to set out to copy another's work with the intention of selling it and passing it off either the work of the originating artist. And I do think that if you produce beads for sale that are undeniably in the trademark style of another artist, that it's only right to credit that artist as the inspiration for your derivative work.

There has been recent discussion about a set that Corina did that was 'copied' by someone. I was pretty busy all week, so I didn't really keep up with the discussion. Anyway, I made and sold a set that looked like that last year. Way before all this hoopla. And in retrospect, I thought they looked a lot like Heather Trimlett's work.

I can't speak for the lampworkers, but my own gut feeling is that, in a time when direct apprenticeship in the arts is rare, imitation is the sincerest form of self-education.

It is getting -stuck- in an imitative mode that is destructive to both the newbie and the established artist.

Work done consciously "in the style of" an established artist as an homage ... is rather different from a knock-off which is designed to capitalize on someone else's innovative work, or recognizeable personal style.

Deirdre

On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 22:04:53 -0400, Maeven wrote (in message ):

After a one day course, you won't be making beads in any style but that of General Mills: If you're lucky, they'll look like Cheerios. :-)

From what I can see, you pretty much have to copy some of the techniques in order to learn what you need to learn, but sooner or later your own soul will show in the beads. (If you love lampwork. If you look at it as a chore, it won't work. Trust me.)

From what I can see, the people who never progress beyond copying other folk's work are people who really don't get a whole lot of enjoyment from their art. Often, they think of it as a way to make money. From what I see, beadmaking or jewelrymaking is a labor of love, because heaven knows there isn't a lot of easy money to be made.

Some people never get the feel of the materials they use, and don't hear the messages waiting in the glass or the beads. It really is a kick to sit down at your work table with no idea what you're going to do, and just start creating: the beads speak to me, and my best pieces come from those sessions. I think that I experience my most artistic growth when I just let the materials do what they want, and try to let them express their own beauty. Then again, I'm one of those people who can't ever leave well enough alone - even if I had a pattern to follow, I'd want to change this, that and the other thing, and the finished product might bear no resemblence to the pattern. I also make each piece unique - I don't make anything alike and that's on purpose.

No, it's not wrong at all. Personally, I would not sell practice beads that are close copies of other people's distinctive style. If I sold some that were mostly mine but influenced by the style of another artist, I'd say just that when selling it. In time, if you end up loving the glass as some of our artists do, you will realize you're speaking with your own voice at the torch, and that you've created a style all your own.

Kathy N-V

My personal opinion is that it's wrong to make an exact copy of someone else's work and call it your own. I equate that with fake designer handbags. I do think it's fine to emulate another artist especially when you are learning how to do something or because you truly love their work and you find it inspriational. If you wish to sell a piece that you feel was directly inspired by another artist, it would be nice to make that public knowledge... perhaps on your tag it could say "inspired by" but you don't have to do that. The entire fashion industry is based upon "copy catting." That's why there's more than one company that makes designer jeans. ;o)

Caren

I'm going to spout off before I read what anyone else says.

I take the "classical art" view on this. Everyone learns through copying, when you're starting out. I think it's easier to grasp a technique when you have a model in front of you. You can worry about the creative aspect later, AFTER you understand basic techniques. Teach your hands what to do, your brain will catch up.

So, copy, FOR YOURSELF. That's where I believe the line gets crossed, when people copy and try to sell it as their original work.

One sort of exception, at least in beadmaking. There's precious little that's truly original. Dots are dots, lines are lines, teal and purple are teal and purple. But there ARE ways of putting those dots and lines and colors together that can make it uniquely your work, at least right at the moment.

Have fun learning!

-- KarenK Desert Dreamer Designs

Store:

picasso said, 'good artists borrow, great artists steal."

i also dont know the protocol, but i think if you copy anything at all in art, it will always come out with your flavor in it....

and good for you for learning to lampwork! someday i hope to do the same :)

alia

My opinion is that the best way to learn techniques is to copy styles you like until you settle into one of your own. Go for it! When you're established and selling your own work, you won't be copying others, but during your learning phase, or when making beads for yourself and as gifs, it's A-OK.

IMHO.

Just another thing to think about - some of the glass artists have classes and books out with their techniques - which I believe give you explicit permission to use those techniques to create beads similar to their styles. I think the difference is, as long as you are using those techniques, it's craft. Once you go beyond copying and using their work as guides, when you let the glass and your soul take over, then it becomes art.

Pam

I think I like this way of looking at the distinction. And I think everyone has to learn 'craft' before they become capable of 'art'. (But I also think there is no winning an argument about which is which... or where the border between the two is located...)

Deirdre

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Pam" :

]as long as you are using those techniques, it's ]craft. Once you go beyond copying and using their work as guides, when you ]let the glass and your soul take over, then it becomes art.

bingo!

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

's not what you take, when you leave this world behind you;it's what you leave behind you when you go. -- Randy Travis

I think Tink said it VERY well.

intention of selling it and passing it off either the work of the originating artist. And I do think that if you produce beads for sale that are undeniably in the trademark style of another artist, that it's only right to credit that artist as the inspiration for your derivative work.<

Carol in SLC New JustBeads auctions:

On Fri, 19 Sep 2003 21:43:12 -0400, Maeven wrote (in message ):

We aren't cruel people. People who are cruel would tell you what you want to hear, only to laugh when you fail. We want you to succeed, and become the best artist you can be. We would also like you to be wildly financially successful, and that you would give it all to us. (That's half right, anyway) Normally, if I have a good comment, and it adds materially to the comments made by others, I'll post it. If it's less than flattering, I take it to email, unless it's such a general issue that I feel the folks lurking need to hear what I have to say. Even so, I would never be nasty for nastiness' sake. When you hear that you're good enough from this group, you will be prepared to sell to the world. You'll know at least a little about every aspect of beads, beaded jewelry and associated metalwork. You'll see beads that will make you sob with jealousy, and one day you'll realize your own work is just that good.

Kathy N-V

That's the sweetest thing I've heard in the last few days. Thank you for making me smile. (Had a couple rough days at work).

Thank you, again. Wendy

comfortable.