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the gleaners

Posted by pechevino on February 6, 2009 at 9:00pm

Most artists have those paintings in their mental library that signify the moment the first heard of it... not actually see the work. Living in the expanse of the desert southwest, I knew I was lucky to see Picasso "Le Reve"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Le-reve-1932.jpgbefore the owner stumbled and lost a much-loved personal treasure by putting his elbow through it.I remember the first time I heard the title, "The Gleaners".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_GleanersThe idea of nothing that offers nourishment to one's creative existence is going to waste, is the answer to the question, "What do the arts really bring to life - why should * ∫ ¡ i ! * support the arts?" Artists are naturally born gleaners. Taking what is, and always will be, already there... this is an graphic artist's stock and trade. A teacher once said "there will always be someone who will say, "I could have done that first..." Here's the truth, you didn't. There is nothing new... only the point-of-reference that led to the visual solution.The four-color point of reference choice can be found in Russian Constructivist, Alexander Rodchenko.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1915_Dance_by_Rodchenko.jpg

The AP could have done the real work of giving a good creative a job. Instantly recognizing the intrinsic value in the work created as a social commentator on the weight of the images chosen to dialogue his small place in the great expanse. As a graphic designer, Fairey is faced with the constant problem of how to take an existing image in the public domain and add his voice to the image interpretation. He gleaned... found a lost AP photo of Barrack Obama.from the wikipage:The artwork is based on a copyrighted photograph taken in April 2006 by Mannie Garcia while on assignment for the Associated Press. Fairey feels his use of it falls within the legal definition of fair use. Lawyers for both sides are currently in discussions seeking an amicable agreement.[29]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepard_Fairey

- and collaged and colored HIS reality, not the AP's, into the image. The AP hired Mannie Garcia to take a photo of a public individual. As a creative graphic designer, Fairey left nothing to waste when his used four colors to explain his interpretation of the photo.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Obamaposter.jpgThe lie the AP wants you to believe is because he used the image that was long in the public domain, they should get the credit. No one is disputing the eye that caught the image... the national gallery still shows Mannie Garcia's AP compensated photo... it's just designed by Shepard Fairey. Andy Warhol came to the conclusion he would have to take his own images if he wanted complete artistic control of his work. Fairey may have to come to the same solution if he wants the AP's hand out of his pocket. The reality is, AP would never hire someone like Fairey as an in-house graphic designer... though they might wanna rethink that position. The truth is the AP - and industries struggling under the yoke of debt and (hopeful) recovery - should have hired someone like him and too many talented others working without a net... to design their stuff. The fact is they can't be troubled to pay Fairey and so many others; what they are WORTH as a gleaner.

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