Yeah, I'm an appropriationist. I take other people's drawings and twist them into my paintings. It's not news, you already now that, I've confessed numerous times to the committee.
Shepard Fairey, Richard Prince and Jeff Koons have been involved with the legal or court systems over their appropriation. And Joy Garnett frequently blogs about the dynamics of fair use, copyrights etc.
I'm all for appropriation.
Except when this happens: a corporation hires a snappy ad agency that makes something in the style of a cool artist.
In this case, Emeryville's Jamba Juice has aped the hilariously droll work of David Rees. Actually, "aped" is an under-exaggeration, they have copied (down to the speech bubbles) Rees's "Get Your War On" comic series. Loads of companies do something similar. Referring to something cooler than themselves raises their hip-ness factor. Some, like sneaker and auto manufacturers, hire artists to present limited edition designs.
But is it okay to just take the work of an artist, without asking, and use it to sell your product? Fck no.
I'm sure the ad agency genius that came up with the idea is making way more per year than Rees ever got for his books and strip. But that's not why its not okay to steal, not getting enough money for your work is de rigueur for life. I'll bet that ad guy feels he should be making more.
Here is why it is not okay to steal: They haven't acknowledged Rees as the source for their campaign. C'mon Jamba Juice. You could have at least checked in with him.
Instead of suing over the campaign, Rees is doing something better -- he's calling for a boycott of Jamba Juice. I'm all for it. Well, actually, I hate smoothies so I've never stopped into their joints. But even if I did want a fruit drink, I wouldn't want Listeria in mine. But, really, if you buy their goods,stop it. You need to join the boycott.
(btw I emailed Jamba's coporate office to find out why they think it's okay to steal from an artist and not acknowledge him... I'll let you know if I hear back.)
UPDATE: Follow all the shenanigans at Rees' blog.
photo: Get Your War On, Page 81, David Rees.
