Monday, May 25, 2009

Originality [the unfinished design]

2009 / Mont Royal, Montréal / Canon Powershot SD750

For a while now, I have been struggling with the idea of originality in the design world. Everything seems a bit banal and many times predictable. I don’t know if it is still possible to see innovative and totally original masterpieces. We may have to get used to seeing copies with transformation and mutations.

It is shame, and I am sure we are all trying hard to evade this unconscious “inspiration”, but it is almost impossible. With that many images stored in our memory, and with the Internet as vehicle, information multiplies exponentially and is put at our disposition at any time.
It is almost as if what we know is what we see; what we can create is already there.

I say almost, because I would like to keep a margin for error, and for hope that I am wrong and we still can create, design and innovate.

Here’s what Jim Jarmusch has to say about that.   what do you think?

"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. And don’t bother concealing your thievery—celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from—it’s where you take them to."

— Jim Jarmusch.

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posted by _z. @ 2:00 AM

7 Comments:

At 1:49 AM, Blogger shoesthatfit said...

personally i have a deep appreciation for original ideas/ concepts but sometimes reinventing the wheel seems like a waste of time. copies are boring.

i do not agree that nothing is original and it is very personal. i do like fueling my imagination with heaps of stimulus then mish-mashing all into something original.

 
At 11:29 AM, Blogger Liliane said...

i read that somewhere, there is no creation, its mostly a combination of things to come up with a new "innovation"... I know that for example in music, one day we will reach a day that all combination of notes are done, finished. Maybe same of architecture? for design? bass definitely ba3ed fi eshya ten3amal, so courage :)

 
At 11:31 AM, Blogger Liliane said...

and by the way, welcome back :)

 
At 6:25 PM, Blogger an OTHER human being.. said...

http://sir_fadi.blogspot.com/2006/04/originally-different-article.html

 
At 10:28 PM, Blogger rouba said...

i like what jim jarmusch said, it makes one feel better. i spend alot of time trying to come up with something original and the result is never entirely satisfactory

 
At 7:36 AM, Blogger _z. said...

shoesthatfit_
I totally agree. I mean of course originality is something we all aspire for, but Jim's question remains... are we able to achieve it still? I am not sure. Can you point out an original piece?

Liliane_
Are you talking about probability and number combination? That’s interesting!!! I never thought about music like that. I don't know if you wish to elaborate.
I think that in architecture, theoretical innovations, or architecture that changes the way we think and we live stopped a long time ago. There are breakthroughs every once in while (variations and adaptation), but of course based on older theories.
Which is quite alright, and fine… much needed also.

 
At 7:41 AM, Blogger _z. said...

an OTHER human being_
thank you... I think you just proved my point. :)

rouba_
What Jarmush said surely relieves some pressure if you are a perfectionist.
Many times I don't continue with ideas, drawings, designs for fear of exactely that. What he said, and if we want to live by his word, surely encourages you to just make your work public without much fear of being accused of something.

 

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