From our reading, Charles Sims says that people need to use their original creativity and not “spend all their time diddling around with footage that other people have made…” (Lessig 91). I kind of agree with Sims in that many people could create a lot more with their original thought and ideas but I also don’t discourage that type of creativity either. I believe it just opens up a new category of skill even though they didn’t make the original film or art. It doesn’t mean they can’t create something new and meaningful with the already made material. Some people aren’t skilled in making the piece of art or film but is very skilled with assembling the pieces with computer programs and such.
I think it is an interesting topic to look at how people can creatively form art. In a way it makes sense that people should create their own work in order to be original and have their own unique ideas. However, when people use other’s work as a means of creativity, it can spark a new sense of ideas and artistic flow. I agree with you that it is okay to use other artists work as a means to spark creativity, but it still is important to not copy other’s ideas. This goes back to the Ted talk for this week and how copyright laws should be less strict. However, it is hard to achieve this when certain artists want their work to be reserved and not re-created, where other artists would allow their work to be more freely available.
I think people may have different patterns in creation processes. I also discourage that people spend all the time on improving things that other people have made. However, by exploring deeper about the creation process and how other people invent and improve things can provide new ideas to stimulate people’s creation thoughts. Also, I believe that some people will be better to deal with new things and some people will be better at dealing with improving existing things. I think both invention and improvement could be a part of creative process. In addition, I believe different fields of art may produce different level of difficulties for people to produce new things. For example, art in movie area and art in painting area have different level of requirement and process of creativity which will lead different approaches for people when they want to create new things.
I believe that the hardest part of being creative is coming up with something new and your own. It is easier to remix things because they are already preexisting creative pieces and you’re creating your own ownership of it through remixing but not making something entirely new. If you are able to be creative enough to make something entirely new and different than you can make a lot of money and create a very popular item. Everyone is always trying to make the next best thing and oftentimes that thing has things that have never been seen before.
I also don’t want to discourage people from creating things using past or old material because just like you said that is the best way that some people find creativity. I also believe that sometimes creating by remixing already made material can sometimes trigger an inspirational thought that can lead to unique creativity. Or as an artist, if you lack inspiration then sometimes remixing can give you back your creative side. I will say this however, as much as I don’t discourage this type of creativity I do believe that original creations usually tend to be more spectacular.
I like your point that using other peoples creations still opens other doors of our own creativity. I find it really interesting that so many forms of art are copyrighted but fashion design isn’t one of them. In fact, the fashion business financially depends on the extent to which other companies will copy their designs. If other people copy you, it means they want more of your work, you had a great idea and you you will need more of these great ideas in order to continue your business and stand apart. Therefore in some cases, copying really does encourage more creativity, don’t you think? I also find myself more inspired to create something once I’ve viewed someone else’s pieces. I can imagine what I feel is missing in their creation or how one slight change might make the piece better. I definitely think this sort of freely flowing creative energy should be encouraged.