Richard Prince

In class on Tuesday we talked a lot about the photograph as a medium for an artist rather than a piece of art in itself. This article discusses the controversy behind using another artists' original work to create another form of art from it. Art of all types is reproduced extremely frequently today, whether a song, photograph, or book. Because this happens so often, I believe the main issue lies in whether or not ample credit is given to the original artist. 

Krants comments, "I'm not a mean person, and I'm not a vindictive person,'' he said. ''I just want some recognition, and I want some understanding.'' I would feel the same way if I walked into an exhibit and saw my work being incorporated into someone else’s without having any idea about it beforehand, or at least without receiving any recognition or credit. I think this also relates to the controversy behind the Migrant Mother and the lack of recognition the subject of the photograph received despite continuous exposure. Kranz emphasizes that he’s not upset that his work was used, “If imitation is a form of flattery, then I will accept the compliment,'' but rather that he wants his work, wich he considers distinctive, to be recognized as his own rather than as someone else’s.