Who Does This Internet Artwork Belong To? A Study on Art Appropriation and Youth Identity in a Digital Age

Laura Scherling
GreenspaceNYC, Co-founder
The New School, Design Lead
Teachers College, Columbia University, Doctoral student

This pilot study explores meaning making in art appropriation practices. As practices of appropriation continue to expand with Internet use, the disciplines that fall under the umbrella of visual arts education also widen. Contemporary Internet artists, such as Ryder Ripps, are influencing changes in artistic production, by experimenting with new media and methods of appropriation. These emerging practices inspire youth to reframe their compositions through the lens of reinterpretation and remix. In order to understand these changes in art appropriation practices, I collect interview and survey data. I present these research findings through a method of constant comparison. Responses suggest a growing intersection between media consumption and production, and contemporary remix culture. In this research, I advocate for dialogue around participatory remix culture and deeper consideration of how it can transform traditional schooling environments.

This research was presented at the Design Incubation Colloquium 2.4: CAA Conference 2016, Washington, DC on Wednesday, February 3, 2016.