Read the four texts below about the saying ‘Good artists borrow, great artists steal’. There are seven questions about the texts. Which text gives you the answer to each question? Drag and drop the correct text (A-D) to answer each question.
A. Pablo Picasso, the influential 20th century artist is widely quoted as having said that ‘good artists borrow, great artists steal.’ Whether or not Picasso was truly the first person to voice this idea is in some dispute, but what cannot be denied is that existing ideas feed into the creation of new ones. Shakespeare, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, routinely stole plotlines and even whole scenes from other writers for his own plays. The thematic and technical similarities that characterize art movements are due in large measure to deliberate imitation of seminal works of art. Regardless of the origins of the quote, I find the choice of words rather curious. Surely the idea of stealing is misplaced here, given that my use of your idea in no way denies you the use of your idea, and may even lead me to create new ideas that you will benefit from.
B. This saying is often on the lips of artists, thinkers, filmmakers and even internet T-shirt designers. Unfortunately, the second part of the quote is taken by some as license to plagiarize, but that is a misinterpretation of its meaning. The saying is, at its root, about finding inspiration in the work of others, and then using it as a starting point for original output. Artists may recontextualize, remix, substitute, or otherwise mashup existing work to create something new. So, what makes this ‘stealing’? It’s that instead of just imitating something—which only serves to remind people of the superior original—you change it with your own compelling ideas. When you’ve elevated someone’s idea, an informed audience could look at both works and say yours explores a certain idea better. In a sense you own that idea now and can therefore be said to have stolen it.
C.
You’ve probably heard a version of this saying, which has been said in slightly different ways by many great creatives, including T. S. Eliot, Pablo Picasso, and even the tech inventor Steve Jobs. It has almost reached the status of internet meme these days. The problem is that the original context of quotes like these is often absent, and that is crucial for understanding the meaning – which is emphatically not about endorsing plagiarism.
For me, the only ideas that are up for grabs are famous images or stories that are already in the public domain, and which to some extent we all have in our consciousness. Sometimes these retellings, or ‘thefts’ if you like, allow authors from marginalized backgrounds to redress some of the outdated and offensive material found in classic literature. What’s important is that artists ‘stealing’ in this way wear their influences openly, and do not try to hide anything.
D. This saying has been echoed throughout history by many masters, proving its wisdom. What it tells us is that there is no such thing as an original idea, but this is a notion modern young artists resent. For them, the recipe for success would seem to involve finding something that’s never been done before. Perhaps this is understandable in an era where trends are endlessly revolving doors – the same music beats, fashion trends and fictional tropes endlessly ebbing and flowing. However, the practised artist does not mistake originality for success. They understand that all forms of art are made to be consumed and no one is interested in consuming something completely unrecognisable. This is why no art should be made in a vacuum. It requires context, experience and intention to make it worth expressing.
In which text does the writer say the following :
Bringing a masterpiece from the past up to date can allow unacceptable content to be removed.
D
Some people incorrectly believe that novelty is something to be aimed for when making art.
D
There are those who use the saying ‘Great artists steal’ to defend their dishonest use of another’s work.
D
The origin of the quote, ‘Good artists borrow, great artists steal’ is uncertain.
D
Taking an idea from someone else can be a legitimate creative activity as long as the idea is transformed in some way.
D
It is puzzling that the use of another’s ideas should be characterised as theft.
D
The reworking of existing ideas is justifiable as long as the sources are familiar to the audience.
LanguageCert Academic Test (Reading)
D
