Appropriation- Know what it is

"Appropriation is a word that is used by media artists to describe the visual or rhetorical action of taking over the meaning of something that is already known, by way of visual reference. For example, Andy Warhol appropriated the Campbell’s soup can visual identity to make large, iconic silkscreen prints. Warhol’s soup cans are an interpretation of the physical object. The visual reference to the original soup can is important, as the viewer needs this information in order to understand the idea that the reference conveys (your personal translation of this could range from a feeling associated with something as simple as a popular American icon or comfort food to repulsion at the commodification of domestic life). By transforming not only the size and graphic palette for portraying the soup cans, but also the place where the viewer will encounter them (an art gallery as opposed to a grocery market), Warhol appropriates the original Campbell’s soup cans to create art that relates to popular culture in its iconic form. Appropriation definition in Digital Foundations

Regarding usage rights, Appropriation falls into the category of fair use if several conditions are met. These include:

• Nature of the derived work is substantially changed, or it is used to comment upon, criticize or to parody the original material. Such uses can include educational uses. 
• The meaning of the work has been changed as it appears in the collaged work. 
• Use of the appropriated material is not going to negatively impact the sales potential or value of the original material. 

Read this overview of fair use in the NOLO Law Dictionary and then check out some examples.

Also see this page with several examples of still collages that use appropriated material. 

This alteration of the Mona Lisa painting is a work by Marcel Duchamp
IT is called L.H.O.O.Q., is a pun, since the letters when pronounced in French form the sentence, Elle a chaud au cul. "Elle a chaud au cul" literally translates into "She is hot in the ass".[1]"

The appropration of logos is often used as a critique of commodity culture.

Warhol's soup cans are after something else- he was fascinated by reproduction and popularity as well as the idea of confusing the boundaries between what is thought of as high and low art.

this is by Johannes Wohnseifer:

Yasumasa Morimura is an artist who creates scenes that closely emulate famous paintings. Follow the link for more on him.















UN LOGO (above)-- below appropriated by Anonymous

thinking about SIGNS: What are the components of the new image (left)










Commenting on news: Original photo:
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Appropriating photographs to create new meaning:

by Kenneth Tin Kin Hung

This billboard was appropriated by graffitti artists who changed the perspective of the advert to that of the car..