Remix
- Tianna Morin
- Oct 9, 2017
- 2 min read
Hello! Back again. Today we are looking at remixing, which is when you take a piece of media and alter it from its original state by adding, removing, and/or changing it. Obviously, there are many different remixes and “versions” of the same pieces of work. I think we can agree that there are many benefits to remixing, and beautiful new pieces can be created from doing so. Usually with the best cases, like with remixes of songs for example, the original piece’s publicity has calmed down, so remixes allow for a resurfacing of that original work. I believe remixing can be done well, with good intentions behind the new piece of work you are trying to create. Without remixing, we would be unable to build upon certain ideas- limiting our creative process! Composing is limited when it comes to remixing because of the “copying” factor. If you want your piece to speak for you and your creative process, it is better that you use remixing lightly, and only use it where you need that creative background to help your project. There is a line, and you must find this to find yourself still composing a relatively original piece for your audience. Just recently, I found this new song called “Jump” by Lupe Fiasco that I have been blasting in the gym. I am a big fan of the beat, so looking up the music video I was surprised to learn that the original beat came from the song “Bla Bla Bla” by Gigi D'agostino. With over 1 million views on “Jump”, this song is reaching an audience that otherwise would not have been exposed to the original song. Another great example of an assemblage is in the book “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrnes. In this book, she discusses Law of Attraction, and all the information she has accumulated about it over time. She credits some of the greatest artists, poets, scientists, and philosophers. In the book, she pieces together information that already existed and that she accumulated, but she does so tastefully. The entire book is her rendition of ancient information! Laws like Copyright and defenses like Fair Use function to protect individual work, while also protecting the ability for ideas and thoughts to build off of each other. There is a “guideline” that these laws try to find when it comes to different pieces. To ensure that re-using and transformation of texts works for you, keep in mind your own work’s integrity, originality, and function. Pay attention to why you chose to use parts of other’s work, how it contributes to yours, and how you are contributing back to the original piece. Remixing can make beautiful new art for us to enjoy, as long as we play it right!
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