Erasure
Erasing the Author (Title Page)
The creative act of erasure is a very unique literary tool in which an individual utilizes the words of another writer, or removes/replaces the words of another to create an alternate work. Many writers and poets have this ability to still be descriptive while utilizing random words. It could be something as simple as family vacation or a tribute to a fellow writer or poet. The ability to create something new from something existing is really quite extraordinary but does raise the question who is the final author? Within this paper we will explore the art of erasure and answer the questions that result from the investigation. What is ownership? Is ownership the one who first creates a piece of work and never revisits it? Can ownership be a dedication to a piece of work that results in making it better? Well according to a friend of Wendy Richmond 's, “Ownership means being involved with something, putting in an investment of energy, caring and learning. You own what you are committed to” Richmond, W, What Do You Own?,(2009, January 1). Every piece of art that is created is even in the most minute way , inspired but an artist or writer that has come before them. A style that you paint or the way that you write can be influenced by the greats that you learned in school ( elementary, middle school, high school, and even college) . Wendy goes on to explaining her process in erasure and one of the quotes from someone she admires says it best, “It’s not a negation, it’s a celebration. It’s just... (dramatic pause) ...the idea!” Richmond, W, What Do You Own? , (2009, January 1). Ideas can come from all over the place, ideas are not something you can pay with or trade with, they are celebrations of one 's experiences , celebrations of artists , of life. For you to own something means you celebrate it and to take an idea and make it your own celebrates the original
The creative act of erasure is a very unique literary tool in which an individual utilizes the words of another writer, or removes/replaces the words of another to create an alternate work. Many writers and poets have this ability to still be descriptive while utilizing random words. It could be something as simple as family vacation or a tribute to a fellow writer or poet. The ability to create something new from something existing is really quite extraordinary but does raise the question who is the final author? Within this paper we will explore the art of erasure and answer the questions that result from the investigation. What is ownership? Is ownership the one who first creates a piece of work and never revisits it? Can ownership be a dedication to a piece of work that results in making it better? Well according to a friend of Wendy Richmond 's, “Ownership means being involved with something, putting in an investment of energy, caring and learning. You own what you are committed to” Richmond, W, What Do You Own?,(2009, January 1). Every piece of art that is created is even in the most minute way , inspired but an artist or writer that has come before them. A style that you paint or the way that you write can be influenced by the greats that you learned in school ( elementary, middle school, high school, and even college) . Wendy goes on to explaining her process in erasure and one of the quotes from someone she admires says it best, “It’s not a negation, it’s a celebration. It’s just... (dramatic pause) ...the idea!” Richmond, W, What Do You Own? , (2009, January 1). Ideas can come from all over the place, ideas are not something you can pay with or trade with, they are celebrations of one 's experiences , celebrations of artists , of life. For you to own something means you celebrate it and to take an idea and make it your own celebrates the original
References: 1. Richmond, W. (2009, January 1). What Do You Own?.Communication Arts. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from http://www.commarts.com/columns/what-you-own 2. Goldsmith, K. (2011, September 11). Uncreative Writing. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from https://chronicle.com/article/Uncreative-Writing/128908/ 3. Colton, C. (1820, January 1). Many Things In Few Words. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/imitation-is-the-sincerest-form-of-flattery.html 4. Appropriation (art). (2014, April 25).Wikipedia. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appropriation_(art) 5. Melville, H. (1957).Moby Dick or the white whale. New York: Viking Press. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public.Mel2Mob.html 6. ERASURES. (n.d.).Erasures. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from http://erasures.wavepoetry.com/