The Joy of Stealing - investigating the creative theft

Abstract

This thesis investigates the relationship between sampling and illustration. It looks into how the need to conceal one’s source material affects the work process and end result. Through a series of collaborative experiments to portray music by visual sampling the project evaluates the importance of both the act of sampling and the act of concealing the sample. It concludes that both sampling and the concealment of it are in fact essential for the illustrator’s practice and for creativity at large. The thesis also discusses how creativity and sampling can conflict with intellectual property rights. It looks at both problems and solutions within this conflict and proposes a more generous attitude.