Remix, Mashup, and Culture Jamming
Must-have VocabularyAppropriation - the practice or technique of reworking the images or styles contained in earlier works of art, especially in order to provoke critical re-evaluation of well-known pieces by presenting them in new contexts, or to challenge notions of individual creativity or authenticity in art. In essence, taking a previously existing work of art and making it one’s own in a new context.
Culture Jamming - the act of transforming products of mass media to produce commentary about the original work, using the original medium's communication method. A form of public activism generally in opposition to commercialism, corporate culture, and dominant politics. The goal of culture jamming is to create a contrast between corporate or mass media images and the realities or perceived negative contributions of corporate and mass media culture.
Database Cinema – a nonlinear form of cinema in which discrete elements are pulled from a database to create a film work. Often, this strategy encourages greater interactivity and control on the part of the user.
Détournement – a “turning around,” especially by removing an image from its original context and placing it in a new one in order to give it a new meaning.
Machinima (“machine cinema” or “machine animation”) – a form of artistic game modification in which video games are used to create short animated “films” instead of using professional animation software or techniques. A form of “emergent gameplay,” in which games are used for unexpected purposes.
Mashup - a video that is edited from more than one source to appear as one unified product, producing a new meaning from the original sources. A form of collage.
Meme – a unit of cultural transmission, or a unit of imitation. On the Internet, a meme is a basic idea that is passed from one individual to the next and subjected to mutation, adaptation, remix, etc. In other words, it is an idea that evolves.
Remix – a recombined audio recording or video production that produces a modified work with a new meaning.